Depression which doctor

Psychiatrists take a medical approach, focusing on the biological aspects of mental illness and using medication to help treat symptoms. The type of mental health professional you see will depend on a variety of factors, from the severity of your illness to your depression treatment preferences.

For severe depression, a psychiatrist will be able to rule out any other medical conditions and prescribe medication that can be customized and fine-tuned to your specific needs. In some cases, seeing both a psychiatrist and psychologist is helpful, with the psychologist offering regular therapy sessions while the psychiatrist manages medications. At Pacific Health Systems in San Diego, we take a holistic approach to diagnosing depression and design customized treatment plans for each individual.

For more information on our diverse range of treatment options for depression or to set up a consultation, fill out our contact form or call us at April 30, Is a Psychiatrist or Psychologist Better for Depression?

When a depression has not responded to at least two more traditional medication treatments, we call this treatment-resistant depression. Advances in the field have led to new discoveries for people with treatment-resistant and severe depressions. In these instances, a consultation with one of our experts can help determine if Ketamine infusions, Electro-Convulsive Therapy, or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation may be indicated to help treat depression in your case.

Search our providers for a therapist or psychiatrist with expertise in depression. Facts to Know Depression is a complex, debilitating condition that affects the brain, mind, and body. Depression can result in persistently low mood, loss of interest, poor sleep and other symptoms. What is depression? Symptoms Depression is different in each person. Persistently low, sad, or irritable mood Loss of interest in activities that once were pleasurable Changes in sleep patterns, either difficulty with sleeping or sleeping too much Decreased ability to concentrate Fatigue or low energy Strong and persistent feelings of guilt or hopelessness Change in appetite, either decreased interest in eating or increased eating Marked slowness in movement or marked increase in movement Thoughts about death, dying or suicide.

Not taking part in things you once enjoyed because they no longer give you pleasure is a telltale sign of depression. If you're constantly putting yourself down, or you feel worthless or inconsequential, something is up.

When you think this way, you tend to find ways to verify the negativity, and that in turn makes you more depressed and more at risk. Extreme guilt for things you aren't solely responsible for—for example, a bad breakup or sudden job loss—also bashes your self-esteem and is a tip-off to depression, says Dr. Persistent thoughts about ending your life , wondering how friends and family would feel if you went and did it, pondering different ways to carry out the act, and even general thoughts about death are all strong indicators that it's time to reach out for professional help, says Wolkin.

Overwhelming feelings of fear are usually thought to signify an anxiety disorder. And while that's often true, they can also be a clue to depression. Anxiety is more than just the normal apprehension most of us feel when we're challenged; it's a constant feeling of panic and obsessive thoughts that often show up in physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, excessive perspiration, and sleep problems.

The tricky thing is, even though anxiety can signal depression, it's possible that a person with depression also has an anxiety disorder as well. If you feel overwhelming anxiety, consider it another crucial reason to seek help from your doc. Depression-related lethargy may be simply the consequence of not eating enough or sleeping too much.

But it's also the result of having a black cloud of sadness or hopelessness over you all the time. Dealing with chronic emotional pain is an energy suck, and it makes you too dragged and tired to tackle routine tasks, not to mention work and family responsibilities.

When you're always tired and that fatigue impairs your life, it's time to seek help. But if you're suffering from a chronic ailment you can't attribute to another cause that isn't clearing up on its own, "see a doctor to get it checked out, but also consider it a possible sign of depression too," says Thomas.

By Esther Crain Updated October 01,