Depression Specialist

What is depression?

Depression or major depressive disorder is one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States. It causes persistent and often irrational feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and a loss of interest in the topics and activities you usually enjoy. 

Some might say depression feels similar to grief, but the two are quite different. While both can involve immense sadness, grief usually doesn’t involve the self-loathing or low self-esteem that tends to come with depression. Additionally, grief is not a mental health disorder and is instead a feeling that comes after loss. 

At Golden Oak Medicine, the team assesses you for depression and can manage your treatment with individualized care. They can also integrate your depression treatment with treatments for other mental health conditions that often co-occur with depression, like anxiety disorders. 

What are some common symptoms of depression?

Depression can cause a variety of symptoms that go beyond general melancholy — untreated depression can have widespread effects on your life in areas you might not expect. Some possible signs, symptoms, and effects of depression include:

• Trouble concentrating
• Sleeping too much
• Sleeping too little
• Fatigue
• Frequent crying
• Changes in appetite
• Trouble with decision-making
• Physical pain without a clear cause
• Suicidal thoughts
• Irritability

The team at Golden Oak Medicine discusses these symptoms with you and others during your initial evaluation and assessment. Some of the symptoms can come from other causes, such as hormone imbalances, so it’s important that they rule these out while diagnosing you.  

How can I manage my depression?

Managing depression tends to involve multiple approaches, and you might need to go through some trial and error before finding strategies that work for you. Fortunately, the team at Golden Oak Medicine is here to help. Most cases of depression respond well to some combination of:

Antidepressant medications

There are several categories of medications that help treat depression, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants. Before putting you on medication, the team at Golden Oak Medicine tells you how it works and how you should take it. 

Counseling or therapy

Counseling or psychotherapy helps you learn the skills you need to cope with your negative thoughts and feelings. Psychotherapy is most effective when used alongside medication. 

Lifestyle changes

As difficult as it may seem to stick to a routine while you’re feeling down, following a regimen of exercise, a consistent sleep schedule, healthy eating, and stress relief can offer major improvements for your depressive symptoms. 

To learn more about depression and how you can manage the symptoms, schedule an appointment over the phone or online at Golden Oak Medicine today.