Depression

Alta Mira treats depression when it coincides with a chemical dependency. This is known as a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder. Through this dual diagnosis, we are able to treat the whole person

What Is Depression?

Do you sometimes find yourself feeling sad or blue, and you don't know why? Do these feelings pass within a few days, or does it linger on for weeks, or even months? Everyone feels blue or sad from time to time, but these feelings are fleeting and pass within a couple of days. If these feelings are stronger in nature, interfere in your daily life or are causing pain for both you and your loved ones, you may be a person who has a depressive disorder.

Many people with a depressive illness never seek treatment, but the vast majority can get better with treatment. Intensive research into the illness has resulted in the development of medications, psychotherapies and other methods to treat people with this disabling disorder.

What Causes Depression?

There is no single known cause for depression. The disease likely results from a combination of genetic, biochemical, environmental and psychological factors.

Research indicates that depressive illnesses are disorders of the brain. Brain-imaging technologies like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) show differences between people who suffer from Depression and those who do not. The parts of the brain responsible for regulating mood, thinking, sleep, appetite and behavior appear to function abnormally. In addition, important neurotransmitters (chemicals that brain cells use to communicate) appear to be out of balance. However, these images do not reveal why the depression has occurred.

Some causes of Depression may be related to:

Trauma
Loss of a loved one
A difficult relationship
Any stressful situation may trigger a depressive episode

Subsequent depressive episodes may occur with or without an obvious trigger.

Who Experiences Depression?

Anyone can struggle with depression. Even though depression is more common among women, men are susceptible to depression as well. Biological, life cycle, hormonal and psychosocial factors unique to women may be linked to women's higher depression rate.

Research has shown that hormones directly affect brain chemistry that controls emotions and mood. Women are particularly vulnerable to depression after giving birth, when hormonal and physical changes, along with the new responsibility of caring for a newborn, can be overwhelming. Some studies suggest that women who experience severe postpartum depression often have had prior depressive episodes.

Men often experience depression differently than women and may have different ways of coping with the symptoms.

Men with depression are more likely to:

Turn to alcohol or drugs
Become frustrated, irritable, and angry
Become abusive
Throw themselves into their work as an avoidance mechanism
Engage in reckless, risky behavior
Die from suicide

Both men and women face the additional stresses of work and home responsibilities, caring for children and aging parents, abuse, poverty, and relationship strains.

Depressive Disorder

People with depressive illnesses do not all experience the same symptoms. The severity, frequency and duration of symptoms will vary depending on the individual and his or her particular illness.

Symptoms include:

Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" feelings
Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness
Irritability, restlessness
Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
Fatigue and decreased energy
Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
Insomnia, early–morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
Overeating or appetite loss
Thoughts of suicide; suicide attempts
Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment

What are the different forms of depression?

There are several forms of depressive disorders. The most common are major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder.

Major depressive disorder (major depression) is characterized by a combination of symptoms that interfere with a person's ability to work, sleep, study, eat and enjoy once–pleasurable activities. Major depression is disabling and prevents a person from functioning normally. An episode of major depression may occur only once in a person's lifetime but generally recurs throughout a person's life.

Dysthymic disorder (dysthymia) is characterized by long–term (two years or longer) but less severe symptoms that may not disable a person but can prevent one from functioning normally or feeling well. People with dysthymia may also experience one or more episodes of major depression during their lifetimes.

Some forms of depressive disorder exhibit slightly different characteristics than those described above, or they may develop under unique circumstances. However, not all scientists agree on how to characterize and define these forms of depression. They include:

Psychotic depression occurs when a severe depressive illness is accompanied by some form of psychosis, such as a break with reality, hallucinations and delusions.
Postpartum depression is diagnosed if a new mother develops a major depressive episode within one month after delivery. It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of women experience postpartum depression after giving birth.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is characterized by the onset of a depressive illness during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. The depression generally lifts during spring and summer. SAD may be effectively treated with light therapy, but nearly half of those with SAD do not respond to light therapy alone. Antidepressant medication and psychotherapy can reduce SAD symptoms either alone or in combination with light therapy.
Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) is not as common as major depression or dysthymia. Bipolar disorder is characterized by cycling mood changes from extreme highs (e.g., mania) to extreme lows (e.g., depression).

Alta Mira Treatment for Depression

Depression, even the most severe cases, is a highly treatable disorder. As with many illnesses, the earlier that treatment can begin, the more effective it is and the greater the likelihood that recurrence can be prevented. Once diagnosed, a person with depression can be treated with a number of methods. The most common treatments are medication and psychotherapy.

At Alta Mira we believe there is a better approach. The blending of traditional and non-traditional activities is designed to:

Improve mental and physical energy
Enhance focus and mental clarity
Elevate mood
Improve sleep
Increase your ability to identify beliefs and feelings

You will have the opportunity to recreate your path through a blending of both conventional and integrative services, including but not limited to the following:

Individual one-on-one sessions two to three hours per week with your primary therapist to help process your experiences and uncover the root cause of your suffering to begin the healing process. Our program director works with clients in a compassionate psychodynamic and cognitive/behavioral way with traditional therapy, while integrating complimentary alternative therapies to allow clients to heal themselves at a cellular level of body, mind and spirit.
Group sessions will encompass group therapy, meditation and relaxed awareness practice, at least three times per week as well as a variety of educational groups and a number group activities, both on and off campus. You will encounter a number of different professional facilitators with expertise in their particular specialty areas.
Participation in Experiential Groups where the primary focus will be on intense, personal experiences that will both surprise and enlighten you
Family Therapy addressing root causes and insight into interpersonal dynamics
Attendance at educational seminars on a wide variety of subjects related to recovery, growth, healing, and transformation
Regular Body Work such as exercise, yoga, massage, Tai Chi, and acupuncture can help you heal, grow and relax.
Self directed individual growth experiences through books, self instructional CD's, DVD's and videos. Journaling will be encouraged to record and track your experiences.
Working closely with your Program Director and Support Team to develop and implement a program that is appropriate and effective for you
Optional IV, Oral and Dietary Nutrient Therapy will rebalance brain and body chemistry quickly

Utilizing the methods previously mentioned we will address issues in different realms to help you achieve the desired outcomes. We will bring focus to the following areas:

A. Uncovering and healing the root cause of your Depression.

Charting memorized cellular biological cycles
Uncovering and releasing cellular memory/trauma memory driving behavior, emotions, and illness

B. Addressing and rebalancing stress in the body, mind and spirit

Identifying where we hold our stress and the source; physical, emotional/mental, life style, energetic or spiritual
Correcting Stress/energetic imbalances, learning self-regulation, connecting mind/body/emotions/spirit
Regulation and Awareness

C. Correcting brain chemistry and physical imbalances

Complete diagnostic testing
Blood Sugar, thyroid, adrenal and organ function and balancing
Neurotransmitter assessment and balancing (optional)
Vitamin deficiency assessment and balancing

D. Identifying ego fixation and sabotaging behaviors

What early woundings drive your choices, behaviors and emotions
How do you manipulate to get your needs met?
How do you betray yourself to get love, acceptance and approval?
What do you think, feel or do that takes you farther away from your true nature?

E. Heightening awareness

Uncovering "your story"

ego/image
illusion of control/power
tolerance for insanity ( yours /others )
grandiosity/self centeredness
alienation/detachment
beliefs/judgments
fears

How do you distract yourself from the "truth"

attachments
drama
work/play
"stuff"

F. Increasing clarity

What do you say you want

values
actions

What are you attached to
What can you "let go" of

G. Learning free choice and personal responsibility

What do you really want
What are you willing to do and not do
What are you committed to
What truth will you live
Who are you?

Allow for a complete rejuvenating healing experience to transform your life and begin living with a wholeness and freedom in yourself and your relationships.

More Treatment Info

» Treatment Overview
» Integrated Treatment
» Chemical Dependency
» Co-Occurring Disorders
» Trauma and PTSD
» Eating Disorders
» Codependency/Relationships
» Process Addictions