depression

Understanding Depression

How Depression Works

Depression is a mood disorder that changes the way you think, feel, and perceive the world. Also, known as, clinical depression or major depressive disorder, it can lead to persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest along with other emotional and physical symptoms.

More than just a spell of the blues, patients may have trouble with performing normal day to day activities or have negative thoughts of hopelessness, helplessness, and/or despair.

Depression Is Not Phase

It can have enormous depth and staying power and it is certainly not something you can simply “snap out” of and feel gratitude or confidence around. Depression requires long-term treatment and lifestyle changes. But, don’t get discouraged!

Here are five effective ways to manage your depression.

  • First, and most important, medication management. 

    Antidepressant medications are not a cure for depression, however, medication management helps stabilize the imbalance of chemicals in the brain. Neurotransmitters are the chemicals. Antidepressant medications target specific neurotransmitter to relieve the symptoms of depression.

  • Second, Therapeutic management! 

    Therapeutic management involves behavioral therapy in a group or one on one session. Also, behavioral therapy focuses on building coping skills to manage negative thoughts and regain a healthy lifestyle. Behavioral therapy is used as a complimenting treatment to medication management. These two treatment modalities go together like macaroni and cheese or peanut butter and jelly. Together they become a winning combo!

  • Third, Healthy diet!  

    Interestingly enough our gut and brain share a close relationship with one another by connection of the vagus nerve. Therefore, research has shown that an healthy diet, leads to a Happy Gut, which improves sleep, cognition, and mood.

  • Fourth, Exercise!

    Routine exercise releases endorphins in the brain that can enhance your well being. It can also serve as a positive coping skill to get away from the negative cycle of thoughts that feed depression.

  • Lastly, Healthy Sleep Hygiene! 

    The ability to achieve 6 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per day is considered Good Sleep Hygiene. Sleep is an important function in our daily lives to allow are body and brain the ability to REST and RESET! The fight of depression can feel like a lonely and arduous experience, however, D’Amore Healthcare is here to help you take your first steps to a healthy mind, body, and spirit!

 

Dr. Chinyelu Chukwurah, DNP, RN, FNP-BC

 

D’Amore Healthcare is a dual diagnosis, substance abuse addiction treatment center in Orange County, CA. We provide information and treatment for people dealing with the life-shattering cycle of substance abuse and addiction. If someone needs immediate help, call us at 714.375.1110 or contact us online.

Call now for help. Available 24-hours 714.375.1110

 

Edited For Accuracy By:

Picture of Gary Tucker, LMFT

Gary Tucker, LMFT

Gary is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), California License #100477, and serves as Chief Clinical Officer at D’Amore Mental Health.

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D'Amore Healthcare holds a special place in my heart. When I walked through their doors I was at the most vulnerable point of my life. I'm leaving with the confidence that I can overcome the depression and anxiety that has been crippling me for the past several years.. My therapist Paul was a critical part of this journey and I'm grateful to have been in his care. Also, I can't say enough about the entire staff at this facilify. It's obvious they truly care about what they do and I felt that from the very first day in treatment. I would recommend D'Amore to anyone that is suffering in silence and doesn't know how to find a way through the pain.
Kurt HauckPosted on Google
This review is for their residential program. Tysm D'Amore for helping me recover. They really helped me through my trauma. The staff are very caring and they try everything they can to keep patients happy. Everyone was so kind and even though the food wasn't the healthiest, they make sure you are fed well everyday. The BHTS always check on you and are there to listen to you if you are having a bad day.
Mikaela LowancePosted on Google
I was suicidal when admitted. Although I have lent complete the program yet I’m compelled yo write a review.

Sweet and brief: I cannot express clearly with words how impressed I have been with every single person affiliated with the program. Top to bottom you will find genuine, caring people all with great smiles.

Just the other day I described to my therapist Paul my feelings that “I’ve had some of the best days of my life” in their care!

As strange as that might sound it’s the absolute truth. I feel like I’m being reincarnated into the person inside me that’s been hurt and hiding for a lifetime.

I’m so grateful for the personal discoveries!

Stephen
Stephen SumneyPosted on Google
I can't say how grateful my family is for this wonderful organization. Last fall a family member was in very bad shape on a number of levels (mental health, addiction), and hit rock bottom. We were referred to D'Amore. A crisis team came out to help us late on a Thursday night. Our loved one agreed to go to treatment. Friday afternoon D'Amore sent a team to bring them to their facility (they helped pack whatever was needed, clothing, etc, and assured them it's a safe place, and allayed their anxiety). What happened over the next few months was amazing. The entire staff is very professional, and really cares.
Eric SchroederPosted on Google
With the proper commitment to positive growth, D’Amore is a place that WILL give you the necessary education, guidance, grace, and support to set you up for success. When looking for programs, my family was recommended D’Amore from two separate unaffiliated programs. As someone who has been to other programs, within my first few days I knew change was going to happen and STAY consistent as long as I did the work. I cannot praise the program and staff enough for how life changing my experience was. If you are ready for the help, D’Amore is the place to receive it.
Levi AresPosted on Google
This place and all the people have helped to turn my son’s life around. They are very sympathetic to the situation but still need to do what it takes for change. They worked with him to realize his life can be better and showed him what hg with take. A big thank you to everyone there
Richard HosekPosted on Google
I cannot say enough good things about D’Amore Healthcare. My daughter attended their program Spring of 2023 and the results have been truly life changing. She had been to numerous treatment facilities in the past but none of them produced the amazing results D’Amore did. From our first contact with the staff, I could tell how caring and knowledgeable they all were. My phone calls and texts were always returned and all my questions and concerns were promptly and professionally handled. My daughter talks very highly about the treatment and care she received there. I wish we would have found them years ago but will forever be thankful for their help.
Michele LoftinPosted on Google

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depression

Understanding Depression

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