There’s a way through the fog of depression.
What Is Depression?
Depression is a mental health condition marked by persistent feelings of sadness, helplessness, and hopelessness. It affects how you feel, think, and move through life, often without a clear or direct cause, and it can make everyday activities feel impossible to manage. If you’re also struggling with substance use, treating both conditions together gives you the best chance at lasting relief.
If you’re having thoughts of suicide or death, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or 911 for immediate help.
Depression can come from a mix of factors: brain chemistry, hormone imbalances, inherited traits, and environmental circumstances all play a role, which is part of why it isn’t something you can simply think your way out of.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression
- Feeling tired or lacking energy all the time
- Sadness that’s profound and sometimes unexplained
- Feeling worthless or helpless
- No longer wanting to engage in activities you used to enjoy
- Changes in appetite, including loss of appetite or significant weight gain
- Trouble in relationships
- Slowed thinking or body movements
Types of Depression
Depression shows up differently from person to person. The most common forms include:
- Major depressive disorder, the most common type, causing severe symptoms that last two weeks or longer.
- Persistent depressive disorder, a longer-lasting but often less acute form that continues for two years or more.
Bipolar disorder is sometimes grouped alongside depression because it includes depressive episodes, but it’s its own diagnosis, not a type of depression: it also involves manic or hypomanic episodes, which call for a different treatment approach. Learn more about bipolar disorder and addiction treatment.
How Depression and Addiction Are Linked
Many people with depression turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with what they’re experiencing. It can soothe symptoms initially, but it doesn’t provide any long-term benefit, and over time it tends to make both the depression and your overall health worse. Treatment for depression and addiction needs to happen at the same time: addressing both conditions together gives you the best chance of overcoming either one.
How We Can Help With Depression
For some clients, medication that supports brain chemistry and hormone regulation can ease symptoms directly. For others, especially when depression and addiction are intertwined, the work happens mainly through talk therapy. Depression and addiction treatment at GBAC is available through:
Does Insurance Cover Depression Treatment?
Many private plans cover medically necessary treatment, though deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and authorization requirements vary by plan. We work with most major insurers and verify your benefits for free; checking doesn’t commit you to treatment.
Talk to Someone Who Can Help You Take the Next Step
Struggling with depression is hard to manage alone, and it doesn’t have to be managed that way. We’re in Needham, MA, at 322 Reservoir Street, serving Boston, Dedham, Newton, Waltham, Wellesley, Weston, and nearby communities. Call (877) 920-6583 for a free, confidential conversation, or verify your insurance online.
Frequently asked questions
What therapies are used for depression at GBAC?
Individual and group talk therapy are central, often alongside medication to help regulate brain chemistry when that's clinically appropriate, within the same plan that addresses substance use.
Do clients from Wellesley and Weston attend GBAC's depression treatment program?
Yes. We're based in Needham, MA, and see clients from across the area, including Wellesley, Weston, Newton, and Boston.
How do I know if I need treatment for depression?
Persistent sadness, low energy, loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, and trouble functioning day to day are common signs. If they're affecting your life, or you're using substances to cope with them, it's worth talking to someone.
Can you continue working while receiving treatment for depression?
Often, yes. Our evening treatment program and standard outpatient care are built to fit around work, school, and family responsibilities.
Does insurance cover depression treatment in Massachusetts?
Many private plans cover medically necessary treatment, though deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and authorization requirements vary by plan. We verify your benefits for free before you commit to anything.