What Should I Treat First, Depression or My Addiction?

Depression and Addiction Throughout life, everyone has bad days and low moments. We all get into a “funk” or have times when we feel the blues. While this is a normal part of life and reaction to stress or traumatic events, depression is an entirely different thing. According to the American Psychiatry Associaton, Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. The condition causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home. Depression very often leads people down the path of addiction. This could be due to self-medicating pre-diagnosis or post-diagnosis, because depression can be a trigger of stress, or because someone has become addicted to their prescription medication for their condition. Whatever the case may be, it is very important to look out for the signs of both. It is also important to know that both conditions are treatable, and should be treated at the same time. Understanding Depression Depression is much more than just feelings of sadness. Its symptoms are often debilitating, leading people to isolate from loved ones, activities they once enjoyed, their jobs and more. Above all, it can lead to death. If you or someone you love is suffering from depression, it is important to get help as soon as possible before symptoms worse...
Source: Cliffside Malibu - Category: Addiction Authors: Tags: Addiction Depression Depression Treatment Dual Diagnosis and Eating Disorder Treatment antidepressants co-occurring disorder co-occurring disorders co-occurring disorders treatment co-occurring psychological disorders depression disorder Source Type: blogs