Psychiatric Treatment for Depression

How is Depression Diagnosed?

Depression can be diagnosed in a number of ways by a variety of different professionals. For example, you can receive a depression diagnosis from your primary care physician or your mental health care provider. In most cases, patients and clients voice concern regarding their symptoms, allowing either a doctor or mental health professionals to dig deeper and provide them with an official diagnosis. In some cases, however, depression goes undetected if the patient or client does not speak up about symptoms or if the medical or mental health care provider does not conduct the proper screenings. 

Mental health professionals typically utilize the Patient Health Questionnaire, or PHQ, when looking to analyze potential symptoms of depression. This specific questionnaire will require clients to rate how often they experience symptoms of depression. Not only will these answers help mental health professionals identify the frequency that a client is experiencing symptoms, but it will also clarify which symptoms are most prominent for them. Therefore, they can make a diagnosis if applicable as well as proceed with a treatment plan based on the severity of the client’s depression. 

Medical health care providers can also make a diagnosis of depression should they feel their patient is experiencing symptoms. Similar to mental health professionals, a primary care physician, nurse practitioners, or other medical providers can technically make the same diagnosis by utilizing screening services, too. However, they tend not to have as much knowledge about mental health conditions, which is why they often refer their patients out to a mental health professional for continued care. 

How is Depression Treated?

While depression can be an extremely distressing mental health condition, it can be treated. Individuals who receive appropriate depression treatment experience a reduction in their symptoms as well as develop the skills needed to manage their depression effectively. Depending on the needs of the individual, their depression treatment may include the use of prescription medications, therapy, and/or medical treatments.

Medication

Depression is a result of an imbalance in the chemistry of the brain, therefore the use of medication is usually the most common first step in treating depression. The most common types of antidepressant medications include SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, and TCAs:

• SSRIs – Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, include common medications such as Prozac, citalopram, sertiline,and escitalopram.
• SNRIs – Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs, include Effexor, Cymbalta, and Pristiq
• MAOIs – Monamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, include Marplan, Nardil, and Emsam
• TCAs – Tricyclic antidepressants include amitriptyline, amoxapine, and desipramine.

Each individual is prescribed with a medication that best meets their treatment needs. Most antidepressant medications require a few weeks to build in one’s system, meaning that their effects do not usually take action straight away. Thankfully, though, while individuals are waiting for their medication to work, they can also engage in other types of care to relieve symptoms, such as therapy. 

Therapy

Therapy connects individuals struggling with depression to mental health professionals who can assist in their healing. The majority of therapies that those with depression engage in are conducted in a one-on-one setting. In some cases, therapy can be provided in a group setting. The most common therapies that are used to treat depression include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. These are certainly not the only types of therapies applied to those with depression, as there are several others that can be effective, too. Additionally, many individuals receive a combined therapeutic approach to their care, meaning that they engage in more than one type of therapy. 

Medical Treatments

The vast majority of people with depression respond well to a combination of medication and therapy for their treatment. However, there are many who find that their depression does not respond to this traditional way of healing. For those who are experiencing treatment-resistant depression (TRD), they can benefit from specific medical treatments. 

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is the top medical treatment used to help treat depression in those with TRD. This non-invasive, painless procedure utilizes a coil to help stimulate certain areas of the brain to reduce the symptoms of depression. TMS can be conducted in different speeds and frequencies so that each patient receives the specialized care they need. 

Our Psychiatric Treatment for Depression

If you’re feeling depressed, know that you’re not alone — depression is the most common mental health condition. The board-certified psychiatrists and clinicians at My Psychiatrist are here to help you feel better. We use talk therapy, lifestyle changes and sometimes medication or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to help you manage your symptoms.

When you come to us for depression psychiatric treatment in South Florida, we’ll perform a psychological evaluation to determine what type of depression you’re experiencing. This evaluation includes questions about your thoughts, behaviors, feelings and mental health history. Based on your diagnosis, your provider will develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs and goals. 

How do psychiatrists treat depression? We offer two types of services, so you can choose the depression treatment option that works best for your circumstances.

In-Person Treatment

My Psychiatrist offers outpatient psychiatric treatment for depression at our South Florida facilities. We have offices in Miami, Hollywood, Oakland Park, Boca Raton and Orlando, so it’s easy to find a convenient location near you.

Choosing outpatient treatment for depression allows you to connect with your doctor in person. Some patients find outpatient appointments help them stay focused throughout the session, as the office environment is free from the many distractions they may experience at home. If it will help, you can write down questions to ask the psychiatrist about depression which they will gladly answer during the session.

Telemedicine for Depression

We also provide psychiatric treatment for depression online. Through our telemedicine services, you can have live, virtual therapy sessions with one of our providers from the comfort of home.

Telemedicine is a convenient option that allows you to receive treatment at times that work best for your schedule. Some patients feel more comfortable getting the care they need in the privacy of their homes. What’s more, research shows that telemedicine services are as effective as outpatient services.

My Psychiatrist provides immediate access to psychiatric appointments online, eliminating long wait times so you can get the care you need as soon as possible.

Living With and Coping With Depression

If you are living with depression, then you are already aware of just how painful it can be to deal with this mental health condition on a day-to-day basis — especially when untreated. Continuing to attempt to cope with depression on your own can be completely overwhelming and take a repetitive hit at your self-confidence. That is why if you have depression, getting help is the best, most effective option available to you. 

Receiving depression treatment Florida can help do a number of things. Not only does it help reduce the intensity of symptoms, but treatment can also help you learn how to cope with your depression in a healthy way. There is no cure for depression, but it can be treated. This means that it is up to you to make the changes you need to improve your overall quality of life. 

Millions of people struggle with depression, but are also able to maintain their wellbeing as they experience this mental health condition. That is often large in part to receiving medication, therapy, or medical treatments to help address symptoms. If you are depressed and are finding it hard to cope with your depression, reaching out for professional help is the first and most important thing you must do so that you can begin learning how to live a happy life and how to cope well.

Other Tips for Living and Coping With Depression

In addition to receiving professional treatment, there are things you can do to make living and coping with depression easier, such as:

• Build a support network: Lean on family and friends for support, or join a depression support group online or in person. 
• Stay active: Regular exercise can help mitigate depressive symptoms, as it releases endorphins in the brain that enhance your sense of well-being.
• Maintain a balanced diet: Research shows that eating healthy can help reduce symptoms of depression.
• Follow a routine: Creating and sticking to a daily routine can help you overcome a lack of motivation and stay on track. 
• Practice self-compassion: People who are depressed often may be hard on themselves. Showing yourself kindness and practicing positive thinking can help you overcome negative thoughts and feelings.

Supporting a Loved One With Depression

Helping a loved one with depression can feel overwhelming. If you’re not sure where to start, use these tips as a guide:

• Encourage them to get treatment: Let your loved one know you’re there to support them. Depression can make it difficult to manage tasks, so offering to schedule appointments or drive them to an appointment can help make getting treatment easier.
• Provide support: There are many ways to support a loved one struggling with depression, from listening and being understanding to joining the person for a walk to helping them with everyday tasks
• Identify warning signs of worsening depression: Everyone experiences depression differently. Learn what’s typical for your loved one so you can identify when their depression worsens and seek help.

How to Know When to See a Psychiatrist for Depression

It can be easy to dismiss symptoms of depression by blaming symptoms on other things. For instance, you might excuse your feelings of being irritable or extremely tired and place blame on something like working too hard or not getting enough rest. But sometimes, these and other symptoms can be signals that a bigger problem is occurring. 

Still wondering when to see a psychiatrist for depression? It might be time to see a psychiatrist for depression if you are experiencing any or all of the following:

• Loss of interest in things that you used to enjoy
• Feeling a general sense of hopelessness about the future
• Problems sleeping (either too much or too little)
• Changes in eating behaviors (either overeating or not eating enough)
• Increased irritability and agitation
• Feeling anxious
• Thinking about death or having thoughts of suicide
• Abusing drugs or alcohol in an effort to alter your mood

These are just some of the signs that you may be experiencing depression. Seeking depression treatment Florida is absolutely critical, and the sooner you see a professional, the more likely you are to have success in your treatment.

Depression Psychiatric Treatment in South Florida

Whether you’re seeking psychiatric treatment for seasonal affective disorder, postpartum depression or any other type of depression in South Florida, My Psychiatrist can help. Our diverse group of board-certified medical professionals is highly trained and experienced in treating many types of depression.

Find a psychiatrist for depression and schedule an appointment today.