depression treatment program Archives - Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

Dealing with Depression During the Winter Months

Posted on December 14, 2022 by cmarnew

If you struggle with depression during winter, you can use some self-care strategies to deal with the situation. If you’re unsure about where to start or what steps you can take to cope with the changing season’s effect on your mood, we are here to help. To help you get on the right track and manage the symptoms, you may want to consider seeking treatment from a rehab center.

Dual diagnosis treatment can help you get to the root of your depression and provide tools for coping with the winter blues. If you’re looking for “dual diagnosis near me,” Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery provides effective, comprehensive care to help you find balance in your life.

Why Is Depression Common During the Winter?

Depression during winter is linked to a decrease in sunlight, which affects your body’s production of serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that helps regulate your mood, and its production is related to exposure to sunlight. With fewer hours of daylight in winter, people tend to experience a drop in mood.

The long, dark hours of winter can also lead to isolation and loneliness—two factors that are closely linked to depression. You may find yourself struggling with a lack of motivation and loss of interest in activities that you normally enjoy, as well as difficulty sleeping.

Seeking Treatment for Depression During Winter

If you suffer severe symptoms that affect day-to-day activities, it is advisable to seek a therapist’s assistance. Rehab centers can provide practical tools and strategies to help you build resilience and cope with this disorder during its peak. An expert will evaluate your condition and provide personalized treatment services, including:

Addiction treatment if substance use is a concern
Medication-assisted treatment to reduce symptoms
Case management and peer support
Pain management services

Treatment can also address underlying issues such as trauma, which can worsen depression.

Ways to Cope with Winter Depression

Consider Working Out Regularly

Exercising during winter can boost your energy and make you feel better. Physical activities improve the brain’s serotonin levels which control mood. It is a great way to distract your thoughts from the stress-causing situation and concentrate on positive energy.

Studies reveal that if you perform a thirty-minute exercise routine three times per week, you can alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. If going to the gym seems challenging, opt for working out at home or find engaging physical activities.

Lightbox Therapy

One of the causes of seasonal depression is the lack of exposure to natural sunlight. Fortunately, you can take advantage of other ways to receive the necessary light. Experts concur that lightbox therapy can help.

The sunlight boxes are fitted with fluorescent tubes and produce light with similar benefits to sunlight. A 30-minute exposure to the lightbox every day can help you fight depression symptoms. Many therapists in the US use this technique as an antidepressant for their clients.

Develop Proper Eating Habits

Many people with depression crave carbohydrates and sugar. While it is okay to take your favorite snacks, overeating can affect your health. For example, it can lead to weight gain and unexplained fatigue. Developing a healthy eating plan boosts your body’s metabolism and increases energy levels.

Adopting a healthy diet can serve as a useful depression treatment. Sugary foods can be part of your diet but cut them as much as you can. To develop a healthy diet plan, you can use several strategies, such as:

Minimizing sugary drinks
Watching nutrition labels on pre-cooked foods
Taking low-sugar cereals
Considering high fiber and whole-grain starches
Consuming more vegetables and fruits
Minimizing fats

Learn Coping Mechanisms

You can use simple tricks, like breathing in and out, as a depression treatment. Deep breathing calms your brain and the body. You can do this exercise anywhere, and it can be useful if you do it consistently. Breathing exercises reduce tension in various body parts and help to alleviate anxiety and depression.

Yoga and meditation can also help you feel better. Health experts encourage people to embrace these practices because they understand their health benefits. Try to learn mindfulness, which aims to maintain focus on the current moment and cultivate fulfillment and happiness.

Consult a therapist at a depression treatment center to learn mindfulness, meditation, and other life skills for coping with depression during winter.

Overcome Depression at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

You can use these tips to deal with depression during winter, but if the symptoms persist and become uncontrollable, seek immediate medical intervention. At our rehab center, you will meet skilled and experienced therapists who understand the severe consequences of long-term depression. Contact Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery at 833.448.0127 to examine your condition and access innovative treatment techniques for seasonal depression.

Creating Goals for Your Depression Treatment Program

Posted on May 23, 2022 by cmarnew

Depression cases have steadily risen over the last few years as men and women try to cope with all of the uncertainty of today’s climate. Instead of getting help, many turn to drugs and alcohol for relief and end up potentially worsening their condition. A depression treatment program can alleviate depression symptoms and get you back to living a productive and happy life. It gives patients the coping skills they need to recognize triggering situations and avoid them.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we help men and women from all walks of life create treatment goals for depression that will help them stay focused on their recovery. We know that each person is different and will have various symptoms and goals. That is why we work closely with each patient to develop a treatment plan based on their unique symptoms. If you or a loved one is struggling with depression, call 833.448.0127 today to speak with our caring staff about our depression treatment program for long-lasting recovery.

Why Is Goal Setting Important for Depression Recovery?

Everyone can feel sad or depressed once in a while. That is just the nature of the complicated and stressful lives that people lead. However, depression is a distinct mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of hopelessness. Goal setting is an important part of your depression treatment program as it gives patients something to focus on instead of the endless loop of negative thinking that depression creates.

Without goals, depression treatment will not be as effective and more likely result in a more serious problem. If patients go through depression treatment that fails to relieve their symptoms because no clear goals were set, they are more likely to never seek treatment again.

There are several types of depression that men and women from all backgrounds can experience:

Major depression
Persistent depressive disorder
Bipolar disorder
Seasonal affective disorder
Psychotic depression
Postpartum depression

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we will work with your depression symptoms and create an effective treatment plan based on your goals. We use a combination of behavioral therapy and medication-assisted treatment to benefit your recovery in our private and comfortable treatment center.

Goals for Your Depression Treatment Program

One of the first steps in a depression treatment program is to understand the unique nature of the patient’s symptoms and the cause of the depression. Therapists will take the time to get to know each patient and have them state the goals that are important to them, such as being a better parent or learning to focus on the present and not the past or future.

While each patient is different, here are some common treatment goals for depression that are very beneficial:

Changing negative thinking – An important goal of depression treatment is to teach patients to love themselves for who they are and stop the endless loop of negative thoughts that bring them down. Patients learn coping skills to stop negative thinking and replace them with positive, life-affirming thoughts.
Building healthy relationships – Many people with depression do not have healthy relationships in their lives. Patients will work on improving their relationship skills and learn to recognize unhealthy behaviors in relationships.
Taking care of your body – Your physical health will suffer while going through depression. Patients tend to turn to drugs and alcohol, overeat, and stop exercising while feeling depressed. A vital goal for depression is to take care of your health through healthy eating, exercise programs, and holistic therapies that include meditation and mindfulness.

Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery Can Help You with Creating Treatment Goals for Depression

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we help men and women struggling with depression and other mental health disorders. When you first arrive at our discreet facility, we will evaluate your physical and mental health to create an effective depression treatment program based on your symptoms and goals for leading a healthy and productive life.

If you or a loved one is struggling with depression and needs help, call 833.448.0127 today or fill out our online form to begin turning your life around.

Pandemic Blues: How to Deal With Lingering Depression Amid COVID-19

Posted on June 20, 2021 by cmarnew

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone in some form or another. Many people began working at home instead of spending time in an office. Birthday parties and other celebrations went virtual. No matter how your life was disrupted as a result of COVID-19, if you struggle with depression, you might have found it difficult to maintain your mental health during this time. However, a depression treatment program can help. As the world begins to heal from the effects of the pandemic, you can also find hope through therapy, counseling, and medication.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we offer depression treatment programs to help you get through the pandemic and come out of it healthier and happier. Reach out to one of our therapists today at 833.448.0127 if you are struggling with depression amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Does COVID-19 Make You Depressed?

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals and families have had to adapt to changing guidelines to keep themselves and others safe. These changes may have led to feelings of isolation, confusion, or even hopelessness. For those who struggle with mental health issues like anxiety or depression, the pandemic may have exacerbated these conditions. While COVID-19 does not cause depression as one of its symptoms, the dramatic changes in the way society lives can contribute to feelings of depression.

Symptoms of Depression

While the symptoms of depression can vary, some of the most common include:

Trouble sleeping
Sudden mood changes
Lack of concentration
Substance abuse
Lack of energy
Sleeping all day

If you are experiencing any of these problems or think you may be feeling depressed, reach out to a depression treatment program today. For those who also struggle with substance use issues, a dual diagnosis treatment program can help.

What to Do if You Are Feeling Depressed

The best thing to do if you are feeling depressed is to reach out to a medical professional. Talk to your doctor or reach out to a depression treatment program. Certain medications can effectively treat depression, and therapy sessions with an experienced healthcare provider can help you develop healthy coping skills.

It can also be helpful to talk to the people in your life about what you’re experiencing. Your loved ones will want to support you as you begin to heal from the effects of depression. You might also find that you have friends and family members who struggle in similar ways. Group therapy and support groups can also provide support for your journey to recovery.

Staying active can help you feel relief from depression. Find a form of movement that you enjoy. This might include yoga, walking, biking, or participating in exercise classes. If you don’t feel comfortable in a group exercise class just yet, try a virtual class or exercise program instead.

One thing to not do while you’re struggling with depression is turn to drugs and alcohol to help you cope. While these substances might provide short-term relief, they can also exacerbate the symptoms of depression.

Depression Treatment at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we are available to help you manage the symptoms of depression effectively with depression treatment programs geared toward helping you through these unusual times. The tools you learn today can help you throughout your life. And if you are also struggling with co-occurring substance use issues, our center can help you on the journey to recovery through therapy and medication-assisted treatment.

If you or someone you know is having trouble getting through the current pandemic, they may be suffering from COVID-19 depression and not even know it. Talk to one of our trained therapists at 833.448.0127 today and start your recovery to a better life.