What does depression feel like? If you are among the many that feel down quite often but aren’t sure if you have depression, you may not be able to easily answer this question. Finding assistance from a depression treatment program is the first step in your journey to wholeness if you do have either of these conditions.
Do you ever have days where you feel down and sad? Maybe you feel like you’re dragging your feet the whole day. You may wonder if it’s depression. Many people suffer from depression in America. In fact, depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States with approximately 16.1 million adults affected. A good chunk of people with this disorder also has a co-occurring condition, which means a substance use disorder. Another group of people with depression also have anxiety disorders too since these two conditions seem to go together.
Get the Answer to, “What Does Depression Feel Like?”
Everyone has sad feelings from time to time, especially if something bad happens. However, this doesn’t automatically mean you have depression. Depression feels like more than just sadness. When you are clinically depressed you have more than just a passing sad feeling. It goes much deeper than that.
Here are some of the signs of depression:
- Deep sadness that doesn’t go away
- Anxious or empty feelings
- Loneliness that is long-lasting and not related to a recent loss
- Appetite irregularities (eating too much or not being able to eat)
- Digestive issues that don’t get better even when taking medicine
You may also feel:
- No pleasure in the things you used to enjoy
- Pains that are unexplainable
- Moodiness
- Sleep irregularities (either too much or too little)
- Feeling hopeless or irritable
- Problems with concentration or making decisions
In addition to these issues, depression is more long-lasting or persistent. It also isn’t related to any particular situation or circumstance in life.
Treatment for Depression
Treating a depression diagnosis often requires the aid of dual diagnosis treatment. Many people with depression resort to substance use to numb their depression. However, this only leads to other problems, such as a substance use disorder. The best way to treat depression is through a comprehensive treatment program that includes both individual therapy and medication. During individual therapy, a therapist will help you understand the root causes of your depression and develop healthier coping skills. Additionally, they can help you identify any triggers that might bring on symptoms of depression.
Medication can also be very helpful in treating depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are one type of antidepressant that is commonly prescribed. This type of medication helps to balance the levels of serotonin in the brain, which can help reduce symptoms of depression. When both medications and therapy are used together, they can be very effective in treating depression. It is important to recognize that treatment for depression takes time and patience.
Reach Out for Help Today
When you or someone you love is struggling with mental health and/or substance use, finding help is the first step in recovery. Completing a treatment program greatly improves your chances of achieving life-long sobriety and decreases your risk of experiencing a relapse. We also treat mental health issues as a primary diagnosis, including:
- PTSD
- ADHD
- Bipolar disorder
- Panic disorder
Our holistic approach never loses sight of the mind, body, and spirit of your child. They will find healing within our supportive and inclusive community that is always ready to help them with many common mental health conditions, such as personality disorders, self-harm, depression, and anxiety.
Anxiety and Addiction
How do these two problems develop and influence each other? It often starts when a person has a high level of anxiety about something in their life and does not know how to handle the emotions associated with that stress. They may turn to alcohol, marijuana, or other substances to calm their nerves. This can lead to an addiction, as the person continues to use substances as a way of coping with their anxiety.
The cycle is sometimes difficult to break, as the person may feel that using substances is the only way to ease their anxiety. If not treated, addiction and anxiety can lead to serious issues with physical, mental and emotional health. It is important to seek help from a professional if you are struggling with either of these issues. Professional treatment can help with both addiction and anxiety, helping you to manage the symptoms of both and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
Depression Therapies That Can Help You
At Crestview, our caring and compassionate staff is ready to help you on your journey to comprehensive healing. At our beautiful facility, you will find a tranquil atmosphere that makes it easy to move forward in life. Trained clinicians will walk beside you on your journey. We offer a broad range of therapy options, some of which include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
- Trauma therapy
- Family therapy
- Mindfulness meditation therapy
Get Help With Depression Today
Don’t let depression drag your life down in despair. Now that you know what depression feels like, you can overcome these problems. Find help at a quality rehab center. Contact us at 866.262.0531 and we’ll guide you to the pathway of recovery.
