Depression Treatment
Depression
Depression is a common mood disorder that has been called the “common cold of mental illness.” According to a 2025 study released by the Centers for Disease Control’s National Center for Health Statistics, depression rates were higher in women (16%) than in men (10.1%). Adolescents were the exception to the rule in the researchers’ observed trends: females aged 12-19 had depression rates of 26.5%, more than double that of males of similar age (12.2%).
The good news is that depression is that people who are depressed respond well to treatment. Whether you have a substance abuse disorder along with depression or not, Canyon Vista is here to help.
What is Depression?
Depression negatively affects how a person perceives the world around them. While it’s normal to feel sad or “blue” sometimes, depression is not the same as these feelings. It is also not the same as the normal feelings we have when grieving the loss of a loved one.
Symptoms of Depression
Each person living with depression experiences symptoms differently. The symptoms can vary from mild to severe, and may include the following:
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating
- Experiencing excessive guilt
- Feeling empty
- Feeling sad or hopeless
- Feeling worthless
- Forgetfulness
- Handwringing
- Inability to sit still, pacing
- Irritability
- Losing interest in hobbies or activities that were previously enjoyed
- Physical aches and pains
- Significant change in appetite (eating much more or less than usual)
- Slowed movements or speech (significant enough to be observed by others)
- Thoughts about death
- Thoughts about self-harm/taking one’s life or suicide attempts
- Trouble making minor decisions
- Weight loss or gain (unrelated to dieting)
These symptoms must be present most of the day, every day for at least two weeks. Along with these symptoms, a clear change in day-to-day functioning at school, work, in personal relationships, or in hobbies must be present before a medical professional can provide a diagnosis of major depression.
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Risk Factors for Depression
Depression can affect anyone. It doesn’t matter how successful someone is or how good their life appears on the “outside,” someone could be living with a severe case of depression requiring treatment. Experts know that multiple factors play a role in who is at higher risk for becoming depressed:
- Genetics: Depression tends to run in families. If one identical twin develops depression, the other twin has a 70% chance of becoming depressed at some point during their lifetime.
- Biochemical Considerations: The levels of specific brain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, may contribute to depression symptoms.
- Environmental Factors: Someone who has been continuously exposed to factors like abuse, neglect, poverty, or violence may be at higher risk for becoming depressed.
- Personality Traits: Someone with low self-esteem, who is pessimistic in general or who is easily overwhelmed by stress, may be more likely to be depressed during their lifetime.
Why Don’t People Living with Depression Seek Treatment?
The short answer is that depression robs those living with it of their energy, motivation, and their self-worth. Someone who isn’t sleeping well (either because they can’t get to sleep or they wake up during the night and can’t get back to sleep) is going to feel dragged out during the day. The longer the depression symptoms go on, the worse the symptoms of fatigue are going to feel.
Feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness accompany the sleep disturbances. Someone who is telling themselves that they aren’t worth much and who is experiencing the world through a lens that is interpreting all their experiences in that way isn’t going to be able to ask for help.
They are too far down in a black hole of their mind’s making.
Some people who are depressed don’t seek treatment because they are convinced that no one can help them. They may feel as though they are beyond help and the only answer to how bad they are feeling is to end their life. A depressed person’s fascination with death is very real; even if they don’t want to die, they want to end their emotional pain and the perceived burden they are on their family and friends.
Depression and Substance Abuse Disorder
Depression and substance abuse disorder (formerly referred to as drug and alcohol addiction) are linked. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), about 50% of people living with depression also have a substance abuse disorder.
Some people experiencing low moods, difficulty concentrating, and sleep difficulties may turn to drugs and alcohol to relieve their symptoms. They may not find relief when using chemicals, which leads to higher levels of drug and alcohol use. This behavior opens up a slippery slope to a full-on addiction.
In other situations, the person may start taking drugs or using alcohol (or both) to cope with the stressors of life, traumas, or violence. Their substance use may, depending on their drug or alcohol use, lead to depression.
Canyon Vista Recovery Treatment for Depression
We help those who are living with a mental health concern and clients who have depression and a substance abuse disorder (a dual diagnosis). In the latter case, we treat both health concerns concurrently. Each person receives a custom treatment program. Our treatment plans may include holistic, clinical, psychiatric, and medical components.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment Plan.
A client with a co-occurring disorder will complete our medically supervised detoxification. Clients are monitored by our medical and therapeutic professionals to minimize any discomfort. Once detox is completed, the client is evaluated and a diagnosis of their mental health disorder is made. A treatment plan is put in place.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
With the help of a therapist, clients in CBT learn how to challenge their negative thoughts. Eventually, over 12-20 sessions, the clients learn how to lower the power the negative thoughts have over them. The therapist teaches the client how to challenge the negative thoughts, interpret the emotions behind them, and fully understand the situation.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
This form of therapy may be used to treat clients with depression. It is effective for people who have trouble regulating and managing their emotions. DBT focuses on helping participants learn healthier ways to cope with their intense emotions.
DBT works by having the client learn acceptance (who they are and the challenges they have) and the benefits of making changes. The therapist helps by teaching them new skills to improve handling their emotions. The process involves individual therapy sessions and group training.
Psychiatric Care
Some people become uncomfortable when the word “psychiatrist” comes up. That shouldn’t be the case. A psychiatrist can conduct assessments on clients, discuss treatment plans, and counsel patients. They can also prescribe medications. Depression medications take several weeks to take effect. A client’s concentration levels, appetite, and sleep may start to improve before they report any significant change in mood.
Healthy Diet
Diet plays a role in healing someone with depression. Either the person doesn’t eat very much or they overeat. They may be drawn to high fat, sugary foods that give them comfort in the moment. At Canyon Vista Recovery Center, we offer a healthy, balanced diet.
Get Help for Depression Today
Depression isn’t a permanent condition. Discover more about how you can find help for yourself or a loved one by giving us a call today.
Canyon Vista Recovery Center is dedicated to helping individuals overcome addiction and mental health disorders to build healthier, happier lives. With a personalized, compassionate approach, clients are empowered to take control of their recovery and embrace the possibilities of a brighter future.
