Understanding Depression
Have you ever experienced a time when the weight of life’s demands felt overwhelmingly heavy? A time when you felt trapped and hopeless, feeling like you could not escape the burden of life?
As humans, it is okay to feel saddened by the loss of a loved one, to feel distressed in the event of a traumatic event, to feel hopeless in chronic illness/pain, or despair in financial difficulties, among other situations.
It becomes a concern with the sadness, distress, or hopelessness that persists for an extended period. This would be the time to seek depression treatment in San Diego.
Though depression can manifest differently for each individual, common symptoms include:
- A depressed mood, with persistent sadness, emptiness, numbness, hopelessness
- Inability to experience positive emotions, losing interest or pleasure in previously enjoyed activities
- Changes in appetite
- Sleep disturbance
- Feeling fatigued, sluggish
- Indecisiveness or difficulty with concentration
- Negative thoughts such as feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Withdrawing and isolating
- Unsafe thoughts, feeling like life is not worth living
Risk Factors for Depression
Depression casts its shadow over millions of individuals worldwide. Unfortunately, depression thrives in silence and many individuals suffer in silence. The exact causes of depression are not fully understood however without a doubt a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors play a role.
It’s important to keep in mind that what affects one person may not affect another in the same way. Some common risk factors of depression include:
- Traumatic events
- Chronic illness/pain
- Loss/grief
- Life changes (move, career change, relationship problems, financial difficulties)
- Childhood adversity
- Gender
- Substance use
- Social isolation
- Genetic factors/family history of depression
Having one or more risk factors does not automatically suggest that you will experience depression. Having these risk factors can increase risk for other mental health problems as well. By being aware, you can take the first step and reach out to psychiatric providers in San Diego to help navigate the depths of depression.
Treatment of Depression
Because each individual experiences symptoms in their own way, treatment is tailored to the individual’s specific needs. For optimal improvement, your psychiatrist in San Diego, will work with you to identify the underlying causes of depression and help manage symptoms effectively.
San Diego Depression Treatment options, include, but are not limited to:
- Psychotherapy which can help individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors, develop coping skills, and improve interpersonal relationships
- Medications to help regulate neurotransmitter levels in the brain
- Lifestyle modification consisting of regular exercise, good nutrition, sleep hygiene, and avoiding harmful substances.
Alternative forms of Depression treatment include:
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) which is a non-invasive provider using magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain
- Spravato (esketamine) treatment: Spravato is a medication that has been approved by the FDA for treatment of treatment-resistant depression in adults. Spravato is administered as a nasal spray under the supervision of a healthcare provider in a certified treatment center.
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) treatment: recommended for severe, treatment-resistant depression. It involves passing electrical currents through the brain to induce controlled seizures, which can alleviate symptoms of depression.
For comprehensive assessment and tailored care for depression, reach out to Sacred Psychiatric in San Diego. Our knowledgeable team is committed to empowering individuals with Depression to live fulfilling and independent lives through comprehensive treatment and support.