If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, or another type of depressive disorder, we want you to know:
There is hope.
Our whole-person, integrated approach to recovery has helped adults aged 18+ experiencing all forms of depression regain their energy, reignite their passions, and reconnect with a sense of purpose.
We can help you or your loved one too.
Recovery is Possible
Our Approach to Healing Depression
Authored by Eric Levine, Ed.D. and Reviewed by Amy Zimmerman, DO Psychiatrist
Finding Hope and Reigniting Passion
With depression, the world can seem like an underexposed film: all shadow and no distinguishable meaning. We know how painful and debilitating this condition can be, so we meet individuals who enter our residential depression treatment programs at both The Farm (our long-term residential treatment center) and CooperRiis at Asheville (our short-term residential treatment center) with profound compassion.
We also believe that individuals with this condition are capable of recovering and living full, gratifying lives. That’s why we do more than temporarily mitigate symptoms; we provide the comprehensive care residents need to achieve long-lasting depression recovery. And that begins with helping them reconnect with their core values.
What is major depressive disorder?
Sadness is a part of life. It’s normal to occasionally experience melancholy, listlessness, or ‘the blues’ in response to environmental changes. Major depressive disorder, however, is characterized by persistent and ongoing feelings of intense sadness paired with a loss of interest in formerly enjoyable activities. Major depressive disorder is a severe mental health condition that impedes daily, professional, and relational functioning and can sometimes make life feel as if it isn’t worth living.
Major depressive disorder is surprisingly common. The Journal of the American Medical Association states that more than 20-26% of U.S. women and more than 8-12% of U.S. men experience at least one incidence of depression in their lifetimes.
The median age for the onset of clinical depression is 32 (U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates by Demographic Characteristics, 2005).
What other kinds of depressive disorders are there?
Major depressive disorder is only one type of depressive disorder. Other types include:
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – This type of depression is directly caused by the time of the year. It occurs most often in the winter months when people have access to less sunlight, typically going away in the spring and summer.
Persistent Depressive Disorder – This is depression that lasts for two years or longer.
Psychotic Depression – This is depression accompanied by psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia.
Postpartum Depression – This is depression that develops in the weeks or months after childbirth.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) – This is depression experienced by women prior to the start of each period. It often occurs with symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, mood swings, changes in appetite, changes in sleep patterns, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and feeling overwhelmed.
Situational Depression – This is a short-term, typically stress-related type of depression that develops in response to a traumatic event. Common events that can trigger situational depression include the death of a loved one, divorce, and illness. Situational depression is also called “stress response syndrome.”
What are the signs and symptoms of major depressive disorder?
To be diagnosed with major depression, a person must be experiencing five or more of the following symptoms for two weeks or longer, with at least one of the symptoms must be a loss of interest in activities or a depressed mood:
- Feelings of sadness and/or irritability
- Loss of interest in once enjoyable activities
- A significant change in weight (loss or gain)
- Changes in sleep patterns – trouble falling asleep, insomnia, or the need to sleep more than usual
- Feeling and appearing restless and agitated or slowed down
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
- Inability to focus/difficulty in thinking
- Thoughts of death or suicide
The exact combination of symptoms can vary from person to person and according to the type of depression experienced. Additionally, some symptoms commonly connected with depression that are not a part of the diagnostic criteria. These include:
- Negative thinking with an inability to see positive solutions
- Irritability/lashing out at loved ones
- Social isolation
- Difficulty making decisions
How do you recover from depression?
A holistic, cross-disciplinary approach to recovery that includes psychotherapy, medication, and physical activity has been shown to be the most effective method of treating depression in young adults, middle aged adults, and older adults. If you are interested in learning more about whether our residential depression recovery program is right for you or your loved one, give us a call today.
Self Exploration and Expression
Dream Statements
Resident-Centered, Relationship-Driven Care
Depression often results in social withdrawal, which in turn triggers more severe symptoms of depression.
Our healing community interrupts this cycle of isolation and despair by embracing residents and supporting them through all stages of their recovery journeys. Individuals who enter our treatment program for depression learn they’re neither alone nor broken when they engage with peers and our expert team of care providers.
Building Self Worth
Stronger Together
Integrated, Whole-Person Treatment
The best major depressive disorder treatment plans are multimodal. That’s why, rather than relying exclusively on medications or therapy, we combine a variety of evidence-based treatments to address all of the following seven domains of health for our residents:
The Seven Domains of Recovery
Treatment Plans That Meet Residents Where They Are
No matter where they are on their recovery journey, every CooperRiis resident receives personalized care that allows them to make sustainable progress towards their goals. While this means every individual’s recovery plan is unique, the following types of depression treatments have been especially beneficial for our residents:
Stress-Free, Invigorating Campuses
Exercise/Movement Practices
Nutrition and Supplements
Medication
Breathwork and Mindfulness Practices
Cognitive Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Compassionate Communication
Family Education
According to a recent study, familial support reduces the re-hospitalization rate for those with mental illnesses (Tomita, Lukens & Herman, 2014). We keep family members updated on their loved one's progress and provide in-depth education on how they can become the support system needed to achieve the highest levels of health and wellness for their loved ones.
Familial support reduces the rate of re-hospitalization for those with mental illnesses, according to a recent study.2 We not only keep family members updated on their loved one's progress with us, but we also provide them with an in-depth education on how they can become the support system individuals with anxiety disorders need in order to achieve their highest levels of health and wellness.Our Recovery Model Works
Data collected over 10 years show that the residential treatment program for depression at CooperRiis works. Individuals who benefit from our holistic, recovery-focused model of care make demonstrable progress in multiple domains of health.
After participating in our program, people with depression:
- Experience improved emotional wellbeing and resilience.
- Have stable senses of purpose and hopefulness.
- Have higher levels of productive energy and stamina.
- Are able to pursue gratifying employment, volunteer service, or school.
- Are able to become stewards of their own health.
An extensive body of research and clinical experience affirms these findings: Combining psychotherapy with a strong, supportive community, structured daily routines, physical wellness programs, and an integrative approach to medication can dramatically improve the lives of those with depression.
2019 Alumni Survey Results
are engaged in either competitive employment, volunteering, or going to school.
Research Citations
1Firth J, Gangwisch J E, Borsini A, Wootton R E, Mayer E A. Food and mood: how do diet and nutrition affect mental wellbeing? BMJ 2020; 369 :m2382 https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m2382
2Tomita, A., Lukens, E. P., & Herman, D. B. (2014). Mediation analysis of critical time intervention for persons living with serious mental illnesses: Assessing the role of family relations in reducing psychiatric rehospitalization. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 37(1), 4–10. https://doi.org/10.1037/prj0000015