How We Can Help

Depression requires professional treatment. With the proper care, people can improve and feel better.

Psychotherapy is an effective treatment for depression that may protect against the return of symptoms even when treatment has ended.

Antidepressant medication may be helpful for reducing depression symptoms in some people, especially if they have severe depression.

What is Depression?

When discussing depression, it is important to delineate the difference between sadness and depression. That is, sadness is a common occurrence that everyone has experienced at one point or another. It is natural and healthy to experience sadness in reaction to difficult life events.

Depression is more than just feeling sad or down for a few days. It's a persistent feeling of sadness, hopelessness, and emptiness that can last for weeks, months, or even years. It can make it difficult to enjoy activities that were once pleasurable, affect sleep, and appetite, and even lead to thoughts of suicide.

Depression is a term used to refer to a group of psychological disorders that can be much more difficult to overcome than commonplace sadness. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is the most commonly diagnosed form of depression and is characterized by persistent sadness and/or a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, know that there is help available. With the right treatment and support, it is possible to seek depression treatment and regain a sense of joy and fulfillment in life.

What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

Symptoms may include a combination of the following:

• Prolonged sadness or feelings of emptiness

• Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness

• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness

• Anger and irritability

• Restlessness

• Difficulty concentrating

• Fatigue or loss of energy

• Changes in sleep patterns (sleep disturbances)

• Changes in appetite or weight

• Chronic pain, headaches or stomach aches

• Loss of interest in activities

• Irritability or restlessness

• Withdrawal from friends and family

• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

How It Works

Depending on the patient’s particular situation and diagnosis, we use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), where patients learn to identify and manage negative thought and behavior patterns that can contribute to depression, and / or interpersonal therapy (IPT), in which patients learn to improve their relationships with others by better expressing their emotions and solving problems in healthier ways

Therapy Goals

Goals of therapy are to help patients with the following:

• Pinpoint life events that contribute to depression and find ways to change, accept, or adapt to those situations

• Set realistic goals for the future

• Identify distorted thought processes or unhelpful behaviors that contribute to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness

• Develop skills to cope with symptoms and problems, and identify or prevent future episodes of depression