Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States, causing persistent sadness and a loss of interest that can make recovery feel impossible. The condition is especially common among veterans.
According to VA data:
- About 1 in 3 veterans who visit the VA have symptoms of depression.
- 1 in 5 display symptoms that require further evaluation for major depression.
- As many as 1 in 8 have major depression, requiring professional treatment.
Understanding Depression as an Illness
If you are depressed, it might feel like life is not worth living. The condition can lead to a wide range of physical and emotional problems, and it’s often exacerbated by well-meaning people encouraging you to “snap out of it.” However, just like you couldn’t “snap out of” a broken leg, depression is a real illness.
Needing a depression treatment program is nothing to be ashamed of. It does not matter how “good” your life seems from the outside; people from all walks of life seek inpatient treatment to manage their recovery.
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause of depression is complex and not linked to a single source. Generally, it is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental drivers.
Causes of Depression
According to the Mayo Clinic, a number of the following factors may increase the risk for developing depression and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD):
- Complications Before Birth: Exposure to certain drugs, toxins, stressors, and medical conditions while in the womb may be linked to mental illnesses later in life.
- Genetics: A complex variety of genes and inherited traits can influence brain chemistry and hormones, making an individual more susceptible to depressive triggers.
- Environmental Factors: Life’s obstacles, challenging situations, and personal triggers are strongly linked to depressive symptoms. While these events are often out of one’s control, an individual’s response to them is also significant.
Risk Factors for Depression
While anyone can develop depression, certain factors can increase a person’s vulnerability. The presence of one or more of these does not guarantee depression will occur, but it does raise the risk.
- History of Abuse: Past physical, sexual, or emotional trauma is a significant risk factor that can increase vulnerability to depression later in life.
- Age: While depression can occur at any age, older adults are often at higher risk due to factors like social isolation, increased health complications, and grief from the loss of loved ones.
- Grief and Major Loss: The intense sadness from losing a loved one, ending a significant relationship, or experiencing a major financial or personal loss can trigger a depressive episode.
- Gender: Women are diagnosed with depression more often than men, which may be linked to hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy (prenatal and postpartum), and menopause.
- Chronic Illness: The ongoing stress, pain, and lifestyle changes associated with managing a serious medical condition like heart disease, cancer, or diabetes can contribute to the development of depression.
- Socioeconomic Status: Living with financial instability, housing insecurity, and other persistent daily worries associated with a lower socioeconomic status can be a major source of chronic stress, increasing depression risk.
- Certain Medications: Side effects from some prescription drugs, such as certain blood pressure medications, hormones, or steroids, can trigger or worsen symptoms of depression.
- Certain Personality Traits: Individuals with traits like low self-esteem, high self-criticism, pessimism, or a tendency to be easily overwhelmed by stress may be more susceptible to depression.
- Relationship Conflicts: Ongoing disputes or difficulties with family members, partners, or friends can be a significant source of emotional distress that contributes to depression.
- Sleep Disorders: The relationship between sleep and depression is strong and cyclical. Chronic sleep issues like insomnia can trigger or exacerbate depression, while depression itself often disrupts sleep patterns.
- Social Isolation: Lacking a strong social support network, feeling lonely, or being isolated from family and community significantly increases the risk of depression.
- Major Life Events: Significant events, even positive ones like getting married or starting a new job, can act as major stressors. Negative events like divorce, job loss, or retirement are also common triggers.
- Substance Abuse: A strong link exists between substance abuse and depression. Many people use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate symptoms, which ultimately worsens the depression and can lead to a co-occurring disorder.
Unique Risks for Veterans
In addition to general risk factors, veterans face unique challenges. During active duty, service members are often removed from their primary support systems. Furthermore, the stressful and often traumatic environment of military life, which can involve witnessing harm to oneself or others, can act as a significant catalyst for depression.
Symptoms of Depression
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), symptoms are typically present most of the day, nearly every day. They include:
- Persistently feeling sad, anxious, guilty, hopeless, or worthless
- Trouble remembering, concentrating, or making decisions
- Decreased energy, fatigue, and changes in sleep, appetite, or weight
- Unexplained aches, pains, headaches, or digestive problems
- Restlessness, irritability, or loss of interest in once-enjoyable activities
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Our Approach to Treating Depression
At Solara Mental Health, we utilize a combination of evidence-based therapies and medication management to treat depression symptoms effectively. Our approach includes:
- Individual Therapy: One-on-one sessions with a dedicated therapist to help you gain a deeper understanding of your depression and develop personal coping strategies.
- Small Group Therapy: Led by a therapist, these sessions provide a supportive environment where you can find your voice, connect with peers who understand, and give and receive support.
- Holistic Therapies: To support overall well-being and promote lasting healing, we offer a range of therapies including yoga, meditation, acupuncture, horticulture, and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR).
- Medication Management: Our licensed psychiatrist and medical team will carefully review and evaluate all medications. We treat this as a collaborative process between you and the medical team to ensure you are on the most effective medication for your specific needs.
Inpatient Depression Treatment Programs
Most depression treatment centers use a combination of medication and psychotherapy to help clients overcome depression. Inpatient depression treatment centers are staffed by a multidisciplinary team of professionals, which typically includes nurses, therapists, psychiatrists, and the dedicated support staff who keep the facilities running smoothly.
Residential Treatment for Mental Health
Many people think of residential treatment as something that is only available for substance abuse or severe mental illnesses. However, residential treatment centers for mental health are common and can provide an excellent, supportive environment as you work toward overcoming major depression.
These programs give patients a safe space to determine which medication works best for them (as this is different for everyone) and to develop coping strategies without the stressors of the outside world. The immersive nature of this care is highly effective; for many, one month in an inpatient facility can allow a person to make the same amount of progress as they would in a year of outpatient therapy.
Inpatient Psychiatric Care
As mentioned, depression recovery centers focus heavily on psychotherapy, a general term for talking about your condition and related issues with a mental health professional. It’s also known as talk therapy. While you are in our program, your psychotherapist will help you achieve several key goals.
Psychotherapy used to treat depression includes making key behavioral changes, such as:
- Replacing negative beliefs and behaviors with positive ones
- Developing effective coping skills
- Adapting to crises and navigating challenges
- Setting realistic goals for your future
- Regaining a sense of satisfaction and purpose in your life
After going through inpatient depression treatment, you’ll be able to return to your daily life with a new capability to face down difficulties and stay positive.
Inpatient Depression Treatment for Veterans
Solara Mental Health focuses on providing veterans with a supportive and safe environment to recover from depression. Our facility recognizes that each veteran has personal needs, and we customize every treatment plan to their specific diagnosis and symptoms.
Solara is a VA-contracted community care provider, giving us the unique opportunity to help veterans with their mental health needs. Once authorization is approved, we provide housing, transportation, and accommodations.
Take the Next Step Toward Recovery
If you are ready to seek inpatient treatment for depression, you have come to the right place. Taking this first step is a sign that you are ready to commit to recovery and regain control of your mental health.
Our residential treatment programs have helped many people overcome their symptoms and get back to the life they want to live. Our beautiful facilities are staffed by professionals expertly trained in the residential treatment of depression. If you have any questions or want more information about our depression treatment programs, give us a call today.