Depression

Depression is such a common problem you can lose sight of the fact that it is a serious mental health disorder that gets worse without treatment. At Advanced Psychiatry, Asif Choudhary, MD, offers personalized care that improves your mood, restores balance, and gives you the support you need to forge a new, thriving path in life. If you feel depressed, don’t wait to seek help. Call the office in Marietta, Georgia, or book an appointment online today.

When should I seek help for depression?

Many people think depression is like having the blues, and they’ll eventually feel better. But depression is called major depressive disorder (clinical depression) for a good reason: It's a serious disorder that doesn't get better on its own.

Depression affects how you feel, think, and handle daily activities. Without treatment, depression gets worse and can persist for months or years. You should seek help at Advanced Psychiatry when your symptoms last two weeks or longer.

What symptoms does depression cause?

Depression causes symptoms such as:

• Feeling sad, worthless, and hopeless (depressed mood)
• Avoiding a partner, friends, and family
• Losing interest in enjoyable activities 
• Changes in weight and/or appetite
• Sleeping more than usual or being unable to sleep
• Having fatigue or lacking energy
• Having a hard time concentrating or making decisions
• Moving without purpose (pacing) or moving and reacting slowly
• Thinking about or having a plan to commit suicide

Many people with depression have anxiety at the same time. Depression can also cause physical problems like muscle and joint pain, headaches, and indigestion. 

What are the different types of depression?

You can have different types of depression or become depressed due to a unique circumstance. The different varieties of depression include:

• Major depressive disorder
• Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)
• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
• Postpartum depression
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
• Bipolar depression
• Psychotic depression

You can also develop depression due to a medical condition.

How is depression treated?

During your initial consultation, Dr. Choudhary learns about your symptoms and performs a psychiatric evaluation. Then they recommend therapy, medication, or both, depending on the severity of your symptoms and the type of depression.

Therapy

A few examples of evidence-based therapies include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, and problem-solving therapy. Each one takes a different approach that targets the reason for your depression.

Medication

Antidepressants work by increasing levels of brain chemicals that regulate mood. Medications can take up to four weeks to take effect, and oftentimes, Dr. Choudhary will recommend therapy in addition to medication.

Don't wait for your depression to get worse before seeking help. Call Advanced Psychiatry or book an appointment online today.