Depression Treatment

Depression looks different from one person to the next, and symptoms often build slowly before they become impossible to ignore. Signs and symptoms of depression can include: 

• Sad, empty, or hopeless mood most of the day, nearly every day 

• Clear loss of interest or pleasure in activities that once mattered 

• Noticeable changes in appetite or weight, either up or down, without trying 

• Trouble sleeping, or, in some cases, sleeping far more than usual 

• Feeling restless or, on the other hand, moving or speaking more slowly than usual 

• Ongoing fatigue or lack of energy 

• Feelings of worthlessness or heavy, undeserved guilt 

• Trouble concentrating, thinking clearly, or making decisions 

• Recurring thoughts of death, thoughts of suicide, or a suicide attempt 

These symptoms cause real distress and impact a person’s ability to function appropriately. When someone is experiencing depression symptoms that reach the point of suicidal thinking, severe self-neglect, or an inability to stay safe, an inpatient depression treatment center like Coastal Pines Behavioral Health in St. Augustine, Florida, can offer the level of support outpatient care is not built for. 

If you or someone you love is in immediate danger or is having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please call 911 or reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 for free, confidential help 24/7. You can also go to your nearest emergency room or come directly to our hospital at 150 Moon Bay Parkway in St. Augustine. 

Depression that goes untreated rarely stays the same. When a person doesn’t get help, depression symptoms tend to get worse and spread into nearly every aspect of their life. Untreated depression is linked to a range of serious consequences, including: 

• Heightened risk for suicide: Depression is one of the leading factors for suicide. Ongoing thoughts of suicide, planning, or attempts call for immediate psychiatric care. 

• Worsening physical health: Research has long connected depression with higher rates of heart disease, weaker immune response, chronic pain, and poorer outcomes for other medical conditions. 

• Substance use: Many people try to cope with depression symptoms by turning to alcohol or other substances, which usually worsens depression and can eventually turn into a co-occurring addiction. 

• Strained relationships and isolation: Pulling away, snapping at loved ones, and displaying emotional numbness can wear down connections with family, friends, and coworkers. 

• Job loss and financial strain: Trouble concentrating, low energy, and missed work can derail a career and cause money problems. 

• Other mental health disorders: Depression symptoms often show up alongside symptoms of other mental health disorders, like anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and other types of depressive disorders, which can cause the person to suffer even more. 

The earlier a person who has depression receives treatment, the better the outlook tends to be. When symptoms reach a crisis point, inpatient care is often the most direct path to safety and the start of healing. 

Our inpatient depression treatment center is designed for individuals whose symptoms have escalated to the point that they need 24-hour care and supervision. Patients who are admitted for depression receive a full intake assessment, a personalized plan of care, and daily access to a clinical team that works together on every part of their treatment process. The typical inpatient stay at our depression treatment center in St. Augustine, Florida, is seven to 10 days, though the actual length of time a person spends in our care depends on their needs and how they are responding to treatment. 

Each person’s depression treatment plan may look a little different depending on where they are on their healing journey and how severe their symptoms are, but the following are examples of the services that may be included: 

• Basic medical care: While we are not able to treat complex medical conditions, our physicians and nurses can provide basic medical care when necessary. 

• Medication management services: Many patients who are suffering from depression benefit from taking certain prescription medications, such as antidepressants. These patients have the opportunity to meet with a psychiatrist at least six days of the week for medication management services, and members of our nursing team are available 24/7 to help with administering the medications and monitoring their effects. 

• Group therapy: Group therapy is the primary form of depression treatment we use at our St. Augustine hospital. Group therapy sessions give patients an opportunity to connect with peers while also working with trained professionals. Sessions are held daily and may include discussions on topics like healthy boundaries, coping skills, self-esteem, and the effects of trauma. 

• Family therapy: When clinically appropriate, patients may receive family therapy sessions with master’s-level clinicians. These sessions allow patients and their family members to work on building healthy communication skills while also giving family members time to gain an education on depression and what their loved one is going through. 

Our approach to depression treatment includes using different types of research-backed therapeutic interventions so that our patients have a well-rounded experience. Examples of the types of therapies we use at our depression treatment center include: 

• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) 

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) 

• Motivational interviewing 

• Principles of the 12-Step model of recovery (for patients who are struggling with co-occurring addiction concerns) 

Receiving inpatient treatment for depression has many benefits. Examples of these benefits can include: 

• Immediate safety and stabilization: Round-the-clock monitoring by nursing and behavioral health staff allows for a fast response to thoughts of suicide, severe self-neglect, self-harm, and acute distress. 

• A break from outside stressors: Stepping away from work, school, household responsibilities, and other pressures gives patients room to focus fully on healing. 

• Daily access to a psychiatrist: Most patients meet with a psychiatrist at least six days of the week, allowing for ongoing oversight and medication adjustments when needed. 

• A full schedule of therapeutic interventions: Daily group therapy, family therapy as clinically appropriate, and a structured daily routine help patients progress in their treatment process more quickly than they would be able to in another setting. 

• A purpose-built hospital: Our St. Augustine hospital was designed specifically for behavioral healthcare, with thoughtful architecture, calming artwork, and clinical features that are made for inpatient psychiatric care. 

• Aftercare planning from day 1: Discharge planning starts the day a patient is admitted to our depression treatment center so that each person leaves with a clear plan for what comes next once acute symptoms have decreased and they no longer need inpatient care. 

Inpatient depression treatment is not about staying longer than needed. It is about creating the right conditions for real change to happen in the shortest, most focused time possible, setting up patients for true and lasting healing.

If you or someone you love is struggling with depression, Coastal Pines Behavioral Health is here to help. Our inpatient depression treatment center serves people across northeast Florida and southern Georgia, and we are here to answer your questions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  

Don’t continue to suffer. Call us today.