Depression
Depression services offered in Boynton Beach, FL
Depression Q&A
What causes depression?
Depression can develop for many possible reasons. Daily stress and major life transitions, such as moving, changing jobs, or losing your partner, often trigger depression.
A family history of depression increases your risk, as does being diagnosed with a chronic disease and having some medical conditions, like thyroid disease.
Depression is also associated with low levels of neurotransmitters, the brain chemicals needed to regulate mood.
When should I seek help for depression?
No matter what causes your depression, you should seek help at MindSpa Psychiatry when your symptoms last longer than two weeks.
Even if your symptoms seem mild, they can last for months or years without treatment. For example, one type of depression, persistent depressive disorder, causes less severe symptoms than major depressive disorder, but your depression lasts at least two years.
If you think about suicide or harming yourself, call 988, the suicide and crisis hotline, where you can talk with someone 24/7.
What symptoms does depression cause?
You can develop one of several depressive disorders, but they all cause the same symptoms. You’ll experience one or more of the following:
- Feeling sad, worthless, and hopeless
- Having little to no energy
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Eating too much or too little
- Gaining or losing weight
- Losing interest in activities you usually enjoy
- Having a hard time thinking and concentrating
- Struggling to talk
- Moving slowly
- Thinking about suicide
You may also have headaches, body aches, nausea, and other physical symptoms that aren’t explained by an illness.
How is depression treated?
During your first visit, your MindSpa Psychiatry provider learns about your symptoms, completes a psychiatric evaluation, and works with you to develop a treatment plan. Your personalized care plan includes medication, therapy, or a combination.
As medication management specialists, the MindSpa Psychiatry team can help improve your mood by prescribing antidepressants. These medications work by increasing neurotransmitters.
Talk therapy also supports your long-term well-being and may be the only treatment you need if you have mild depression or your low mood is related to a life event. Through therapy, you can gain insight, get support and guidance for life challenges, and learn skills for managing depression.
If you need help with depression, call MindSpa Psychiatry or request an appointment online today.
