Depression is Different for Everyone
Often, people who struggle with a mental health condition also struggle with a substance use disorder. Those that have a mental illness may use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate and alleviate their pain. On the contrary, those that struggle with substance use may experience a mental illness as a result. If someone experiences both a substance use disorder and mental illness, this is commonly recognized as a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder.
When managing a dual diagnosis, one condition does not always cause the other. That is why it is essential to address and treat both conditions. Everyone’s life experiences are different, creating a wide variety of causes of depression.
What is Major Depressive Disorder?
Major depressive disorder is a mood disorder defined by prolonged periods of sadness, feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and irritability. Someone with a depression diagnosis may also experience fatigue, changes in sleep and appetite, and a loss of interest in hobbies they once loved. However, symptoms of depression look different for everyone, and multiple types of depression contribute to a range of emotions.
Here are some of the most common causes of depression and how our team at Decision Point Center we can help:
Trauma
Events that take place in your early childhood play a significant role in your personality development as an adult. If you faced a traumatic event at a young age, there is a large chance it has shaped your behaviors as an adult. That event may be responsible for specific fears or triggers that you face in your daily life.
However, traumatic events do not only take place in childhood. Traumas can also occur in your teenage and adult years that may also contribute to symptoms of depression.
Medical Conditions
When people struggle with severe medical and health conditions, they may also experience depression. Health conditions such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, chronic pain, or autoimmune disease can also play a prominent role in your mental health.
Genetic Factors
Studies show that people with a familial history of depression have a higher risk of developing the mood disorder themselves. While there is currently no traceable gene, there is a strong connection between genetics and major depressive disorder.
Science has also proven that if the frontal lobe of your brain is less active, you also are at an increased risk of depression. This concept is still being studied to determine if the lesser activity comes before or after depressive symptoms.
Gender is another genetic factor that contributes to the causes of depression. Depression is twice as likely to occur in women as opposed to men. That is likely due to their frequent changes in hormone levels that contribute to major life occurrences such as menstrual cycles and menopause.
Treating Dual Diagnoses at Decision Point Center
To help people through dual diagnosis, the team at Decision Point Center focuses on treating both conditions. We help you stop using any substance and work through both mental health issues and addiction using behavioral therapies, psychiatry, supportive housing, and support groups.
If you find yourself or a loved one struggling with any substance and mental illness, our compassionate team can guide you through. Contact us online or call us at (844) 292-5010 today to start your journey.