How Long Is Depression Rehab? What to Expect

From Springbrook Hospital –

Individuals who struggle to function due to major depression often benefit from inpatient treatment, but before they begin, they want to know: How long is depression rehab? Even if depression impedes their ability to complete daily tasks, many people continue to worry about their responsibilities and what would happen if they took the time to get help.

As one of the most common mental illnesses, depression is far from a small, isolated problem. In 2020, the National Institute of Mental Health reported that approximately 21 million adults in the United States experienced at least one major depressive episode. Furthermore, almost three quarters of those episodes resulted in severe impairment for their duration.

Like all serious illnesses, depression cannot be willed away. To heal from it often requires reaching out for professional help. Today, we will discuss what that looks like and address one of the most elusive concerns: How long is depression rehab?

Types of Depression Rehab

The answer to the question, “How long is depression rehab?” depends on several factors. One of the most influential aspects involves the specific type of treatment someone gets, of which there are many.

Symptoms of depression exist on a broad spectrum. Some people are bedridden by their mental illness, while others can mask their struggles entirely. Because it is such a diverse condition, treatments for depression must be able to accommodate a variety of situations.

Below are four of the most common and effective treatment programs for depression.

Adult Psychiatric Services

The first type of rehab for depression offered at Springbrook Behavioral Hospital is an adult psychiatric program. The psychiatric services available at Springbrook Behavioral Hospital offer a highly intensive level of care, allowing patients to live on-site for the duration of treatment.

When answering, “How long is depression rehab?” a patient’s ability to spend the entirety of their time immersed in treatment can have a substantial effect. They can expect to attend therapy sessions nearly every day, where they will develop vital coping skills to help them manage their symptoms.

Furthermore, this program is designed for individuals who struggle to take care of themselves or keep up with the tasks of their daily lives. They may not be experiencing an acute crisis, but if their depression has been impeding their functionality for a long period of time, an intensive level of care can be crucial to their recovery.

Treatment options utilized by our adult psychiatric services include:

• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Medication assessment and management
• Family therapy
• Psychoeducational focus groups
• Recreational therapy
• Discharge and aftercare planning
• Links to community-based services and support groups

By participating in a variety of psychotherapies and educational activities, patients can learn to overcome their depression. Some people, especially those who have dealt with major depression the longest, may have a difficult time recognizing their healing potential.

For instance, they may ask, “How long is depression rehab?” while in the deepest throes of mental illness. In the beginning, recovery may seem unattainable, but know this: Depression rehab does not last forever. It helps people heal, and it allows them to move on in a timeframe that suits their needs.

Partial Hospitalization

Some individuals with depression do not require the intensity of fully inpatient treatment. Those who are mentally stable but could still benefit from structured support may opt for a partial hospitalization program (PHP) instead.

During our PHP, patients visit the treatment facility five days a week. They still spend a substantial amount of time participating in important therapeutic activities, but they are able to return home every night.

Because of this, someone’s home environment greatly affects whether PHP would be a good option for them. A chaotic, empty, or otherwise unsupportive home life is not conducive to depression recovery. In fact, it could make the answer to, “How long is depression rehab?” even longer than it needs to be.

Therefore, individuals who opt for a PHP should have a warm and encouraging home where they can spend nights and weekends. Surrounding themselves with strong support groups and loved ones can expedite the recovery process. At the very least, it makes it all the more rewarding to celebrate each small step forward.

Crisis Stabilization Services

While individuals who participate in PHPs may need less intensive care, others require the opposite. People experiencing a mental health crisis need a place to go for immediate, effective care. They can find support from our crisis stabilization services, which are designed to receive individuals in severe, acute distress.

When asking questions like, “How long is depression rehab?” it becomes easy to fixate on the idea of long-term support for individuals who have battled depression for weeks, months, or even years. However, in some cases, people may only need intervening care when they experience extreme, heightened episodes of depression.

Crisis stabilization services fill that vacancy. Individuals admitted during a crisis are placed under the care of a trained crisis team, which consists of licensed psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, and more. They work to identify the source of someone’s distress and stabilize them with quick, compassionate care.

Dual Diagnosis

A dual diagnosis program treats individuals with co-occurring disorders. This means they live with both substance abuse problems and other mental health conditions at the same time. In this case, a common combination might involve major depressive disorder and alcohol addiction.

Substance use disorders and other mental health issues frequently appear together. Current data suggests that more than one in four people with a mental health disorder also battles substance abuse. When reversed, these findings report as many as half of individuals with addictions have other co-occurring mental illnesses.

The possibility of someone having co-occurring disorders adds a new layer to the question, “How long is depression rehab?” Those who seek treatment for depression cannot simply ignore their substance use disorders. To do so increases the likelihood that their symptoms will worsen. After all, addiction and mental health issues often feed into each other, making it crucial that both are treated together.

Thus, the new question becomes, “How long is depression rehab when you have an addiction?” Substance use disorders take time and patience to overcome, which can influence the duration of someone’s treatment.

Fortunately, dual diagnosis programs provide optimized care for those with co-occurring disorders. They allow patients to tackle both issues at once and as effectively as possible.

Springbrook Behavioral Hospital offers dual diagnosis treatment in the form of the Eclipse Program. We combine the most effective treatment options from our psychiatric services with additional care designed specifically to combat addiction.

How Long Is Depression Rehab?

Now that you know more about some of the most common treatments for depression, two questions remain: How long is depression rehab, and which treatment program is right for you?

Ultimately, the best way to gather an estimate for your unique situation is to reach out to a treatment facility like Springbrook Behavioral Hospital. Our admissions team can help assess your needs and provide more information about the best options for you.

In the meantime, we can start by establishing a baseline understanding of treatment durations. As discussed previously, the answer to, “How long is depression rehab?” depends on factors like the severity of someone’s symptoms and the type of treatment they receive.

Crisis Care

In terms of severity, an acute mental health crisis tends to be the most extreme. It can involve drastic symptoms that manifest very suddenly. Individuals who experience them are typically looking for quick, efficient care.

Some people going through a crisis may be admitted under the Baker Act, in which case they are held for a minimum of 72 hours. Afterward, they may be discharged or continue treatment. For many individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, however, the initial 72 hours is enough.

The crisis intervention team at Springbrook Behavioral Hospital is well-equipped to de-escalate any situation within a few days. While a crisis may be indicative of a deeper issue that requires longer treatment, there is also the possibility that someone will be able to return to daily living just after those few days.

In this case, the answer to, “How long is depression rehab?” may turn out to be, “Not long at all.”

Long-Term Depression Rehab

However, should someone further their treatment after receiving crisis care, they may spend much longer in rehab. Longer durations also apply to those who seek treatment unrelated to a crisis, like general psychiatric services or dual diagnosis.

In any case, it does not take forever to treat depressed individuals. Depending on the specifics of someone’s situation, they may spend up to a few more weeks in depression rehab. By this time, they should have spent enough time in our psychoeducational therapy groups to have gained better control over their symptoms.

Overall, “How long is depression rehab?” is a question that can only be accurately answered after someone begins recovery and sets up a treatment plan. Before then, they can take comfort in knowing that depression treatment should not take longer than a few weeks to take effect.

Depression Rehab in Brooksville, Florida

Springbrook Behavioral Hospital is a psychiatric treatment center that provides care for adults with mental health disorders. Located north of Tampa, Florida, our facility offers a tranquil escape from everyday stressors. Patients can focus all of their energy on self-improvement and healing during their time with us.

Everyone who goes through rehab for depression has a unique experience. To start developing your personalized treatment plan and forging your own path to recovery, call our admissions experts at 352-600-3288. You can also submit a confidential contact form. With our support, you can find the answers to other questions like, “How long is depression rehab?” and overcome depression today.

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Original Author: Springbook Hospital