What Depression Is
Mental health professionals characterize depression as presence of sad, empty, or irritable mood, accompanied by somatic and cognitive changes that affect the individual’s capacity to function (adapted from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition). So of course, individuals with this condition require comprehensive depression treatment.
Recent research finds that 32-39% of people with anorexia nervosa, 36-50% of people with bulimia nervosa, and 33% of people with binge eating disorder are also diagnosed with major depressive disorder.
Common symptoms of depression include (but are not limited to):
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Excessive sleeping
- Insufficient sleeping
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Overeating
- Under-eating
- Physical aches and pains
- Loss of interest in activities
Our Treatment Philosophy
Our philosophy includes (up to) three individual sessions a week as well as approximately four psychoeducational groups each day. It also includes weekly meetings with the staff psychiatrist, psychologist, dietitian, and clinical director. Our depression treatment is comprehensive and strengths-based and also utilizes evidence-based treatments. It incorporates elements of spirituality, mindfulness, community service, nutrition, art, movement/exercise, and psychotherapy, as well as pharmacology when appropriate.
Goals for Therapy
The goals for depression treatment at Magnolia Creek typically include the following:
- Identify perceptions of the problem, thoughts and feelings about the problem, and actions before and after the problem
- Learn assertiveness, boundary setting, and problem solving skills
- Build self-esteem
- Discover personal identity (apart from a diagnosis or symptom) and values
- Identify and reduce self-harm, suicidal, or homicidal urges
- Understand common co-occurring diagnosis (or risks/symptoms thereof), such as anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, eating disorders, and personality disorders
What We Treat
As part of our depression treatment, we treat both acute and prolonged depressive symptoms and major depressive disorders. We also provide support for issues of bereavement, grief, or loss.
Clinical Modalities
We use a variety of methods for depression treatment, including the following: mindfulness, cognitive therapy, relational therapy, narrative therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy.
Recommended Reading
- Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns
- The Spirituality of Imperfection: Storytelling and The Search for Meaning by Ernest Kurtz and Katherine Ketcham
Depression Treatment at Magnolia Creek
If you are suffering from depression Magnolia Creek can help you. Please call 205-409-4220 or e-mail us at [email protected].