Depression

What is depression?

Depression is a type of mood disorder characterized by extreme or ongoing sad feelings. Everyone feels sad from time to time, but depression interferes with your quality of life and can be dangerous when left untreated. See the Paramount Health Directions team at the first sign of depression, anxiety, or another mental health disorder. 

Which symptoms can depression cause?

Depression can cause the following symptoms:

• Extreme sadness
• Ongoing sad feelings
• Thoughts of suicide
• Fatigue
• Physical aches and pains
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Feeling hopeless, worthless, or empty
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Weight loss or gain
• Difficulty concentrating
• Trouble sleeping

Seek help at Paramount Health Directions if your symptoms are mild or severe or cause problems with your job, relationships, school, or physical health. 

What are the risk factors for depression?

Depression may stem from one or more of the following factors:

• Family history of depression 
• Anxiety disorder
• Loss of a loved one
• Medical condition
• Stress
• Financial challenges
• Abuse or neglect
• Brain chemistry changes
• Hormone imbalance
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Alcohol or drug misuse
• Some medications
• Divorce
• Job loss

Minimizing stress, maintaining a strong social support network, and adopting healthy habits may reduce the risk of depression and other mental health conditions.

The Paramount Health Directions team diagnoses depression by reviewing your medical history and symptoms and completing a psychiatric evaluation. The practice also offers genetic testing to establish which medications likely work best for your genetic makeup.

How is depression treated?

Paramount Health Directions offers the following treatments for depression, including treatment-resistant depression:

• Medications
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Other forms of psychotherapy
• Ketamine (Spravato®)
• Intravenous (IV) vitamin therapy
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
• Family therapy
• Couples therapy
• Child psychiatry
• BioTE® bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• Metagenics and other vitamins and supplements
• Nutritional health

It’s important to adopt healthy habits that include regular exercise, a nutritious diet, stress reduction, and improved sleep habits. 

How does ketamine help treatment-resistant depression?

Ketamine therapy at Paramount Health Directions is unique because it provides a therapist who guides you through the experience and suggests homework that makes the treatment more effective.

The practice tailors a program based on your genetics, symptoms, diagnoses, and individualized needs. They follow up to ensure mood improvements and an exceptional quality of life. 

Schedule a depression evaluation at Paramount Health Directions by phone or request one online today for symptom relief.