Health

How Depression is Likely to Affect Your Digestive and Central Nervous System

Published

3 years ago

January 6, 2022

Most people are likely to associate depression with mental health. The condition may also impact your digestive, cardiovascular, and immune systems. Though depression affects a significant percentage of individuals, it is not an apparent condition. A depressed person can conceal their symptoms outwardly but suffer through depression silently, with the symptoms lingering longer than expected. Depression will make you act different even when you are not acting sad or hopeless. Therefore, it might be helpful to contact your doctor for professional help when you constantly feel sad or lose interest in things that once interested you. If you are struggling with depression in San Diego, MindSet psychiatric specialists are the experts to contact.

How does depression affect your digestive system?

Though depression is a mental issue, the condition has tremendous effects on your diet. You might find yourself overeating or experiencing appetite loss. While overconsumption might result in weight gain or diabetes-related ailments like type 2 diabetes, a sudden appetite loss may result in geriatric anorexia.

How does depression affect your central nervous system?

Depression causes several symptoms in your central nervous system, some of which you are likely to ignore or dismiss. For instance, you may dismiss cognitive changes as a depression sign, especially if you are advanced in age. You are also likely to have problems with memory and reaction to your everyday activities as an older adult.

Depression may also result in feelings of guilt, grief, and overwhelming sadness. You may also find it impossible to describe your exact feelings or have frequent episodes of crying. However, not every depressed individual cries. The mental disorder may also make you turn to unhealthy habits like abusing drugs and alcohol, which will likely increase your chances of behaving recklessly. As a result, maintaining a regular work schedule or fulfilling your other social responsibilities becomes difficult.

The mental disorder may cause you to have difficulty sleeping at night or feel fatigued all the time. You may also have other symptoms like a sudden loss of interest in activities that used to give you pleasure, or increased anger and irritability.

The symptoms common in adults significantly differ from the signs children depict. Unfortunately, depression may be challenging to diagnose in children, especially if the child cannot articulate the symptoms. Therefore, you should check for signs like declined interest in academics with no improvement in classwork, worry, hostility, excessive irritability, and persistent clinginess.

What makes you susceptible to hidden depression?

You will most likely hide your depression symptoms, especially when you feel like you might lose something when talking about your feelings with someone else. Sometimes the fear may arise from a negative outcome after disclosing depression symptoms or if the victim’s unaware of how depression can affect their lives.

The following groups of individuals are likely to suffer from hidden, untreated, or undiagnosed depression.

Individuals recovering from trauma or traumatic experiences
Children and teens
Older adults
Men
Persons with chronic health conditions
Individuals from underserved or marginalized communities

Everyone has a reason behind keeping depression private. Unfortunately, you may not know how adverse depression is and how it can affect your life quality. Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you realize you or your loved one is experiencing long-lasting feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness in order to receive professional help.

Health

How Telehealth Works for Addicts in Recovery

Published

1 week ago

March 6, 2025

Michelle Langton

Technology has been shaping healthcare for decades, and these days, tech advancements for the health sector are happening faster than ever before. Telehealth has emerged as one advancement that has touched every healthcare discipline, from cancer care to pediatrics. The innovative approach of telehealth is breaking down barriers to care and even reaching those who are struggling with substance abuse.

By leveraging digital platforms, recovery specialists can offer better access to therapy sessions, support groups, and medical consultations. These breakthroughs in accessibility are significant for people in healthcare deserts who are languishing under increased addiction rates and a lack of reliable treatment options.

Nick Padlo, founder and CEO of Sophros Recovery in Florida, has seen the benefit of telehealth for recovering addicts firsthand. “Individuals struggling with addiction can now find support and guidance if they do not have access to a treatment center near their home,” he explains. “These virtual programs are designed to provide comprehensive care, similar to traditional in-person treatment, but with the added convenience of digital accessibility.”

Here, we explore the benefits of telehealth for recovery and how clinicians and other professionals in the field can best utilize it for better outcomes.

An increased need for comprehensive recovery

The United States saw over 107,000 overdose deaths in 2023. This was a notable increase from previous numbers. The emergence of fentanyl as the drug of choice for many and the perpetuation of alcohol and other drug abuses have made access to comprehensive recovery even more important than ever.

“Understanding the options available can be the first step to recovery,” says Padlo. When people have easier access to help, they may be more apt to seek sobriety.

The pandemic saw a marked increase in substance abuse, laying bare the need for digital access to recovery resources. During the COVID shutdown, the crucial need for an alternative to in-person treatment was evident, and the benefits of such treatment options allowed clinicians and other professionals to carry this digital access to recovery care through the pandemic and into the post-COVID world.

In addition, those living in rural areas or areas with a lack of access to comprehensive recovery care often have needs on par with those in larger urban areas. Telehealth allows people to access the same professionals that those in big cities rely upon.

Studies have shown that continuity of care is critical to the success of addiction recovery. Telehealth can facilitate ongoing engagement with those in recovery, securing continuity of care and leading to better recovery outcomes.

A modern approach

“Online addiction recovery typically involves a combination of individual therapy, group therapy, educational sessions, and support groups, all conducted via video conferencing or other online tools,” explains Padlo. The flexibility of these programs allows participants to schedule them around their availability and considering their other commitments.

“We aim to mirror the effectiveness of traditional methods,” says Padlo. “We are providing the same level of care and support through a virtual format.”

Padlo stresses that online recovery can also reduce stigmas that are associated with seeking help for one’s addictions. When those in recovery can participate from the comfort of their own home, they may be more apt to commit to the recovery process.

People will need to consider their personal circumstances when determining if telehealth for addiction recovery is right for them. They may want to evaluate how comfortable they are with technology and whether they have a stable internet connection. Also, it helps to have a strong support system to keep one accountable since it can sometimes be easier to ignore digital meeting commitments.

However, Padlo cautions that those with severe addiction issues or co-occurring addictions may fare better with in-person detox and recovery.

Telehealth can be a powerful tool in the fight against addiction. The option offers a range of benefits, including easier access, privacy, and even savings for some. According to a recent study by the Oregon Health and Science University, telehealth may be just the solution to overcoming the stigma of rehab and recovery and radically reducing barriers for people who need it the most.

While telehealth for addiction recovery may not be a one-size-fits-all solution, and some people may require more intensive care and medical intervention, it has broken barriers for those in areas of limited access to recovery or seeking an option that offers more privacy.

As the field of virtual health delivery continues to evolve, the benefits of telehealth for addiction recovery will become clear. Telehealth provides comprehensive, discrete, and effective care for those starting or continuing their recovery journey.