This final part of our three-part series on depression in women will focus on treatment options for women coping with depression.
Treatment for depression comes in several different forms. But also, when a woman is suffering from depression, it is important for her history and symptoms to be thoroughly assessed before recommending a treatment protocol.
Each woman is different and each case can vary in severity depending on the symptoms and causal factors. No matter the situation, it is important that something is done about it. If you or someone you care about is suffering from depression, you should seek professional help.
Destination Hope provides treatment for depression to our clients. Almost 100 percent of our clients with a substance abuse problem are also suffering from depression. Drug addiction and alcoholism are mental illnesses.
If you get to a point in your life where you are addicted to something, more often than not you are also suffering from depression or anxiety. Drug or alcohol abuse is a coping skill to attempt to control your negative feelings. When depression and substance abuse are present together, they should be treated at the same time at a drug or alcohol rehab that also specializes in treatment for depression.
Treatment for Depression & Recommended Protocols:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – Cognitive behavioral therapy emphasizes the important role that thinking has on our feelings and behaviors. When a woman is suffering from depression, she has irrational and negative thoughts that are impairing and disrupting her life, and preventing her from achieving certain goals.
Cognitive behavioral therapy involves working with a therapist to change a person’s way of thinking, in the hopes that it will lead to better outcomes (positive feelings and behaviors) for people suffering from depression and other mental health disorders. At Destination Hope, we provide this type of treatment in individual, group, and family therapy sessions.
Medication Management – Destination Hope has physicians and nurse practitioners on staff that can prescribe anti-depressants and other medications to clients that are in need of non-narcotic medication. In some cases, medication management in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy is the best approach.
Lifestyle Changes – There are several lifestyle changes that can help with the symptoms of depression in combination with professional help.
- Nutrition and exercise can make a big difference in mood and help with symptoms of depression. Besides being generally healthier, exercise increases endorphins and other chemicals in the brain that elevate mood, which can help in the treatment of depression. Studies also link some symptoms of depression to a lack of certain vitamins, so eating properly can also help.
- Lack of sleep can worsen some of the symptoms of depression, so a good night’s sleep is recommended to help relieve them. Most people need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night.
- Stress is a major contributing factor to depression. During treatment for depression, one may be asked to try to keep their stress levels as low as possible. If assistance is needed to learn stress management techniques, this can be addressed during therapy.
The professionals at Destination Hope are experienced and knowledgeable in dual diagnosis treatment. We can effectively treat your depression and substance abuse problem at the same time utilizing a variety of advanced treatment techniques, including the ones listed above.
Call us today if you or a loved one is suffering from depression. You don’t need to suffer alone – our counselors are here to assist you in getting the help you need.
