Chattanooga Depression Treatment
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Tennessee Mental Health Programs
If you’re struggling with depression, you’re not alone in your suffering. World data reports that 264 million people live with depression worldwide, and in the United States around 17.3 million adults reported having at least one major depressive episode in 2017 alone, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Whether you’ve developed depression recently or have lived with it for years, you may understand how challenging it can be to do simple tasks and get through the day. Many people end up turning to drugs or alcohol to cope with their depression, while some develop depression as a direct result of their addiction.
If you’re living with both depression and a substance use disorder, our caring staff at Chattanooga Recovery Center is here to offer our resources and compassion. We offer programs that focus specifically on treating depression and can be altered to fit your needs, as we understand depression is experienced by every person differently. Dual diagnosis treatment is a necessary step if you wish to recover from mental illness and addiction, and though it may be challenging, our facility is comprised of staff members and residents alike who can stand by your side as you take your next steps towards a healthier life.
Contact our facility online or by phone at (423) 226-5331 to learn more about our treatment programs and therapies. Our holistic approach to treatment allows us to treat every aspect of our residents’ health.
At Chattanooga Recovery Center, we walk alongside you as you work to overcome your addiction to live a sober life.
What is Depression?
Everyone gets sad from time to time, whether it’s after someone they love has passed away or they’re going through a difficult life transition like a divorce or breakup. What makes a person’s sadness clinical depression, however, is when their symptoms continue for weeks or months at a time, eventually stretching into years. People living with depression are also likely to experience more intense manifestations of sadness.
There are several types of depression to be aware of, including:
- Major depressive disorder: Major depression is the most commonly diagnosed form of depression and is characterized by symptoms including an overwhelming feeling of sadness, change in appetite, insomnia or hypersomnia, recurring thoughts of death or suicide, and more. These symptoms must persist for at least two weeks and may impact a person’s social and occupational functions.
- Persistent depressive disorder: Also known as dysthymia, this type of depression is characterized by dark or sad moods that last for most of the day, every day for at least two years. Though the symptoms aren’t as severe as with major depressive disorder, major depressive episodes may occur among people suffering from persistent depressive disorder.
- Postpartum depression: This type of depression occurs among new mothers who are impacted by both the hormonal and physical changes that pregnancy and childbirth bring. Women may also feel overwhelmed by the new responsibilities that come with caring for an infant.
- Seasonal affective disorder: This disorder refers to depression experience during a specific time of year, such as winter, which is known for shorter days and a lack of sunlight. Though SAD may not be a constant presence year-round, people suffering from the disorder can experience the same symptoms as those living with major depressive disorder.
Signs of Depression
- Trouble concentrating
- Tiredness
- Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness
- Overeating or undereating
- Moody
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
Questions Your Doctor Will Have About Your Symptoms
- When did your symptoms start?
- How severe are they?
- Does your family have a history of mental health or depression?
- Do you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse?
Understanding the Relationship Between Depression & Alcohol
Because of the persistent low moods that depression brings, it makes sense for individuals to search for ways to improve their moods and provide a temporary escape. This is how many people become dependent on drugs, especially alcohol.
Alcohol is known as a mood lifter and can make individuals feel euphoric or relaxed, but it’s also a depressant that acts on the central nervous system to slow down the body. Over time, alcohol abuse can make a person’s depression worse by increasing feelings of fatigue or sadness. At least 30 to 40 percent of people struggling with alcoholism also experience depressive disorders. Alcohol also increases the likelihood and frequency of suicidal thoughts, and because it impairs a person’s judgment, people also living with depression are at a higher risk of attempting suicide.
If you or a loved one are suffering from depression and alcoholism, it’s important to seek help sooner than later. In addition to the increased risk of suicide, people who abuse alcohol over a long period of time require their brains and produce chemical changes in their bodies.
How We Can Help
Chattanooga Recovery Center is known for our holistic methods of addiction treatment. Believing that recovery looks different for everyone, we provide personalized treatment plans for each resident that strive to address every aspect of their health – not just their addiction. We also offer dual diagnosis treatment plans that can treat both addiction and mental health at the same time.
Research shows that medication is much more effective when an individual living with depression is also seeking counseling and behavioral support services. Our team can help you curb your addiction, reconnect with your loved ones, and learn healthy coping mechanisms for your depression.
Call (423) 226-5331 if you’re ready to seek help. At Chattanooga Recovery Center, our team is proud to serve residents throughout Tennessee.
