Patient Portal
Request an Appointment
Patient Portal
Request an Appointment
Depressed woman sitting on a chair in dark room at home, mental health, persistant depressive disorder, postpartum depression

Depression

Depression (major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.

Some forms of depression are slightly different, or they may develop under unique circumstances, such as:

Persistent depressive disorder

(also called dysthymia) is a depressed mood that lasts for at least two years. A person diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder may have episodes of major depression along with periods of less severe symptoms, but symptoms must last for two years to be considered persistent depressive disorderHigh-frequency stimulation is thought to excite the targeted neurons and is typically used to activate the left prefrontal cortex. Low-frequency stimulation appears to inhibit cortical activity and is usually directed at the right prefrontal cortex.

Postpartum depression

is much more serious than the “baby blues” (relatively mild depressive and anxiety symptoms that typically clear within two weeks after delivery) that many women experience after giving birth. Women with postpartum depression experience full-blown major depression during pregnancy or after delivery (postpartum depression). The feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that accompany postpartum depression may make it difficult for these new mothers to complete daily care activities for themselves and/or their babies.

Signs and Symptoms

if you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, you may be suffering from depression:

  • Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
  • Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism
  • Irritability
  • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
  • Decreased energy or fatigue
  • Moving or talking more slowly
  • Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
  • Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
  • Appetite and/or weight changes
  • Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
  • Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment

Other Articles

EMDR therapy, EMDR for anxiety, EMDR for depression, EMDR for grief, EMDR for attachment trauma, EMDR for chronic pain, trauma therapy Sacramento, EMDR mental health treatment, eye movement desensitization reprocessing, EMDR beyond PTSD, EMDR therapy benefits, evidence based trauma therapy

What Is EMDR Therapy Used for Beyond PTSD

Most people know EMDR for PTSD, and that reputation is earned. The VA still treats it as one of the core trauma-focused approaches, and in practice, many clinicians start there when they explain what ...

FIND OUT MORE
anxiety symptoms, normal stress vs anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, GAD symptoms, anxiety treatment, anxiety screening, GAD-7 score, chronic anxiety, anxiety diagnosis, anxiety therapy, mental health evaluation, when to seek help for anxiety

How To Tell When Anxiety Symptoms Go Beyond Normal Stress

Stress is part of being human. Deadlines pile up, relationships shift, and finances tighten. Most of us feel tension in our bodies and a restless hum in our minds at some point. The confusion starts w...

FIND OUT MORE
ketamine therapy for depression, ketamine infusion therapy schedule, how many ketamine sessions for depression, spravato treatment schedule, ketamine maintenance therapy, treatment resistant depression options, ketamine booster sessions, cbt after ketamine, iv ketamine vs esketamine, personalized depression treatment

How Many Ketamine Treatments Are Typically Needed for Depression

One of the first things people ask before starting ketamine therapy for depression is how many sessions this will take. Most people do not want vague answers when they are already dealing with depress...

FIND OUT MORE

Appointment Request Form










    Note: We are not currently accepting Medi-Cal Insurance at this time.





    PLEASE NOTE: This is an appointment request only. The office will reach out to you to confirm the appointment date and time. If this is an emergency, please call the office.