Those who are suffering from depression can experience persistent sadness and despair that make it hard to carry out daily tasks and lead to long-term setbacks. Symptoms of depression can also include difficulty concentrating, finding pleasure, and enjoying relationships. No matter how severe or discouraging a person’s symptoms might be, depression treatment is available and can make a difference in their quality of life.
At our newly built facility, Bronson Behavioral Health Hospital, located in Battle Creek, Michigan, we provide clinically excellent care for adults age 18 and older who are suffering from depression. The qualified and compassionate staff at Bronson can help you stabilize and lay the groundwork for lifelong healing.
Signs & Symptoms of Depression
Everyone experiences sadness, but when you have depression, you experience that feeling persistently, to the point that it interferes with your ability to function and thrive. Besides sadness, there is a wide range of depression symptoms, from anger to restlessness. If you notice negative changes in your mood that are not quickly going away, it may be time to seek professional help.
Common emotional symptoms of depression include:
- Persistent sadness and feelings of emptiness
- Hopelessness about the future
- Emotional numbness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or hopelessness
- Irritability, restlessness, or agitation
- Increased sensitivity to criticism or rejection
- Thoughts of death by suicide
Potential cognitive symptoms of depression include:
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Slowed thinking or speaking
- Excessive worry
- Reduced creativity
- Negative or distorted thinking patterns such as pessimism or self-blame
- Lack of motivation or decreased productivity
- Poor problem-solving skills
Physical symptoms of depression can include:
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Slowed movements
- Changes in appetite, often resulting in weight loss or gain
- Sleep disturbances (insomnia or excessive sleeping)
- Physical aches and pains
- Digestive problems
- Decreased libido
- Chronic health conditions
The presence of one or two of these symptoms alone does not necessarily indicate clinical depression. However, if you or someone you know has been experiencing more than a few of these symptoms consistently for two weeks or longer, it is best to seek professional help from a mental health professional who can offer an accurate diagnosis.
Effects of Depression
Depression is a complex and serious mental health disorder that can significantly impact various aspects of a person’s life. The effects of depression can be emotional, mental, physical, and social, varying in severity from mild to severe. The following are common effects of depression:
- Withdrawal from social activities and relationships: Several symptoms of untreated depression can lead to social withdrawal, including loss of interest, negative thinking patterns, emotional exhaustion, and fear of rejection.
- Difficulty maintaining personal relationships: Depression symptoms can affect a person’s communication, lead to withdrawal, and cause emotional disconnection, which can, in turn, damage relationships.
- Decreased productivity at work or school: Decreased focus, fatigue, and poor decision-making are symptoms of depression that can lead to decreased productivity at work or school.
- Risk for substance abuse or addiction: Depression can increase a person’s risk for developing a substance use disorder.
- Decreased attention to self-care: Those who have depression may neglect personal hygiene, get poor sleep, and stop doing physical activity.
- Increase in risk-taking behaviors: Because depression can impair decision-making, it can cause poor judgment, which can lead to risky behaviors or self-destructive tendencies.
- Higher risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors: Depression can increase the risk for suicidal ideation due to negative thinking patterns, intensified emotional pain, social withdrawal, and poor problem-solving skills. If you are experiencing thoughts about suicide, it is important to get professional help. Talking to a qualified expert can help you receive the insight and direction you need to heal.
The combination of these effects can lead to lowered self-esteem and daily distress. Seeking professional treatment at the right place can be crucial to having an improved quality of life. With an accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and professional guidance, you can experience more daily joy and reconnect with loved ones. If depression symptoms are negatively impacting your life, consider receiving care at an inpatient depression treatment center such as Bronson Behavioral Health.
Depression Statistics
The 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported the following depression statistics:
- 21 million American adults experienced at least one major depressive episode in the past year.
- Adults ages 18-25 experience symptoms of depression more than any other age group.
- More than 10% of women and 6% of men reported depressive symptoms in the past year.
- Around 66% of adults who had depression received treatment in the past year.
- Approximately 17% of adolescents ages 13-17 in the United States had one major depressive episode in the previous year.
Although depression affects many Americans, only a little more than half of those who have it receive treatment. Seeking care from a professional behavioral healthcare provider can make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you. There’s no need to continue struggling; you can get help and find lasting healing.
Benefits of Depression Treatment
Even though untreated depression can be distressing and discouraging, there is hope in knowing that help is available. Potential benefits of depression treatment include:
- Improved mental health: Depression treatment can help patients learn how to manage symptoms of depression. With effective care, you can experience an improvement in your overall mental health and well-being.
- Better quality of life: Depression often interferes with various aspects of a person’s life, including their relationships, work or school performance, and enjoyment of activities. Through treatment, you can regain the ability to engage fully in life.
- Improved relationships: Untreated depression can lead to difficulties connecting with loved ones. Getting professional care can help you repair these relationships.
- Better physical health: Depression can impact your physical health, leading to challenges such as disturbed sleep, changes in appetite, fatigue, and a weakened immune system. Learning to manage depression symptoms can promote overall physical well-being.
- Reduced risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors: Receiving professional help, especially in severe cases, can significantly reduce the risk for death by suicide by providing you with the necessary support and skills to overcome challenging thoughts.
- Enhanced coping skills: Depression treatment often includes modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which can help you develop effective coping skills.
- Stronger support network: Receiving depression treatment can give you access to a network of professionals, such as psychiatrists and counselors, and support groups of peers who are going through similar experiences.
- Prevention of recurrence: By addressing depression through treatment, you can learn strategies and techniques to prevent or better manage future depressive episodes.
The care team at Bronson Behavioral Health uses the most current evidence-based therapies and services to help you achieve your treatment goals. Our customized care plans can lead to life-changing improvements, including stronger interpersonal relationships, better performance at school or work, and greater well-being.
Our inpatient depression treatment plans may include the following:
- Individual and family therapy sessions as needed
- Medication management services, including daily meetings with a psychiatrist and assistance from nurses and staff
- Daily group therapy sessions
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
You can receive tailored care from the talented staff at Bronson Behavioral Health. We aim to provide you with clinically excellent treatment that promotes your health and happiness.
Why Choose Our Inpatient Depression Treatment Center
Choosing to receive depression treatment takes courage and hope. If you or someone you love is struggling with depression, an inpatient treatment center could provide the kind of intensive care it takes to stabilize and support you. Our depression treatment center in Battle Creek, Michigan, can help you build the foundation for ongoing improvement and growth.
Inpatient depression treatment at Bronson includes the following features:
- Comprehensive care
- Multidisciplinary treatment team
- Daily support
- Cutting-edge medical technology
- Cleanliness
- Safe and controlled environment
- Evidence-based therapies
- Daily medication management delivered by a variety of experts
- Nutritious meals
- Comfortable rooms
- Discharge planning
- Stays of approximately five to seven days
Our inpatient treatment center allows patients to focus wholly on improving their mental health as our team of medical and behavioral health professionals works together to address their specific needs.
If you are considering an inpatient treatment center for yourself or your loved one, please reach out to a Bronson Behavioral Health staff member. We can answer any questions you might have about whether inpatient care is the right choice for you.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Bronson Behavioral Health Hospital.
