Depression

Have activities that were once pleasurable lost their appeal? Has sadness robbed you of the desires, self-esteem, motivation, and self-worth you once possessed? If so, you may be clinically depressed. Depression is the leading cause of disability around the world, and sadly, only about 50 percent of these individuals will ever receive treatment. Depression is not a sign of weakness or a negative personality. It is a major public health problem and a treatable medical condition.


Depression is a chronic, progressive illness that may worsen without treatment. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. Patients may also be haunted by a sense of guilt or worthlessness, lack of hope, and recurring thoughts of death or suicide. It can make other health problems feel worse, particularly chronic pain. Additionally, statistics confirm that alcohol addiction and drug addiction are more common among people with depression than in the population as a whole. In fact, The National Institute on Health reported that almost 1/3 of individuals with depression had a coexisting existing substance use disorder at some point in their lives. Individuals with both mental illness and substance abuse disorders will benefit from the comprehensive, multidisciplinary care provided at The Landon Institute.

Written by Eric Niccole

Posted on July 17, 2016

Despite the feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, the condition is highly treatable. Brain circuits that regulate mood may work less efficiently during depression and evidence shows that individuals may be biologically prone to develop the disorder, often triggered by stress, alcohol or substance abuse, hormonal changes, or even the season. Depression can make other health problems feel worse, particularly chronic pain. Key brain chemicals influence both mood and pain. Treating depression has been shown to improve co-existing illnesses.


Discussing moods, behaviors, and daily activities can help reveal the severity and type of depression. This is a critical step in determining the most effective treatment. While more than 80% of people get better, no two people are affected the same way by depression and there is no "one-size-fits-all" treatment.

Depression is a chronic, progressive illness that may worsen without treatment. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working.

Our Board Certified Psychiatrists, based upon their expertise and years of experience, take a comprehensive approach to treatment, combining evidence-based antidepressants with psychiatric counseling to assist in the patient's recovery. Additionally, treatment may indicate the usage of TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), a magnetic diagnostic procedure used to stimulate small regions of the brain to measure the connection between the brain and a particular muscle in order to evaluate any existing damage (i.e. stroke, MS, cranial or spinal cord nerve damage). Evidence has shown TMS to be a useful procedure for neuropathic pain and the treatment for resistant major depressive disorder.


Antidepressants are a popular treatment choice for those with depression. They may help improve the way your brain uses certain chemicals that control mood or stress. Brain circuits that regulate mood may work less efficiently during depression. Drugs that treat depression are believed to improve communication between nerve cells, making them run more normally. Antidepressants affect the levels of brain chemicals, such as serotonin and norepinephrine.

Medications that are available include SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), SNRIs, NDRIs, tricyclic and atypical antidepressants and MAOIs. Our integrated facility provides 24-hour care to monitor the critical and delicate balance involved as the physicians and patients work closely together to establish a new, effective medication protocol while minimizing any side effects that may arise. Medication management is a vital component as our psychiatrists strive to strike a balance between medications or dosage adjustments and to insure that all medications are administered as scheduled.


At The Landon Institute we are uniquely prepared to provide the comprehensive services that will identify and address the root causes of your problems, and provide each patient with the tools needed to empower the patient to achieve long-term recovery. Hope and relief are possible. “There are far, far better things ahead than anything we leave behind.” -- C.S. Lewis

Depression can make other health problems feel worse, particularly chronic pain. Key brain chemicals influence both mood and pain. Treating depression has been shown to improve co-existing illnesses.

You're Not Alone

At our beautiful institute in Newport Beach, California, The Landon Institute provides nationally recognized evidence-based outpatient treatment programs for addiction, rehabilitation, and recovery. Our Board Certified Physicians are extensively experienced in addiction recovery and rehabilitation. We believe in a comprehensive, whole-recovery approach to overcoming chemical and/or alcohol dependency that focuses on all three factors of health that addiction affects: physical, mental and emotional health.

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