Chronic depression is a debilitating condition for many people. It may lead to substance use, anxiety, and even thoughts of suicide. If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, PLEASE call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). It may also be time to consider seeking treatment for your substance use disorder and chronic depression. Bayview Recovery offers treatment for both conditions simultaneously through our dual diagnosis treatment program. For more information about chronic depression and the treatment options available, please contact Bayview Recovery today at 855.478.3650.
What Is Chronic Depression?
Mental health issues often accompany substance use issues, even if you aren’t consciously aware of the fact. You may know you’re experiencing mental and emotional pain, but you don’t understand why. For some people, depression presents itself after an isolated incident. Some people feel sad and hopeless after a relationship ends or during a significant life transition, such as losing a job. For others, they suffer from chronic depression that lasts for many months or even years. When you are experiencing chronic depression, your life can feel totally overcome with sadness and fear. You can struggle with feeling lost, alone, confused, and overwhelmed. You may feel as though there is no meaning or purpose in life.
In many cases, people feel that they haven’t found the true purpose that will ultimately bring them fulfillment and satisfaction in their lives. They suffer from debilitating symptoms of depression on a daily basis. For instance, they may experience severe fatigue, where they have trouble getting out of bed, maintaining their energy throughout the day, and having the strength to cope with their everyday lives. They may also have insomnia which exacerbates their exhaustion. They may struggle with daily anxiety that makes them feel nervous, worried, and afraid. Their fear may even manifest as paralyzing panic attacks.
In addition, they may feel physical pain, discomfort, and soreness with depression, proving that depression can affect them physically as much as it does mentally and emotionally. Chronic depression can overtake their life and make it hard for them to focus, concentrate, think critically and solve problems. Their minds can race, and they can struggle with excessive worrying and overthinking.
What Happens If Depression Goes Untreated?
Chronic depression, when left untreated, can worsen until the person experiences drastic breakdowns in their mental health and overall well-being. Some people may experience a nervous breakdown, where the person can’t stop panicking. In addition, they may lose their appetite and be unable to sleep. Some people can’t seem to stop crying, no matter what they do. If the person also suffers from bipolar depression, they can experience the crash after a manic episode. Undiagnosed and untreated depression of any kind can be dangerous and even life-threatening. They can be overcome by suicidal thoughts and ideations, active visualizations of how they will harm ourselves. Along with anxiety and panic, they can experience chronic anxiety disorders such as:
- Thought complexes
- Phobias
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Delusions
Your wellness and happiness depend on whether they address the chronic mental and emotional health issues. Your pain only worsens when you continue to be too afraid to face these issues.
Seek Treatment at Bayview Recovery
We tend to think we’re alone in our pain, especially when we isolate ourselves, but there is hope available to us. Bayview Recovery treats co-occurring disorders such as depression within its addiction treatment programs. We offer a variety of treatment options that we will tailor to your unique needs. For instance, your treatment program may include:
For more information about the treatment options available for substance abuse and chronic depression, call 855.478.3650 today.
Dr. Dave Cundiff, MD, MPH (Medical Reviewer)
