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Can Inpatient Depression Treatment Help Me?

Aliya on June 19, 2023

If you are one of the many people suffering from depression, it may be difficult to see through the fog of sadness and hopelessness. But understanding what depression is and how it progresses can ultimately lead to effective treatment and recovery. By gaining a better understanding of your mental health disorder, we hope that you can feel empowered to seek the help you need in an inpatient depression treatment program.

What Is Depression?

While feeling sad from time to time is normal, feeling hopeless all the time is not. Feeling sad for an extended period of time can be normal. This is especially true when the sadness is in response to some sort of life challenge that resolves itself after the person adjusts to the hardship. This is what is known as “situational depression.”

Depression, on the other hand, is a mental illness in which a person experiences a low mood for an extended period. Often, depression develops so gradually that people don’t notice the severity of the disorder until it has taken over their life. Clinical depression, also known as major depression, is altogether different. It needn’t have a specific, discernible cause, and can persist for months or even years at a time. It’s often a debilitating mental illness.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

If you believe you or someone you love is struggling with depression, it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms of clinical depression to be able to recognize the problem.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association, outlines the symptoms of clinical depression.

For clinical depression to be diagnosed, a person must experience at least five of the following symptoms nearly every day, for a large part of the day over a period of two weeks or longer:

  • Persistent sad mood
  • Reduced or complete loss of pleasure or interest in activities
  • Weight loss, weight gain, or change in appetite
  • Changes in sleep such as insomnia or increased sleeping
  • Restlessness or slow movement or speech
  • Feeling tired and having no energy
  • Feelings of worthlessness
  • Difficulty making decisions, remembering things, or concentrating
  • Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts

At least one of the clinical depression symptoms must be a loss of interest or pleasure in activities or a depressed mood.

Other common signs of clinical depression include:

  • Leaving the house less often than usual
  • Reduced motivation at school or work
  • Becoming withdrawn from family and friends
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Loss of confidence
  • Experiencing aches and pains
  • Feeling hopeless
  • Physical problems like heart disease or chronic pain
  • No longer taking pride in physical appearance
  • Recurrent thoughts of death

If you think you or someone you know may attempt suicide, seek inpatient depression treatment immediately.

Clinical Depression Statistics

According to the American Psychiatric Association, one in fifteen American adults struggle with depression in any given year. Many of these people won’t seek inpatient depression treatment. One reason for this is a lack of knowledge regarding what depression is.

Here are some clinical depression statistics:

  • According to the World Health Organization, 280 million people — an estimated 5% of the world’s population — experience depression each year.
  • Women are more likely to suffer from depression than men, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
  • The prevalence of adults with clinical depression was highest among young people — with those aged 18-25 comprising 17.0% of the total.
  • Up to a third of those struggling with depression also receive substance abuse treatment.
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What Is Inpatient Depression Treatment?

Inpatient depression treatment, also known as residential depression treatment, involves a comprehensive program where clients live at an inpatient treatment facility for a certain period. In doing so, inpatient treatment provides a safe and supportive environment for clients to focus solely on their recovery without the distractions of everyday life. This can be particularly beneficial for those who may have difficulty managing their symptoms outside of a structured treatment setting.

It also often involves regular meetings with psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals. This is all done within the context of intensive and structured care, with 24/7 medical and therapeutic support. The length of stay can range from a few days to several weeks or even months, depending on the severity of the depression and the individual’s response to treatment.

Mental Health Services for Depression

During inpatient mental health treatment for depression, mental health professionals utilize therapeutic interventions designed to help individuals process their emotions, develop coping skills, and address underlying issues that may contribute to their depression.

Clients gain access to a variety of of mental health services, including: 

Mental health services for depression may include therapy, medication, or a combination of both. One of the most popular options for dealing with depression is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT treats depression by helping clients reframe their thoughts and providing a positive alternative to the stories they tell themselves. During treatment for depression, this therapy is often used in conjunction with antidepressant medication, which provides fast relief for symptoms. 

In addition to medication and traditional therapy methods, many residential depression treatment programs also offer holistic approaches such as mindfulness practices, yoga, and meditation. These techniques can help individuals learn coping skills and relaxation techniques that help them manage stress and improve their overall well-being.

Mental health programs can also provide education about nutrition, sleep hygiene, and other lifestyle factors that contribute to mental health. In doing so, depression treatment helps you incorporate self-care practices such as exercise, healthy eating, and relaxation techniques to manage symptoms of depression. This holistic approach is the gold standard in depression treatment and is something we specialize in at Aliya Health Group.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Addiction and Depression

Studies show that people struggling with depression are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol than those without depression. One study found that depressed people were twice as likely to develop substance abuse problems compared to others. This could be due to people using substances to self-medicate their feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and low energy levels.

Dual diagnosis treatment for addiction and depression is a specialized approach that addresses both conditions simultaneously. This type of treatment recognizes the complex relationship between addiction and depression and aims to treat them together for long-lasting recovery.

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Can a Mental Health Treatment Center Help My Depression?

Like many other mental health disorders, depression is a treatable illness and recovery is possible. With the right support and treatment plan, individuals can learn to manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, do not hesitate to reach out for help. 

Remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. There are many resources available to offer the support you need on the journey toward better mental health.

When Should I Seek Help For Depression?

If you’re wondering if you should seek help for depression, recognizing the warning signs can help you take preventative measures and manage the illness. In general, depression can range from mild to severe, with symptoms varying in intensity and duration. Some may experience a single episode, while others may have recurrent episodes throughout their lifetime.

The warning signs of depression include:

  • Worsening feelings of sadness and despair
  • Loss of joy in life
  • Lack of appetite
  • Oversleeping or struggling to fall asleep
  • Overwhelming feelings of worthlessness, shame, or guilt
  • Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts

These symptoms can significantly impact an individual’s daily life and relationships if left untreated. The first stage of depression is often characterized by mild or moderate symptoms that may be mistaken for temporary feelings of sadness, stress, or fatigue.

However, if left untreated, depression can progress to a more severe stage where individuals may experience suicidal thoughts and behaviors. It is important for individuals experiencing any of these symptoms to seek help from a mental health professional.

Depression Treatment at Aliya Health Group

Struggling with depression and substance abuse can feel like an uphill battle, and it’s important to know that you don’t have to fight alone. Aliya Health Group offers nationally accredited inpatient depression treatment and substance abuse counseling.

If you or a loved one is struggling with depression and substance use issues, call us today at 888-965-3085 or fill out our secure contact form. Our highly qualified staff is ready to resolve any questions or doubts you may have and help you get back on your feet.

What Is Gestalt Therapy?

Aliya on January 9, 2023

It’s normal for difficulties in the past to persist in the present. There is no reassurance that old problems won’t haunt you in the future if you don’t address them or find a solution. With the help of a certified counselor, gestalt therapy can be an incredibly beneficial resource for individuals in this situation.  Instead of focusing on the past or worrying about the future, gestalt techniques encourage change through interactive activities. As a unique approach to psychotherapy, gestalt techniques focus on increasing an individual’s self-direction, freedom, and awareness. The Gestalt method, which is supervised by clinicians, also encourages human growth by emphasizing needs, feelings, and wants.

When Is Gestalt Therapy Used?

Following its inception, Gestalt therapy has become a proven and effective therapeutic approach for addressing and treating various mental health issues. Gestalt therapy is known to benefit the following mental conditions:

  • Anxiety: If you have anxiety, you can learn to minimize catastrophic thinking styles by focusing on the present moment. This also enables people to identify any existing ideas, emotions, or behaviors that may be causing them to worry.
  • Depression: If you have depression, these exercises can teach you mindfulness practices to recognize stress-inducing triggers that worsen your symptoms.
  • Low self-esteem: If you struggle with low self-esteem, these sessions can help you to identify and overcome underlying factors contributing to your poor self-image such as intrusive thoughts and negative thinking patterns.
  • Relationship difficulties: You can benefit from identifying unhealthy patterns of behavior that may negatively impact your relationships. With gestalt techniques, you learn to focus on modifying your negative habits and changing your relationships for the better.
  • Poor self-awareness: Instead of talking about the past, you are encouraged to experience life in the present and to take responsibility for the management of your positive and negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Since the 1950s, gestalt therapists have employed experiential exercises that focus on awareness and understanding the present moment. Each session also encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions and become more aware of how they interact with the world around them. As a result, this type of therapy helps you gain insight into your thought patterns, emotions, and behaviors so you can make changes to better manage your mental health. 

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What to Expect in Gestalt Therapy

When you work with a Gestalt therapist, you can expect them to inquire about your current experiences in that present moment. During these sessions, you will also work with your therapist to explore your thoughts, feelings, beliefs, values, and behaviors in order to gain insight into how these things may be affecting your life. As you discuss your current situation, close attention will be focused on your experience and how you are feeling.

Gestalt therapy aims to increase the client’s awareness of their current experience. Although it may seem paradoxical, paying close attention to what you are going through may help you gain insight into harmful behaviors and change them. For this reason, your therapist will focus on your current situation in order to help you gain insight into why you behave the way you do. 

Similarly, your counselor may ask questions about your history to better understand why certain situations bring up certain emotions or reactions in you. Throughout your time in therapy, you will also participate in various exercises and activities that can help you gain a better understanding of yourself or your relationships with others. 

Gestalt Therapy Techniques in Treatment

Exercises and experiments are used to practice Gestalt therapy in individual and group settings. Gestalt often uses hands-on exercises to bring about actions, emotions, or goals. In fact, a key element of this therapy is experimentation. As a result, you can explore several techniques to better understand the elements that contribute to conflict in your life.

Some examples of gestalt techniques include:

  • Empathy/empathetic
  • “I” statements
  • Problem-solving
  • Artistic exercises

Knowing your therapist’s goal is to increase your awareness of the “here” and “now”, gestalt techniques often include mindfulness practices. Mindfulness techniques can help you focus on the present moment without getting distracted by worries over past or future situations. 

The Empty Chair

The empty chair technique is a popular role-playing exercise, allowing you to envision and take part in a conversation with another person or a metaphorical part of yourself. In this approach, you will sit in front of an empty chair while your therapist offers instructions on how to imagine a particular scenario. For example, your counselor may suggest picturing someone else (such as an angry or judgmental past self) seated in the chair. During this activity, you engage thoughts, emotions, and behaviors as the imaginary situation unfolds. In turn, these mental exercises can help you grow more aware of your surroundings and mindful of different aspects of yourself.

Exaggeration

When using the exaggeration technique, your therapist may urge you to make an exaggerated motion or to repeat the same action throughout the session to give body language a voice. This might be especially useful if you need help putting what is taking place right then into words. Through these sessions, you can become more conscious of the emotions driving your behavior as well as the current sensations as a result.

How Gestalt Therapy Works

Gestalt therapy is a physical, mental, and emotional activity in which your therapist considers your body language in addition to hearing what you say and how your movements relate to your emotions. The gestalt method emphasizes developing a dialogue-based connection grounded in your personal experiences, being conscious of one’s own bodily and emotional feelings, and engaging in “here and now” or present moment exercises. In gestalt therapy, the belief is that emotions must be expressed to be resolved.

Gestalt therapy concentrates on the present because the past cannot be changed. Since the present is the only thing that can be actively changed, gestalt sessions attempt to bring previous issues into the present. This process takes place using gestalt exercises during client-therapist interactions.

Gestalt Therapy FAQs

Gestalt therapy’s fundamentals have not altered over time. However, our understanding of “the self” and the most therapeutically effective techniques is constantly being explored and broadened through several theoretical and practical approaches.

Awareness is the key factor in the gestalt-based approach to therapy. Bringing a change and shift in client awareness levels is primary. Any further changes are their choices and responsibility.

The gestalt approach is about the therapeutic act of healing the whole person, which is certainly not only “therapy” in the traditional sense. This means that gestalt techniques provide a holistic approach to treatment, encompassing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. 

Gestalt therapy addresses fundamental concerns in each individual since it is process oriented. Working with material that comes up in therapy can involve any element of the individual, including behavior, cognitions, beliefs, physical sensations, imagination, and dreams.

In general, gestalt methods have two possible limitations:

  1. They exclusively concentrate on the present moment.
  2. They demand a high level of personal development and knowledge from the therapist.

One key application of the Gestalt approach is the practice of mindfulness and being present at the moment. By focusing on your thoughts, feelings, and sensations in the present moment, you can better understand yourself and your experiences. This can lead to increased self-awareness and improved coping skills for dealing with challenging situations.

Another important aspect of gestalt therapy is the concept of self-responsibility. This means taking ownership of your choices, actions, and emotions instead of blaming others for your problems. By accepting responsibility for your situation, you can begin making positive changes in your life.

Gestalt Therapy Pros and Cons

It’s always a good idea to remember that therapy of any kind is better than no therapy, especially if you are dealing with a mental illness.

Pros of Gestalt Therapy

Gestalt therapy has been proven incredibly successful with more pros than cons. With that being said, each client enters treatment with their own unique experiences that will influence therapeutic needs.

Pros of gestalt therapy include:

  • A stronger sense of self-control
  • Enhanced capacity to control and keep track of thoughts and emotions
  • Heightened consciousness of emotional demands
  • Increased emotional intelligence
  • Increased awareness and improved communication skills

Cons of Gestalt Therapy

Potential cons of the gestalt method include:

  • May take more time than other therapeutic methods
  • Present-focused techniques may not be appropriate for those with unresolved trauma who need to confront and heal from past experiences.
  • Therapists may use Gestalt exercises incorrectly if they lack a thorough comprehension of the theory and its applications.

How to Get Started

For several reasons, you might want to consider Gestalt therapy. For instance, this treatment can be beneficial for you if you have trouble controlling your emotions. Similarly, gestalt techniques may help keep you in the present. This is especially true if you tend to reflect on past mistakes or worry about messing up in the future. These sessions do not follow specific guidelines, and depending on the situation, gestalt methods urge therapists to be creative in their methods.

For this therapeutic approach to work, you must be willing and ready to apply these techniques both in and outside of each session. Although the empty chair and exaggeration techniques may seem strange at first, try to keep an open mind to your therapist’s instructions.

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Looking for quality treatment for substance abuse and mental health that’s also affordable? Aliya Health Group's treatment facilities accept most major insurance providers. Get a free insurance benefits check now!

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Reach Out

During treatment for substance abuse, gestalt therapy can be a highly effective method of change. The gestalt method is fundamentally about respecting the potential and unpredictability of ongoing interactions between people on a daily basis. Both sides evolve as a result of those interactions and together, they create new realities and experiences.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, please call us today at 888-965-3085 to find the right level of care for your unique situation. Gestalt therapy is one of our evidence-based therapy offerings and it has assisted many of our clients during treatment for substance abuse and in recovery.

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Aliya Health Group is a comprehensive network of addiction and mental health treatment centers, with locations spanning nationwide. 

We are driven by our commitment to empower individuals, families, and the community by providing education, tools, and support, to help them lead healthy, fulfilling lives in recovery. 

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