Is Depression A Permanent Condition?

Depression, also known as major depressive disorder (MDD) or clinical depression, is listed as a medical illness in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and is recognized as a serious mood disorder. The World Health Organization (WHO) explains that depression is “characterized by persistent sadness and a lack of interest or pleasure in previously rewarding or enjoyable activities,” resulting in significant impairment in one’s daily life. While depression can develop at any age, symptoms commonly surface in adolescence and young adulthood. An adolescent with MDD has a chemical imbalance in his or her brain, resulting in an inability to return to an emotional equilibrium as quickly as others when experiencing an emotional low. Findings from the National Institute of Mental Health in 2017, report nearly 3.2 million adolescents between the ages of 12 to 17 had experienced at least one major depressive episode. Further, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), depression affects nearly ten percent of the general population in America. Experts have asserted that major depressive disorder is potentially a long-term illness, but not necessarily a permanent condition. 

Treatment

There are a variety of approaches as well as a range of treatment options when it comes to treating teenagers with depression. Depending on the severity of one’s depression some teenagers may benefit from attending an in-patient treatment program. At Pacific Teen Treatment, we offer a residential treatment program where we will create a nuanced treatment plan, incorporating the best possible therapeutic methods, specifically geared to each teen’s personal needs. There are many different types of therapeutic modalities that could be integrated into one’s treatment plan, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), expressive arts therapy, and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). Some young people diagnosed with severe major depressive disorder may benefit from including medication into the treatment plan, in conjunction with various therapeutic methods. The different types of medications prescribed for MDD include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs). If medication is necessary, at Pacific Teen Treatment, we utilize the leading experts in adolescent psychiatry, while also collaborating with our resident’s parents both for permission and continued involvement in the treatment process. 

For Information and Support

Every family in need of mental health treatment must select a program that will best suit the needs of their family. When one member of a family struggles, it impacts everyone in the family unit. To maximize the benefits of treatment we work closely with the entire family to ensure that everyone is receiving the support they need through these difficult times.

Seeking help is never easy, but you are not alone! If you or someone you know needs mental health treatment, we strongly encourage you to reach out for help as quickly as possible. It is not uncommon for many mental health difficulties to impact a person’s life, in the long term. Pursuing support at the beginning of one’s journey can put the individual in the best position to learn how to manage themselves in a healthy way so they can go on to live happy and fulfilling lives.

OUR KNOWLEDGEABLE ADMISSIONS TEAM CAN BE REACHED 24/7 AT INFO@PACIFICRTC.COM OR CALL: 800-531-5769

We are available to answer any questions you may have regarding mental health treatment and our residential program, anytime. Contact us today using the form to the right.