By Robert Lien, MHA
Many people as how to get help for depression. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness over 7% of adults in the United States experienced an episode of depression in 2017. Men and women alike can suffer from depression at different points in their lifetime. For some people depression will be ongoing and can last a lifetime while for others it may be situational or even seasonal. Depression can affect people from any culture and the number of people affected may be higher in the year 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19 Coronavirus. Regardless, depression can be treated and help may be more accessible than you think.
Seeking help for depression can begin with a routine physical exam from a primary care physician.
The physician can make sure there are no physical conditions contributing to the depression and may want to have lab testing done as well recommending a psychiatric evaluation from a psychiatrist. At this point the physician may also discuss and prescribe an antidepressant medication. There are common medications today that are safe and can lift a person’s mood without severe side effects. It is important to take antidepressant medication as prescribed and contact your doctor if there are any significant changes that are not good.
Depending on the severity of the depression, medication alone may not be enough.
Addressing underlying issues that are contributing to depression is an important step in the treatment for depression. Treatment that includes individual one-on-one counseling along with participation in an outpatient group therapy program can compliment medication and help provide additional support. By attending outpatient treatment for depression clients connect with others who are struggling with a similar situation. Depression is oftentimes a condition that causes isolation and loneliness so having connection with other people can help in ways the medication alone cannot.
By participating in an outpatient treatment for depression clients get to create a healthy lifestyle.
Clients in the CAST Centers PHP and IOP levels of care can better understand why they do what they do and what behaviors or thought patterns may be harmful. Our CAST Alignment Model leads to learning new coping mechanisms, tools and skills that includes daily structure. Outpatient treatment for depression allows clients to immediately put into action what they are learning. Learning a healthy daily lifestyle in conjunction with the antidepressant medications is a safe way to get relief for depression. As time goes by it is important to stay connected with the physician that is prescribing an antidepressant.
Lifestyle changes take time and that’s why outpatient treatment can last three or four months, sometimes even longer.
There’s no quick fix, however, there is hope. Find the freedom to be your best self by taking action today. Call the CAST Centers to see if your insurance can help with the cost of depression outpatient treatment.
