Blog - Beach House Rehab Center
A close up of a dictionary with the definition for depression as the focus.
July 25, 2022

Severe Depression Symptoms

Depression is more than a low mood or a lack of motivation. It’s a potentially disabling condition that can leave you struggling to do simple things like taking a shower or getting dressed. If ongoing, intense feelings of sadness, hopelessness and emptiness are preventing you from living your life to the fullest, you could have severe depression. Here is what you should know about this mental illness, including how to get help. 

Warning Signs of Depression

You might have severe depression if symptoms like these significantly impair your daily functioning for more than two weeks.

  • A lack of interest in previously enjoyable hobbies
  • Dramatic changes in your sleeping and eating habits
  • Extreme fatigue and apathy
  • Difficulties concentrating and making decisions
  • Persistent feelings of guilt or worthlessness
  • Frequent thoughts about death or suicide

Some people with severe depression experience physical problems like unexplained body aches, gastrointestinal issues or slowed speech and movement. These side effects relate to two neurotransmitters called serotonin and norepinephrine, which affect your mood and play a role in your ability to feel pain.

What Causes Depression?

Why do some people get severe depression and others don’t? Mental health disorders are complex conditions with various causes. Risk factors can include genetics, age, environmental variables, major life changes, grief, social isolation and drug or alcohol abuse.

Everyone copes with their feelings differently. Depression and other mental illnesses can happen to anybody, and these conditions’ severity can increase without treatment. Don’t let fear or stigma prevent you from asking for help.

How to Get Treatment for Severe Depression

To receive an official medical diagnosis of clinical depression, start by making an appointment with a health professional such as a doctor or psychiatrist. They can rule out other illnesses that might present with similar symptoms. Due to the closely linked nature of addiction and depression, they may also screen you for a co-occurring substance use disorder.

While many people have found relief from their symptoms with antidepressants, it might take some trial and error to find a treatment regimen that works for you. You can also benefit from working with a therapist, who can equip you with healthy coping strategies for managing your severe depression.

Even seemingly minor lifestyle modifications could make a noticeable difference in how you feel. For example, by keeping a journal of your daily moods, you can identify triggers that make your symptoms worse and take steps to avoid them. Getting more exercise and practicing self-care can also motivate you to continue pursuing other healthy habits.

Make a Fresh Start at Beach House

Severe depression can make you feel like you don’t deserve to feel better, but don’t lose hope. At Beach House, we have intentionally created an environment that allows you to focus on healing your mental, physical and spiritual health. We provide an ideal atmosphere for recovery at our quiet, resort-like beachfront haven. Here, you will benefit from a complete continuum of care, from medically managed detox to aftercare programming.

Our commitment to providing evidence-based therapies for addiction and co-occurring disorders such as depression enables us to provide reliable, tested methods of helping people recover. Everyone who seeks treatment with us receives a consistently high level of care, and our experienced team members are here to provide 24/7 support to those who need it most. When you’re ready to find freedom, our admissions advisors are waiting to take your call