Depression is a serious medical disorder that can have a profound impact on a person’s thinking, behavior, and emotional state. Depression that meets the criteria for a clinical diagnosis, often known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, frequently occurs in tandem with substance abuse problems. Many people who struggle with depression may experiment with different substances in an effort to treat their condition on their own, which can quickly develop to addiction. The good news is that treatment centers for those with dual diagnoses in Sacramento and Lincoln, California, are ready and able to provide assistance.

Get in touch with the kind and compassionate staff at A Better Path Treatment Programs by calling their number (916-209-3792), whether you or someone dear to you is battling with a disorder related to depression.

Understanding Depression

A depression treatment program that takes a holistic and comprehensive approach is the most effective way to handle the wide range of depressive illnesses that can be properly treated in the Sacramento and Lincoln areas of California. Even though it’s normal for people of all ages to go through phases of feeling down, clinical depression is a more severe and persistent form of the ailment.

Depression is not a sign of weakness, nor is it simply feeling sad for a short period of time. It is much more than that. Depression is not something that can be simply shaken off by individuals who have a depression problem. It presents itself as an overwhelming sense of melancholy and a declining interest in the pleasures of everyday living.

Depression can cause a person to struggle with a range of negative emotions, including worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness. These feelings may last for a considerable amount of time, perhaps years at a time in some cases. Even while there is no one-and-done treatment for this condition, there are a variety of treatment options available to help manage symptoms and find the joy in life.

Causes of Depression

People frequently hold the belief that depression can be traced back to a straightforward chemical imbalance in the brain. Nevertheless, the reality is much more complicated. According to a number of studies, the following are some of the possible reasons of depression:

• Chemistry that is out of whack in the brain.
• Biological predispositions (such as a history of depression in the family).
• Encounters in one’s life that are stressful or painful.
• The brain’s inability to regulate emotions effectively.
• Particular diseases or the effects of becoming older.
• Differences between the sexes (women are more likely to suffer from depression than males).
• Certain prescribed drugs.
• Misuse of drugs and alcohol.

The beginning of depression can be caused by the convergence of a number of these risk factors. Chemical interactions, the likes of which govern both our moods and our senses, play a significant function as well.

Symptoms of Depression

A person needs to exhibit at least five of the following symptoms for a minimum of two weeks in order to be diagnosed with depression:

• Almost always a miserable disposition, particularly first thing in the morning.
• Constant sensations of exhaustion and lack of energy.
• Constant negative emotions of shame and worthlessness.
• Negativism and a complete lack of hope.
• Difficulties with concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things.
• Sleep patterns that aren’t regular, whether they’re too long or too short.
• A persistent lack of interest in a wide variety of pursuits.
• Recurring concerns of dying or killing oneself.
• Having an uneasy feeling or being excessively lethargic.
• Changes in weight that are statistically significant.

Irritability, feelings of emptiness, recurrent stomach difficulties, or inexplicable physical discomfort may also be associated with this condition.

Treatment for Depression at A Better Path

Treatment programs in Sacramento and Lincoln, California, such as those offered by A Better Path Treatment Programs, are able to make use of pharmaceuticals in order to correct chemical imbalances in patients. In addition, there are a variety of therapeutic approaches that make up the spectrum of therapy options for mood disorders including depression. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (often known as CBT) is a popular method of treatment that aims to assist patients in replacing destructive thought patterns with more constructive ones. They are provided with fundamental life skills along the course of this therapy.

At A Better Path Treatment Programs, our dedication shines through in the form of the all-encompassing support, resources, and knowledge that we provide for our patients in order to ensure that they are able to successfully treat their depression. People who come to this location can take advantage of partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), psychiatric care, treatments for dual diagnosis, and a variety of other specialized services.