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Depression is an illness that directly affects more people than you may realise, with the World Health Organisation stating that more than 264 million individuals across the globe currently suffer from depression.
Due to this statistic, coupled with the fact that suicide rates are climbing in the United Kingdom with 5,691 people committing suicide in England and Wales in 2019, it is crucial that people start raising their own awareness of this illness and the episodes it can bring about.
At Nova Recovery, we can offer dual diagnosis treatment for people experiencing drug or alcohol addiction and depressive episodes. Learn more below.
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Our admissions team can give you expert help and advice on the best options available for treating depressive episodes and drug or alcohol addiction, get in touch today to find out more.
A depressive episode, from within the context of a larger/long-lasting depressive disorder, is a stretch of time that is characterised by a generally subdued feeling as well as other symptoms of depression lasting for 2 weeks or more in an extreme capacity.
When an individual is in the throes of a depressive episode their behaviours and mood can be massively altered — however, there are some ways that you can try and help to improve your mood during these periods.
Below, we will be looking at some of the most common questions and worries about depressive episodes, answering the likes of “How long do depressive episodes last,” “What is a depressive episode,” as well as telling you how to help someone during a depressive episode.
Depressive Episode Symptoms
A depressive episode can last for a period of time from a couple of weeks to several months. There are some scattered examples of depressive episodes lasting even longer than this, but those can be very extreme cases.
While some of the symptoms of a depressive episode are similar to those of a more general depressive disorder, the symptoms experienced during a depressive episode are generally more intense than the alternative. Some of these symptoms include the likes of:
- Restlessness/anxiousness
- Irritability/frustration at the world around you
- Feelings of fatigue, both muscular and emotional
- Feelings of guilt and/or worthlessness
- General feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or helplessness
- Sudden fluctuations in sleeping patterns
- Changes in weight and/or appetite
- Reduction of interest in activities that once brought you pleasure
- Difficulty retaining concentration
- Suicidal thoughts/ideation
- Physical pains that you cannot ascertain a clear reason for
If you have not sought out a doctor for a diagnosis of any of the above symptoms and you have been experiencing several of them for an extended period of time then you may be suffering from depression and should seek medical advice.
Scotland Based Mental Health & Addiction Treatment Providers
Key offerings available include:
- Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Scotland
- 1:1 Support from Clinical Nurse Practitioners, Registered Mental Health Nurses and Therapists
- Access to Trained Psychiatrists
- 24-Hour Nursing Care
- Comfortable & Quality Accommodation
- Clinically Led Recovery Model Underpinned by Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- 1 Year Aftercare
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Begin your journeyTypes Of Depressive Episodes And Depressive Illnesses
Depression can be a far from simple illness to diagnose and treat. Some of the various mental health conditions that can lead to depressive episodes include the like of:
- Psychotic depression can cause both symptoms of psychosis and depression. This can be quite uncommon but very serious.
- Persistent depressive disorders will typically experience most of the above symptoms consistently for a two-year period (at minimum).
- Bipolar disorder can also cause people to experience elongated periods of depression. Depressive episodes, as well as manic episodes, can be managed with therapy and medication.
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) has been known to cause its sufferers to exhibit symptoms of depression during the winter months.
- Postpartum depression can cause new mothers to exhibit severe periods of depression.
Now let’s have a look at some ways that you can help to deal with a depressive episode.
Tracking Your Triggers And Monitoring Your Own Symptoms
The severity of depressive episodes can fluctuate massively, so it is important to be always aware of your own mental health.
Keeping a diary and even rating on a scale from 0-10 on how you are currently feeling can be useful to help manage your own mental health as well as learn how to spot triggers that have led you into a depressive episode.
Triggers of depressive episodes are often unique to the individual suffering from the depressive episodes, and they can vary from being incredible specific actions/activities to more general situations and/or locations. Other possible triggers can often include the likes of:
- Significant and/or traumatic life events, such as a sudden loss, divorce, being the victim of an assault, or a car accident.
- Changes, sudden or otherwise, to your daily routines.
- Bad diet/eating habits
- Stress
- Certain medications
- Drug and/or alcohol abuse
- Abusive people in your environment
Understand That Your Depression Is Nothing To Be Ashamed Of
Educating yourself more about the intricacies of depressive disorders can assist people in dealing with their burgeoning, or long-standing, conditions. Depression is a severe and genuine mental health disorder that affects many people from all various walks of life and can lead to substance abuse problems which require treatment.
It is not a sign of weakness or a personal shortcoming. Accepting that this is not something that you ought to be ashamed of is very important, and can help to manage symptoms alongside lifestyle alterations such as improved diet, exercise, and therapy.
Understand The Importance Of Proper Self-Care
Self-care, in its various forms, is crucial when it comes to experiencing good physical and mental health. Quite simply, self-care can be qualified as engaging with any action or activity that helps you to look after your own well-being.
This can simply take the form of finding time to relax and reconnect with yourself and loved ones, consuming a healthy diet, partaking in creative or physical activities frequently, or even something like enjoying a soothing bath.
Any action or behaviour that improves your emotional, mental, and also physical health should be thought of as engaging with self-care.
Therapy Can Help Overcome Negative Thoughts
By discussing your depressive episode with your doctor, it may be that you are advised to undergo therapy in order to help you through this period.
Therapies such as CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) and one-to-one therapy with a trained psychiatrist can assist you in making sure that your brain develops new healthier ways of dealing with stressful triggers.
These forms of therapy are something that Nova Recovery’s private rehab specialises in administering, and can help you through these difficult times as part of our dual diagnosis treatment. As we treat substance abuse such as drug or alcohol addiction, we can also help you through depressive episodes.
Depressive episodes are not something to be taken lightly, and so if you feel that you need help in overcoming them please call Nova Recovery Scotland on 01475 303998 to see if we can help you through this period.
John Gillen
- Author
- Last updated: June 23, 2023
John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. His passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases. The journey continues. In recent times, John has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with NAD+ scientists and the very best of the medical professionals in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Hospitals own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists. Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with NAD+ Therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.