How Inpatient Depression Treatment Centers Raise Awareness for Mental Health Disorders

Educating Arizonans on the effects of mental health

There are millions of people who suffer from mental health disorders, such as anxiety, PTSD, OCD and depression; and sadly, because of social stigma, many of those people refuse to seek help and continue to let their mental well-being crumble. One of the most important ways for people to understand the seriousness of mental health disorder treatment is through education. Inpatient depression treatment centers are helping raise awareness for mental health disorders by educating, not only addicts but families, loved ones and the entire nation on the effects of mental well-being on, not only the body but everything around.

With September being Mental Illness Awareness month, inpatient depression treatment centers are working double time to educate anyone who will listen to the information about the detrimental effects of mental health disorders and how they can lead to addiction or death. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “In the past, mental illness was hidden away. The more we talk about it, the better it is”. In fact, the open and honest discussion about mental health disorders can help people realize that they have a problem that can be treated in a healthy and natural way. There is no reason to continually suffer because they are embarrassed or ashamed.

Psychology Today and the 1999 United States Surgeon General have both named social stigma as “the biggest barrier to mental health care”. People who suffer from mental health disorders already suffer from isolation and damaged relationships, social stigma will only cripple them further. The most common mental health disorders that are treated at inpatient depression treatment centers include anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia and depression; depression being the most common of them all.

There are many different types of depression, such as:

• Major, Endogenous, Melancholic and Chronic Depressive Disorder: Major Depressive, Chronic, Melancholic and Endogenous depression are all quite similar. Those who suffer will exhibit irritability, loss of interest, feelings of guilt and indecisiveness.
• Seasonal Affective Disorder: Seasonal affective disorder is related to seasonal changes. People who suffer from this depression usually start to feel sad in the fall and continue into winter; they begin to feel less moody in the spring and summer months.
• Atypical Depression: Atypical depression is quite interesting because, unlike the normal characteristics of depression where nothing seems to make people happy, those with this type can feel a boost of their mood when a positive event occurs.
• Perinatal and Postpartum Depression: Perinatal and postpartum depression occur in women during and after pregnancy. Studies show that about 15 percent of women experience some type of depression during their pregnancies. It would not be surprising to find out that a lot of these women blame their crying, anxiety or fatigue on hormones rather than a mental disorder.

• Manic Depression: Manic depression, often confused with bipolar disorder, is characterized by someone who experiences periods of intense highs followed by extreme lows.
• Elderly Depression: Depression among the elderly is more common than you think; mostly because they are going through extreme life changes, both mentally and physically and it is hard to cope with these changes, especially if they are doing it alone.

When left untreated, depression can lead to many negative attributes, such as feelings of guilt or worthlessness, irritability, fatigue, loss of interest in daily activities, aches and pains, difficulty thinking or concentrating, changes in appetite and suicidal thoughts. Those who are depressed tend to isolate themselves from their loved ones and exhibit aggressive behaviors when confronted about their issue; these effects are often associated with substance abuse as well, which can also be successfully treated at an inpatient depression treatment center.

In order for mental health disorders, such as depression, as well as substance addiction, to be treated successfully, people need to admit themselves into Arizona’s best inpatient depression treatment centers. The centers offer a safe, calm and positive environment for patients to focus on their mind, body and soul in order to achieve a long-lasting, healthy life. Patients should expect to take part in a combination of traditional and experiential therapies that will help them recognize their negative behaviors and replace them with positive coping mechanisms, as well as connect with their deepest and innermost feelings in order to determine triggers or causes of their conditions.

Inpatient depression treatment centers help people regain control of their life and teach them the tools necessary to cope with negative environments and increase longevity.