Benefits Of Rehab For Depression And How It Works

An estimated 5% of the global population is diagnosed with depression. When people hear about depression, they often associate it with negative emotions. However, depression far extends beyond occasional feelings of loneliness, frustration, or sadness. It is a condition that involves changes in thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.

In this article, we discuss the benefits of rehab for depression and how Sivana Bali can help you manage your depression. 

Understanding Depression

Clinically, depression is called ‘major depressive disorder (MDD).’ It is a type of mood disorder characterised by either a depressed mood or loss of interest and pleasure in activities once or previously enjoyed. These core symptoms come with a variety of physical and psychological changes, including but not limited to fatigue, weight loss, suicidal ideation, and impaired concentration that cause impairment in essential areas of daily functioning. 

Do Rehab Centres Treat Depression?

For many of us, we tend to associate rehab with treatment for substance use disorders or addictions. However, rehab can also help people with mental illness and those who are grappling with dual diagnoses or co-occurring disorders.

Rehab for depression rarely comes into our mind because a psychiatrist or psychologist typically treats the condition by prescribing medication or by conducting weekly or bi-weekly scheduled psychotherapy sessions. These standard practices of managing depressive symptoms have proven effective, as shown in various empirical evidence and clinical experience. 

However, professionals do not discount the benefit of treating depression in rehabilitation. In this structured environment, individuals can receive a more comprehensive treatment plan where they can focus on their recovery without external distractions. 

Generally, while psychotherapy, support groups, and psychiatric medications remain the gold standard in treating depression, other depressive conditions might require high-level care, such as rehabilitation. 

When to Consider a Rehab Treatment Programme for Depression

Instead of managing depression on top of work, family, and personal responsibilities, going to a residential treatment facility is a great option to allow individuals to focus on recovery. In rehab, the individual still receives medications, counselling and psychotherapy sessions, and access to support groups, with additions of holistic approaches.

Generally, here are some of the situations where rehab services can be the best choice for treating depression:

• High Risk of Self-Harm or Suicide: Individuals who have depression almost always have thoughts of harming themselves. Considering that there is an imminent danger, getting them to a safe place is essential so they can be constantly monitored. 
• Not Responding to Outpatient Treatment: Although many individuals typically respond to outpatient intervention, some people may require a high level of care, especially when they are experiencing severe physical and psychological complications. 
• Dual-Diagnoses: It is not uncommon for individuals with substance use disorders or addiction to have co-occurring mental conditions such as depression. In this situation, undergoing rehab remains the cornerstone of managing symptoms of both addiction and a mental disorder. 

Other Types of Depression Treatment

Depression is one of the conditions with a wide range of therapeutic modalities. Many professionals recommend a combination of therapy and medication to help manage symptoms of depression and promote long-term recovery.

Evidence-Based Counselling and Psychotherapy

Counselling and psychotherapy stand as gold standard treatments for people with depression. These talk therapies help them identify the causes of depression and what maintains the distress. In addition, therapists also teach them skills on how to deal with triggers and stressors. The most commonly used evidence-based approaches include cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT). 

Medication

To help accelerate recovery and manage some symptoms of depression, healthcare providers may prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) medications, which work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. This mechanism of action helps improve mood, emotion and sleep.

What Is Dual Diagnosis: Depression and Addiction? 

A dual diagnosis, also known as co-occurring disorders or comorbidity, is the simultaneous occurrence of a mental disorder and substance use disorder (SUD).

It is typical for mental health professionals across the globe to work with individuals with SUD and depression. Data show that those who have depression are at high risk of developing addiction because they tend to use substances as a way to cope with negative feelings. Meanwhile, those who have SUD are likewise at risk of depression because of the physiological effects of the substance that affect mood and emotions. 

When treating dual diagnosis, the main goal of the treatment is to reduce symptoms, promote long-term recovery, and prevent relapse.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM), people who have depression experience the following signs and symptoms:

• Depressed mood, most of the day, nearly every day
• Loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities 
• Weight loss (when not dieting) or weight gain
• Insomnia (lack of sleep) or hypersomnia (excessive sleep)
• Fatigue
• Psychomotor agitation
• Feelings of worthlessness and inappropriate guilt
• Suicidal thoughts, ideation, or behaviours
• Impaired concentration 

When to Seek Help for Depression 

Occasional experiences of negative feelings such as sadness, loneliness, frustration, or guilt are part of normal human emotions. However, you should seek treatment when these feelings become excessive and persistent and cause impairment in critical areas of functioning.

Contact Us to Learn More About Our Holistic Approach at Sivana Bali

If you are currently battling depression, we recommend that you seek early professional treatment. Here at Sivana Bali, our dedicated team is here to provide you with extraordinary care essential to depression recovery. Connect with us, and let’s start the journey together.