Depression is the No. 1 cause of disability in the United States for people between the ages of 15 and 44. But two-thirds of people with depression don’t receive proper treatment, or even try to seek it out.

Getting diagnosed with depression can be mentally and emotionally overwhelming, and finding the best treatment center can add even more stress. But it’s important to not be intimidated by the task. Choosing the best treatment center for you is one of the first steps in your mental health journey

What is depression?

Major depressive disorder, commonly known as depression, is a mood disorder that can cause you to feel an overwhelming sense of sadness, lethargy and hopelessness. 

There are many symptoms of depression, including: 

• Lack of energy and motivation
• Feeling sad or empty
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Feeling frustrated or irritable without cause
• Reduced appetite
• Anxiety
• Fixation on past failures
• Suicidality
• Social isolation
• Substance abuse

Depression can interfere with many aspects of your life, such as the inability to take care of your daily responsibilities and damaging relationships with those close to you. Finding the proper treatment center is essential.

What are depression treatment centers?

If your mental health provider feels like therapy sessions and prescribed medication aren’t having enough of a positive effect on your depression, then they might recommend that you’re admitted to a depression treatment center. You can also volunteer to be admitted to a center on your own. 

Depression treatment centers are facilities that provide care for people living with depression. People who check into depression treatment centers often have severe cases of the mood disorder known as clinical depression. But people with any level of depression may benefit from receiving treatment at a center.

What are the benefits of depression treatment centers?

Depression treatment centers provide treatment with a combination of medication and therapy.

A center usually offers a wide range of therapy, including individual, group and even family therapy. But they often offer therapies that allow people with depression to express their emotions in creative ways. The center can also offer activities that let you release some of the negativity that can encompass you during a depressive episode.

A few types of therapies and activities that may be offered at a depression treatment center include:

• Cognitive behavior therapy
• Acceptance and commitment therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Art therapy
• Yoga
• Meditation

How to choose a depression treatment center

Deciding on the depression treatment center that’s right for you isn’t always easy. Every case of depression is unique, and so are the people who live with it. That’s why it’s important that you choose a center that caters to your specific mental health needs. You need to ensure that the center offers personalized treatment plans that work for your level of depression.

Important factors to consider are:

• The qualifications of the staff
• The types of counseling/therapy offered
• The amount of involvement allowed for family
• The diet and exercise plans

The key factor that needs to be considered is the level of care that you require. Do you need around-the-clock care, or do you only need supervision during the day? This is the main difference between inpatient and outpatient treatment centers.

Inpatient versus outpatient treatment center

Choosing whether you need to be admitted to an inpatient or outpatient treatment center can make a big difference in your overall mental health journey progress.

Inpatient depression treatment gives 24/7 care to people with depression. The goal is to provide involved care in a safe space to allow people to address their depression symptoms. It gives them the chance to work with mental health professionals and take steps to improve their mental health with a variety of support and resources. Our residential treatment allows people to focus on their care by having therapy sessions, nursing oversight, movement opportunities and weekly outings.

Outpatient depression treatment also provides people with the care they need to help their depression, but this option doesn’t have overnight care. People in outpatient treatment can usually manage their symptoms on their own, but may be dealing with issues that are causing a depressive episode. During the day, people who are admitted into outpatient centers have a variety of therapy sessions and programs. 

We offer a Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (vIOP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). They involve a mix of individual sessions with a therapist, three to six hours of daily programming and ongoing family therapy. 

Lightfully offers a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) as well, also called our Day Treatment Program, which has all-day care without overnight supervision.

Lightfully Behavioral Health is the right depression treatment center for you

If you or your doctor feel that it’s time to be admitted to a depression treatment center, give us a call. Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.