Can You Go To Rehab For Depression?

The term “rehab” is often used in conversations about addiction treatment. Does it apply to mental health, too? Can you go to rehab for depression?

Can you go to rehab for depression? Yes, you absolutely can!

As we’ll discuss later in today’s post, depression can be treated with a wide range of services in several different environments. Once you’ve decided to get help, you may be pleasantly surprised at the range of options that are available to you.

For many people, a more difficult question than “Can I go to rehab for depression?” is “How do I know if I need rehab for depression?”

If you’ve begun to suspect that you can benefit from treatment, an ideal first step would be to consult with your doctor, or schedule an assessment with a reputable depression treatment provider in your area.

If you’re not yet sure if you need to schedule a consultation or an assessment, ask yourself the following questions:

Do you frequently feel sad or down, often for no apparent reason?
Do you often struggle with low energy and/or a lack of motivation?
Do you often feel tired, even if you’ve had a full night’s sleep?
Have your sleep habits changed, so that you’re sleeping much more or much less than usual?
Have you begun to eat much more or much less than you used to?
Some days, is it difficult for you to get out of bed and get on with your day?
Do you have difficulty focusing, concentrating, or paying attention?
Have you started to lose interest in hobbies, other activities, or topics that used to be important to you?
Do you ever feel like you’re moving in slow motion, or that you can’t keep up with conversations, assignments, or the pace of everyday life?
Have you had thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or simply wished you had never been born or could just disappear?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, it may be time to schedule an assessment. The good news about depression is that it is a treatable condition. When you get the right type of help, you can begin to live a much more hopeful and satisfying life.

One more important note: If you fear that you are at imminent risk of suicide, please get help immediately. You can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, either by visiting their website or calling or texting 988.

This free resource is staffed by trained professionals who can talk to you about what you’re going through and connect you with appropriate resources in your area.

What Happens in Rehab for Depression?

When you’re evaluated by your doctor or a mental health expert in your area, the professional who conducts your assessment should also be able to recommend appropriate depression treatment options.

The more you understand about what happens in rehab for depression, the better prepared you’ll be to make the best decision.

Levels of Care

One of the first decisions you’ll need to make involves level of care. Here’s a quick overview of the four most common levels of depression treatment:

Residential: When you’re in a residential program, you will live at the center where you’re receiving care. This can be an ideal starting point for people who have been experiencing severe symptoms that have had a significant impact on their ability to function.
Partial hospitalization program (PHP): At the PHP level, you will usually receive five or six hours of treatment, five days per week. However, unlike in a residential program, PHP patients only need to be at the center when treatment is in session. In the evenings and on the weekends, you’ll be able to spend time at home.
Intensive outpatient program (IOP): IOPs usually offer about three hours of treatment per day, with patients attending sessions two to five days per week. This offers greater scheduling flexibility, so that you can work, take classes, or otherwise take care of outside obligations while still receiving quality clinical services on a regular basis.
Outpatient program (OP): Outpatient therapy usually involves individual or group sessions, scheduled on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis. This level can be an ideal source of ongoing support as you work to better manage your symptoms and build a healthier future for yourself.

Some people receive care at only one level, while others spend time in two, three, or all four. There’s no right or wrong path – what matters most is finding the path that’s best for you.

Types of Treatment

Depression treatment should never be a “one size fits all” experience. Every person who is affected by this condition is impacted in a unique way, and should receive customized care that reflects their specific circumstances.

Depending on a variety of individual factors, as well as which type of program you’re enrolled in, your treatment in depression rehab may include elements such as:

Medication management
Individual psychotherapy
Group therapy
Family therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Holistic therapies
Red light therapy
Brainspotting

Benefits of Rehab for Depression

The many benefits of choosing rehab for depression include:

Safety: While you’re in treatment, you will be in a safe and welcoming place among people who truly care about you.
Knowledge: While you’re in rehab, you can gain greater insights into the disease of depression and the process of recovery.
Skills: Therapy sessions can help you develop essential skills for managing your symptoms and responding to triggers in a healthy manner.
Medication: Various forms of prescription medication have proved to be quite effective at easing or eliminating the symptoms of depression.
Support: Untreated depression can be isolating. When you enter treatment, you’ll discover that you are not alone, and you’ll learn how to build an effective personal support network.

How to Choose the Right Depression Rehab

When you’re evaluating depression rehabs, don’t ever be afraid to ask questions or request additional information. Getting answers to the following types of questions can help you determine which depression rehab is right for you:

What programs or levels of care does the depression rehab offer?
Which types of therapies do they provide?
How will they determine which programs and therapies are right for you?
What are the qualifications of the people who will be providing your care?
How long will you need to remain in treatment?
How do they define a successful treatment experience for their patients?
What types of discharge planning services or aftercare support do they provide?
Can you use your insurance to pay for treatment?

Learn More About Rehab for Depression in Atlanta

North Atlanta Behavioral Health offers customized depression treatment at the PHP, IOP, and outpatient levels. Our center is staffed by dedicated professionals who will work closely with you to provide the focused care you need and the compassionate support you deserve.

To learn more about how we can help, or to schedule a free consultation, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.