Recover from Mental Health and Behavioral Health Conditions
Depression Treatment in Costa Mesa
Serving the Orange County Area
Many people face feelings of deep sadness from time to time. But, these feelings experienced chronically can be a sign of a mental health condition.
Dealing with a major depressive disorder can be rather debilitating, negatively affecting the way people think, feel and act. Fortunately, depression is a treatable condition with many treatment options available.
If you or someone you love has been struggling through a depressed state for an extended period of time, give Safe & Sound Treatment in Costa Mesa a call. Our experienced and compassionate staff can help you put depression into remission.
Understanding Depression
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a serious mood disorder that can cause severe symptoms that affect people both physically, mentally, and behaviorally. It is typically caused by unavoidable complex factors.
Depression is the most common mental disorder. In fact, about 8.4% of U.S. adults experienced a depressive episode in 2020 alone. And, roughly 19 million teens and adults in the U.S. experience depression on the average year.
While so many people commonly experience depression, not every person experiences depression the same way. And, there are a number of varying symptoms that a person with depression may experience.
Symptoms of Depression
Symptoms of depression range from mild to severe. For these symptoms to be categorized as a depressive disorder, they must be present for at least 2 weeks at a time.
Common depressive symptoms include:
- Hopelessness
- Feelings of guilt
- Cognitive trouble
- Fatigue
- Physical aches and pains
- Irregular sleeping patterns
- Lost interest in enjoyable activities
- Sluggishness
- Agitation
- Suicidal thoughts
Causes of Depression
Depression is a complex illness that is not experienced the same way in everyone who experiences it. And, each person may have gone through unique circumstances that resulted in their depression. Still, there are common themes that people with depression face.
Common causes for depression include:
- Biochemistry — abnormalities in serotonin, dopamine, or other hormones.
- Genetics — and family history of depression make a person more susceptible.
- Trauma — especially when experienced at a young age, can cause a person to react more extremely to certain stresses and fears.
- Life Events — i.e. a death, traumatic experiences, isolation, changes in lifestyle.
- Financial standing — A lack of financial security can provoke emotional responses.
- Health Conditions — such as an injury, psychiatric condition, or life-threatening illnesses.
- Substance Abuse — can cause imbalances in hormones and provoke negative emotions.
- Prescription Drugs — can sometimes depression as a side effect.
Depression Types
As it has been mentioned above, depression is experienced differently by different people. Moreover, depression can be classified into different types.
Some forms of depression outside of major depressive disorder include the following:
Persistent Depressive Disorder
Persistent depressive disorder, also referred to as dysthymia, is depression that lasts for at least two years. A person with persistent depression disorder may have bouts of more severe depression, but mild to moderate symptoms must be consistently present.
Seasonal Depression
As the name insists, seasonal depression comes in seasons — typically during the winter. This tends to happen to people because of the lack of sunlight they may be getting, and social withdrawal that may come in winter months.
Psychotic Depression
This less common form of depression is accompanied by delusions or (rarely) hallucinations. Psychotic depression is severe and pairs with a false sense of reality — typically delusions of guilt, other illness, or poverty.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression affects new mothers (and even fathers), due to hormonal changes and stress that comes with have a newborn baby. These “baby blues” typically come and go. But for some, they can last up to 9 months post birth.
Treating Depression
Though depression is a complex disease that can take time to overcome, it is treatable. There are effective treatment options available for even the most severe types of depression.
Most depression symptoms can be treated effectively with psychotherapy or medication, especially a combination of the two.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is the standard go-to treatment for people treating their depression for the first time. Forms of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, allow people to overcome behaviors that lead to depression.
A person with depression may fall victim to a cyclical behavioral pattern that worsens or activates depressive symptoms. When a person feels depressed, they are more prone to behaviors that worsen their depression.
Psychotherapy and education can help give the person the tools and coping mechanisms they need to overcome depression.
Medications
Antidepressant medications are able to help the majority of people struggling with depression when talk therapy doesn’t do enough. They are able to balance out the neurotransmitters in the brain that are associated with mood — mainly serotonin.
One thing to note about antidepressant medications is that they do not work right away. While antidepressants begin “working” immediately, their antidepressant effects generally do not provide relief until about 2 to 4 weeks.
This is why it is important to give your medications a working chance. Though, you should of course cease use and talk to your doctor if you are experiencing moderate to severe side effects. It is not uncommon for someone with depression to try multiple antidepressants before finding one that is suitable for them.
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FAQ's
The most effective treatments for depression typically include psychotherapy, particularly CBT and interpersonal therapy, medication (antidepressants), and lifestyle changes. The best approach often involves a combination of these treatments.
The time it takes for depression treatment to work can vary. Antidepressants may take 2-6 weeks to begin reducing symptoms, while some may feel improvements with therapy in a similar timeframe. Full benefits may take several months.
Yes, mild to moderate depression can often be effectively treated without medication through therapy, lifestyle adjustments, and support. Severe depression may require medication for effective treatment.
Regular physical activity, a nutritious diet, adequate sleep, reducing alcohol and caffeine intake, and engaging in social activities can all help reduce symptoms of depression.
