Depression

Depression causes intense feelings of sadness that can last days and disrupt your life. At Westwood Psychiatry Associates in Westwood, New Jersey, the team specializes in diagnosing and treating depression. Taking a collaborative approach to care, the team combines their expertise with your individual needs and preferences to create a plan that works best for you. For compassionate and patient-centered depression, call the office or schedule an appointment online today. Telemedicine appointments are available.

What is depression?

Depression is a common and serious mental health condition that affects how you feel, think, and act. It can cause such an intense and prolonged sadness that it interferes with how you live your life.

Depression can affect anyone. Sometimes the cause is clear, such as a major life change like loss of a job. However, some people seem to develop depression “out of the blue” without a known cause.

While the underlying cause isn’t always known, the mental health condition usually develops from a combination of chemical, social, and psychological factors. 

What are the symptoms of depression?

People with major depressive disorder (MDD) have a low mood and little interest in outside activities for two or more weeks. This change in mood and activity causes distress and difficulty managing daily responsibilities.

Others symptoms common with depression include:

• Significant weight changes
• Insomnia or hypersomnia (daytime sleepiness)
• Fatigue
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Feelings of excessive guilt
• Difficulty concentrating
• Inability to make decisions
• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

People with a low mood from drugs, an underlying medical condition, or from bipolar disorder aren’t considered to have MDD. 

What happens during a depression consultation?

When you visit Westwood Psychiatry Associates for help with depression, the team conducts a thorough evaluation to better understand your mood. They want to determine the severity of your depression and the related symptoms it causes, if any.

This approach helps them better identify the cause of your mood change so they can create a treatment plan that addresses the specific psychological, chemical, and social factors involved. This is a more well-rounded approach to managing depression. 

What are the treatments for depression?

The team at Westwood Psychiatry Associates customizes your depression treatment plan based on the severity of your symptoms and your personal preferences. 

Treatment options might include:

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)

IPT is an evidence-based therapy for acute depression that focuses on the interpersonal stressor (life transition, loss of a loved one) triggering your depression. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT is a type of psychotherapy that combines cognitive and behavioral interventions to ease depression symptoms. 

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)

MBCT is a new therapy that combines mindfulness with cognitive therapy to reduce depression symptoms.

Medication management

Medication management refers to the antidepressants available to reduce your depression symptoms while you engage in psychotherapy. 

Depression is a serious illness that needs medical intervention. To get help, call Westwood Psychiatry Associates today or schedule an appointment online.