Depression is a complicated disease that affects each person differently. With more than 17.3 million people suffering from the disease in the United States, it is no wonder people are trying to find new ways to help those struggling with depression.
There is no cure for depression, and although medication and therapy help many people with depression, there is not a simple solution. That is why many may be seeking information about whether depression rehabilitation facilities exist and how they may be able to help someone with depression.
The term rehab for depression is a bit of a misnomer because it is not what people regularly associate with the word rehab, which is often associated with substance use and substance addiction. Instead, rehab for depression may instead refer to a live-in or residential therapeutic program at a facility with licensed therapists on staff.
This type of program is designed to explore and challenge the habits and mindsets that may be detrimental to a depressive person, while also providing access to therapists and other experts. These programs create a safe, structured environment where a person with depression is able to confront the causes of their depression and work together within a tight-knit community to develop the skills and habits that will support individuals.
Our program at Skyterra Young Adult is a therapeutic wellness program led by a team of therapists with more than 30 years of experience dealing with depression and anxiety. At Skyterra, guests participate in private therapy and coaching, group processing and discussion, structured classes, community service, and hands-on integration of healthy life skills and many other activities designed to combat depression at its roots by building healthy habits.
Treatment for depression can come in many forms. For many people suffering from depression, meeting with a licensed therapist for a weekly therapy session is enough. In fact, up to 80 percent of those treated for depression will show improvement in their symptoms within four to six weeks of beginning medication, psychotherapy, attending support groups, or a combination of these treatments.
For others, it may require a more drastic lifestyle change designed to help them manage their depression in the short term while building habits to prevent its recurrence in the long term. In these cases, a more comprehensive treatment option might be advised, often involving taking an extended break from the distractions and responsibility of everyday life in order to spend time specifically and intentionally working on their depression and its root causes.
What is Depression?
A major depressive episode is defined as a sustained period of time, two or more weeks, with loss of interest or lack of pleasure in life that affects regular routine or day-to-day functioning.
Typical symptoms of young adult depression can include:
- Fatigue
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Feelings of guilt
- Difficulty concentrating
- Inadequate amounts of sleep
- Losing interest in life
- Lacking excitement to learn new things
- Finding that activities they previously enjoyed now feel meaningless.
What steps can I take to combat depression at home?
There are many steps to take before deciding if you need rehab for depression. At Skyterra Young Adult we offer an alternative program to treat depression but we stress the importance of trying to solve problems at home before deciding to apply. Skyterra has a team of experts specializing in treating depression, offering structured and guided support to our guests. Our experts follow a therapeutic approach to wellness that gives young adults the tools they need to get back on track and fight depression in the long term. Many of the steps taken to combat depression at Skyterra can also be done from home as part of your everyday routine.
Here are three ways you can fight depression today:
Step One: Get Moving to Boost your Mood
Starting to exercise can be difficult when depression keeps you exhausted, and regular exercise is a powerful depression fighter. Aim for at least 30 minutes per day. It doesn’t have to be all at one time and you can start small with a 10-minute walk.
Regular exercise will increase your energy and decrease fatigue. If depression keeps you sedentary, start off slowly and gradually increase your time and distance.
An efficient fitness routine with good form will enhance your quality of life. Participating in sustained physical activity results in the production of endorphins which diminish pain and release hormones connected to positive emotions.
Regular exercise relieves stress, helps you sleep better and feel more relaxed and positive about your life. Once you begin feeling relief from depression, maintaining an exercise schedule can help maintain health and wellness.
Step Two: Reduce Screen Time and Increase Real-World Relationships
Turn off the screens and spend time with friends and family. As young adults spend more time alone on their phones, they become lonelier and feel more left out. The simple act of talking in person to someone about how you feel can play a big role in relieving depression and keeping it away.
By decreasing time spent on phones, young adults develop emotional understanding and empathy. Eliminating phone use before bed and during the night helps encourage adequate amounts of sleep. Depression often involves sleep problems; whether too little or too much sleep, your mood suffers. Aim for eight hours of sleep on a regular schedule.
Face-to-face social interaction tends to protect against depression in a way that digital interaction does not. Having high-quality, positive social interactions with family and friends regularly can lower risk of depression. People who make you feel safe and cared for often provide the best support. They need to be a good listener who is attentive and compassionate without being distracted or judging you.
Step Three: Practice Mindfulness and Meditation.
Often when dealing with depression the brain becomes one’s own worst enemy. Negative thoughts can create unwanted chatter in the mind which can feel overwhelming.
Mindfulness is a practice whereby awareness of the present moment is increased, letting thoughts pass through the mind without judgment or emotion. Meditation is the practice of quieting the mind and focusing attention for an extended period of time. The combination of the two can retrain the mind to relieve depression by changing how the body and mind respond to stress. Working out the mind is equally important as working out the body and these practices can help regulate emotions and provide long-term relief from stress and depression.
Practice mindful thinking in daily life. Finding time to meditate can help train the mind to quiet intrusive thoughts. Although practicing mindfulness and meditation cannot cure depression, they can help manage the symptoms.
Can Skyterra Young Adult Help Me?
Skyterra Young Adult is a program for young adults ages 18 to 29 that uses a clinical model to help our guests with depression to build a more positive relationship with themselves. Young adults at Skyterra experience personal growth within the structure, routine and emotional safety of the Skyterra wellness community.
Through therapy sessions at Skyterra, guests are able to identify situations that contribute to depression. Talking through the situations allows our guests to release negative feelings and receive understanding. Therapists help guests take action to solve problems and encourage them to notice the good things in life.
Skyterra guests practice prioritizing mental health as they participate in individual and group therapy. Through the therapy sessions, our guests experience a multitude of therapeutic solutions designed to combat depression, including:
- Goal-setting and accountability
- Self-identification of strengths and barriers
- Opportunities to learn and practice emotional regulation strategies
- Increased emotional fluency
- Community resiliency
- Processing past behaviors, thoughts and experiences.
- Communication and conflict resolution skill development
- Increased distress tolerance.
Additionally, full-time coaching provides constant feedback from all Skyterra team members. Our guests have numerous in-the-moment opportunities to change their natural responses, challenging their maladaptive core beliefs and behaviors that worsen depression. They also have numerous opportunities to practice new patterns of behavior, building habits and a mindset that will help them address their depression in the long term.
The professionals at Skyterra Young Adult have more than 30 years of therapeutic program experience specializing in the transition to adulthood. Before a young adult attends Skyterra, our experts meet with them to determine their personal goals and needs, then create a personalized schedule that will help them succeed. No matter where young adults are on their journey, they are well supported and never judged.
If you think Skyterra Young Adult might be right for you, please call 828-521-0918 to receive more information.