Sigmund Freud was a psychologist of the 1900s who wrote about the psychodynamics of individuals who struggled with depression. In one of his works, “Mourning and Melancholia,” he theorized that depression is rooted in turning one’s anger inward. Usually, the root of the anger comes from a childhood experience in which an individual was taught to self-blame, and anger is directed toward the self in the form of self-reproach and self-attack.1 This theory hinges on the idea that shame and internalizing anger drive depression.
Researchers have conducted studies surrounding internalized self-hatred and inability to express anger, in tandem with the complicated feelings of shame entangled in clinical depression. Generally speaking, whether an individual’s depression was triggered by shame, internalized anger, or another factor, depressed people tend to struggle further with shame. Recent studies have linked depression to central and traumatic memories of shame, indicating that early emotional memories of feeling safe and nurtured within the family can buffer the depressive effects of central shame experiences, but are not as protective in the case of people suffering from traumatic memories of shame.2
This can then lead to a loss of interest in life, having a hard time motivating or completing tasks, and more. Whatever the cause of one’s depression, it’s important to have coping strategies to walk through these hard times. If you or a loved one are struggling with feelings of self-hatred, negative emotions, feelings of guilt and more, there are resources available to you. AMFM Mental Health Treatment has over a decade of experience treating clinical depression with the help of psychiatry, psychotherapy, and access to mental health care professionals.
Intense feelings of anger can occur as a symptom of depression. Individuals with depression have reported increased anger and irritability with themselves and others. When a person is experiencing a depressive episode, these feelings of anger may be entangled in feelings of self-criticism, self-harm, or low self-esteem, but instead showing as angry outbursts. AMFM Mental Health Treatment has over a decade providing mental health programming to those who are experiencing anger attacks as a symptom of depression.
In addition to the usual signs of depression, angry outbursts are common in depressed patients. If a loved one or a depressed patient is experiencing feelings of anger, it may be more difficult to find compassion for these anger attacks. However, it’s important to remember that these emotions are likely rooted in low self-esteem, or suppressed anger from past experiences. While anger attacks and anger outbursts may seem less manageable than the usual symptoms of depression, they’re no less real or valid.
In trying to find understanding when dealing with someone who is struggling with anger and depression, it can be helpful to neutralize a situation, to focus on deep breathing exercises and encourage self-compassion. Other anger management tools like identifying triggers, developing coping mechanisms, and taking time away, can help depressed patients who experience anger. Historically, pharmacological management helps in control of depressive and anxiety symptoms, but rarely addresses expressed anger symptoms.3 However, anger management therapy and CBT have been proven effective in the face of depressed patients who experience intense anger for lasting wellness.. If you or a loved one are struggling with anger and depression, give a call to our compassionate care team for resources and treatment plans today.
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In the last two decades, with the prevalence of smartphones, screentime and scrolling, questions have been raised about the negative effects of social media on adults and adolescents’ mental health and psychological well-being. It’s been reported that in the last few years, there were about 4.9 billion social media users worldwide, and that the average person spends 145 minutes on social media every day.4 There have been many research studies surrounding the impact of social media on the minds of young people, and whether or not the use of social media altogether causes more harm or good. For the most part, increased social media use has shown a significant increase in self-reported depression. The causation is clear, and the impact of social media use ripples across mental health struggles in a variety of environments and cross-sections of the world. With an increase in the incidence of depression across the US, social media is a crucial piece of the conversation about the causation of depression, especially in young adults and adolescents.
The general consensus has been that with an increased use of social media, comes low self-esteem, skewed body image, FOMO (fear of missing out), increased eating disorders and more.5 The issue is the misuse of social media, the comparison of one person’s highlight reel of his or her life, being internalized and compared to another young person’s perception of self.
According to one study, “Cultural trends contributing to an increase in mood disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviors since the mid-2000s, including the rise of electronic communication and digital media and declines in sleep duration, may have had a larger impact on younger people, creating a cohort effect.”6 In another, more recent study, 5395 individuals “reported that use of Snapchat, Facebook, or TikTok were more likely to report increased levels of depressive symptoms on a later survey.”7
These days, social media sites have become increasingly entangled in our society and all social interactions. It would be difficult, and likely unrealistic, to remove them altogether. Even in the case of Linkedin, a professional social networking site, social media use is linked to increased levels of depression and anxiety.2 Research shows that for the sake of teen mental health, there need to be guidelines in place to ensure that social media is being used properly, rather than as a tool for self-harm, communities of common distorted self image, or self-harm.9 Community guidelines, mental health resources, and awareness campaigns are constructive to the proper use of social media.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or Clinical Depression is a mood disorder that is known for causing feelings of sadness, a loss of interest in pleasurable activities, and a range of other emotional and physical symptoms. Symptoms of depression can affect your daily routine, relationships, and overall quality of life.
Major Depression can affect individuals of varying ages and other demographics. Causes of depression can vary, including genetics, self-esteem, experiences you’ve had in life, and a chemical imbalance within your brain. Depression therapy can help you in overcoming depression and may include the use of depression medications and holistic therapies.
Depression can present differently among those experiencing depressive symptoms. There are several types of depressive disorders, each of which have their own features and recommended treatments. While this is not an exhaustive list of the types of depression, it does highlight some of the most common:
There are a variety of different antidepressant medications that have been proven as effective treatment (in combination with psychological treatment) for depression. Some types of antidepressants are listed here, but inquire with a licensed medical professional or psychiatrist for detailed information on different treatments. Never take psychiatric medication unless it is prescribed to you, and be sure to consult with medical professionals in case of external risk factors.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are antidepressant medications that treat different neurotransmitters in order to block the reabsorption of serotonin or norepinephrine, keeping more of the chemicals in the synaptic cleft. Both are effective treatments for depression, but depend upon the individual, and should be approached with medical guidance and professional advice. Click here to learn more about the importance of medication management.
Residential mental health facilities are designed to offer mental health resources, structure, and treatment plans to those struggling with a variety of mental health conditions in a live-in environment. Because these are inpatient behavioral health programs, they offer a more holistic and hands-on, in-person treatment approach with 24/7 access to health care and personalized treatment plans. Our Residential Facilities have qualified clinicians on staff, to provide medication management, therapeutic programming, and the highest level of care, This type of treatment prioritizes an individual’s safety when depressed, particularly for those who have experienced suicide attempts.
Intensive Outpatient Mental Health Treatment is a form of treatment designed to treat depression through a combination of group and individual therapy. Qualified mental health professionals lead clients through behavioral health programming, providing comprehensive treatment plans, evidence-based programs, and psychoeducation resources. IOP programs provide a holistic approach to treatment and thorough access to health care, but at a more flexible schedule. AMFM Mental Health Treatment offers outpatient programs with both in-person and virtual treatment options to meet your unique needs.
PHP is a type of mental health program designed to help those struggling with mental health issues through a combination of group and individual therapy, to improve well-being. Qualified mental health professionals lead clients through behavioral health programming, providing personalized treatment plans, evidence-based programs, and psychoeducation resources. PHP programs provide comprehensive holistic treatment and thorough access to health care, but at a more flexible schedule. Unlike inpatient residential treatment, the partial hospitalization program option only takes place during the day, allowing clients to return home at night and on the weekends, with less disruption to your daily life. This level of care may be helpful for those continuing studies or work in the evenings or on the weekends. AMFM Mental Health Treatment Facilities offer PHP, with both in-person and virtual treatment options to meet your unique needs.
Depression can affect individuals differently, which often requires individualized treatment. There are a variety of depression treatment options that can be used to address the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of this condition. Some of the most common psychotherapy modalities used in depression counseling sessions include:
Couples and family therapy may be used when a loved one’s depressive symptoms are affecting others. Support groups for family members can increase everyone’s understanding of depression and provide resources for growth. Couples and family therapy sessions can improve communication patterns, focus on problem-solving, address unresolved conflicts, and increase the sense of understanding among one another.
Group therapy sessions can be used to help provide structured times to help you understand that you are not alone in your struggles, that your peers are also walking through these challenges, while also providing guidance, suggestions and communications from psychologists with specialized backgrounds. These groups can span a variety of backgrounds, including but not limited to art therapy, somatic therapy, and narrative therapy.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that’s focused on restructuring and reprogramming maladaptive and negative thought processes. Psychologists are trained to help you change your cognitive and emotional processes in order to outgrow coping mechanisms that may no longer be serving you.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is most commonly referred to as “talk therapy,” and is designed to help process emotions. Qualified professionals offer psychological therapy to move forward with healthy ways of engaging in interpersonal relationships and alleviating physical and emotional distress.
EMDR Therapy is a renowned method of reprocessing most often used in trauma therapy. By activating the prefrontal cortex through a series of bilateral stimulation, qualified professionals can lead you through traumatic experiences, helping you to alleviate the distress symptomized by trauma.
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AMFM Mental Health Treatment has extensive experience treating a variety of mental health disorders beyond depression through evidence-based therapies, including but not limited to the following:
Recovery can feel isolating; mental health programming can provide cohesive treatment plans to help you or your loved one as you move forward, overcoming your mental illness.
Sussex Publishers. (n.d.-e). The perplexing notion of depression as “anger turned inward.” Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intense-emotions-and-strong-feelings/201906/the-perplexing-notion-depression-anger-turned
Sahu A, Gupta P, Chatterjee B. Depression is More Than Just Sadness: A Case of Excessive Anger and Its Management in Depression. Indian J Psychol Med. 2014 Jan;36(1):77-9. doi: 10.4103/0253-7176.127259. PMID: 24701016; PMCID: PMC3959025.
Bounds, Dawn. “Social Media’s Impact on Our Mental Health and Tips to Use It Safely.” UC Davis Health, UC Davis Health, 10 May 2024, health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/social-medias-impact-our-mental-health-and-tips-to-use-it-safely/2024/05.
Nawaz FA, Riaz MMA, Banday NUA, Singh A, Arshad Z, Derby H, Sultan MA. Social media use among adolescents with eating disorders: a double-edged sword. Front Psychiatry. 2024 Feb 9;15:1300182. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1300182. PMID: 38404474; PMCID: PMC10884122.
Twenge, J. M., Cooper, A. B., Joiner, T. E., Duffy, M. E., & Binau, S. G. (2019). Age, period, and cohort trends in mood disorder indicators and suicide-related outcomes in a nationally representative dataset, 2005–2017. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 128(3), 185–199. https://doi.org/10.1037/abn0000410
Perlis RH, Green J, Simonson M, Ognyanova K, Santillana M, Lin J, Quintana A, Chwe H, Druckman J, Lazer D, Baum MA, Della Volpe J. Association Between Social Media Use and Self-reported Symptoms of Depression in US Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Nov 1;4(11):e2136113. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.36113. PMID: 34812844; PMCID: PMC8611479.
Jones JR, Colditz JB, Shensa A, Sidani JE, Lin LY, Terry MA, Primack BA. Associations Between Internet-Based Professional Social Networking and Emotional Distress. Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2016 Oct;19(10):601-608. doi: 10.1089/cyber.2016.0134. PMID: 27732077; PMCID: PMC5067824.
