Medications and psychotherapy are often the first-line treatment approaches for depression. A psychiatrist can prescribe effective psychotropic medications like antidepressants to relieve the symptoms of depression. Many patients with depression can be helped through therapy along with medication, while some opt for therapy or medication as standalone treatments. Other natural and supplement-based approaches – along with a variety of emerging treatments – can be explored as well.
Each individual’s experience of depression is unique, and different people respond to different treatment options. We create customized treatment plans for each of our patients to relieve symptoms and achieve individual goals and optimal, long-term results.
Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) is a serious mood disorder causing persistent feelings of sadness, fatigue, and loss of interest in things that previously mattered in your life. MDD is a specific type of unipolar depression that profoundly impacts how you think, feel and function. It can disrupt daily life, including work, sleep, relationships, mental function, appetite and activities.
Not all depression is classified as Major Depressive Disorder. While MDD, also referred to as clinical depression, is a common and severe form of depression, depression is a broad category that encompasses multiple depressive disorders. Each has different causes, symptoms and durations. Other types of depression range from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) to Perinatal Depression. Bipolar Disorder is a diagnosis that involves both depression and mania.
Part of any treatment plan involves first arriving at an accurate diagnosis and understanding of what type of depression is involved. Some forms of depression may require medication and therapy, while others may be resolved with therapy alone or other alternative treatments. Light therapy, for example, is often effective for Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Depression should be taken seriously and treated because it often worsens over time. Untreated depression can lead to severe physical health complications and even structural brain changes. It has been shown to contribute to:
Depression does not normally go away on its own. Rather, it often develops into a long-term, debilitating condition with worsening symptoms. Professional treatment for depression can help to prevent long-term negative outcomes.
Comprehensive treatments options can help restore emotional balance and improve your overall quality of life. Our first step is to conduct a comprehensive evaluation to arrive at an accurate diagnosis through interviews and assessments.
Especially with depression, psychiatrists may ask for a workup from your primary care provider or feel it is necessary to do a physical exam, order lab tests or ask questions about your medical health. Depression can often be linked to an underlying physical health problem like thyroid disease.
Once your diagnosis is established, then we develop an individualized treatment plan that may involve any one or a combination of treatments:
Medications like antidepressants can play a critical role in improving the symptoms of depression. However, not all psychotropic medications have the same effects or are tolerated in the same way by different patients. It is crucial to monitor medications, their side effects, and how they impact symptoms. Psychiatrists also consider possible interactions with other medications or supplements. Co-existing conditions – both medical and psychiatric – are also evaluated. Psychiatric Medication Management and is an essential role a psychiatrist must assume in treating depression.
Finding the right medication is not a simple process, and patience is essential. You may need to try several medications or a combination of medications before landing on one that works. Certain medications need several weeks or longer to have full effect and for side effects to ease as your body adjusts.
Inherited traits play a role in how antidepressants affect you. If a family member has responded well to a specific antidepressant, it may work well for you. Additional variables other than genetics can affect your response to medication.
It’s important to remember that stopping treatment abruptly or missing several doses can cause withdrawal-like symptoms, and quitting suddenly may cause a sudden worsening of depression or even trigger suicidal ideation. You should always work closely with your psychiatrist to gradually and safely decrease your medication.
Psychiatrists are trained and qualified to offer both psychotherapy and medication management. Some psychiatrists focus primarily on medication management, with shorter, medication-focused visits, relying on other therapists for talk therapy.
Our focus is on providing options that work for you.
We offer holistic care, designed for your needs. If you need therapy and medication, together, hat is available. Some people seek to begin with both with the hope of transitioning off of medication eventually.
However, if you are seeking medication management alone, that can be our focus. Likewise, you may not have an interest in medication and be seeking counseling alone.
There is valuable medical insight a psychiatrist brings to therapy that is beneficial in and of itself, even if you do not need or want medication-based treatment. Understanding how medical conditions or medications might be contributing to or even causing your depression is just one example of how this insight can benefit treatment.
We often see depression in multiple family members, and Collaborative Family Care is available as a treatment option that can address not only the symptoms of depression but the impact of family dynamics on the experience of depression.
Natural and supplement-based approaches in psychiatric treatment use vitamins, herbs and nutrients to support mental health along with more conventional treatments. Omega-3s, for example, have shown exceptional promise in managing depression by supporting neurotransmitter function and reducing inflammation, while increasing dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine availability, similar to certain antidepressants. Ginkgo biloba, another good example, has been shown to potentially improve mood, reduce anxiety, and alleviate symptoms of depression.
Even with seemingly innocuous supplementation, however, it is important to receive professional guidance from a psychiatrist regarding the use of all supplements to avoid potential supplement-medication interactions.
Focusing on holistic wellness through other natural and lifestyle avenues like diet and nutrition, better sleep, healthy movement, sunlight, supplements and mind-body practices (e.g., yoga, meditation, acupuncture and more) can help to manage certain mental health conditions like depression.
If you have severe depression, you may need a hospital stay until your symptoms improve. Inpatient hospitalization for depression becomes necessary when symptoms become acute and pose:
Once the psychological evaluation is complete and an initial diagnosis is made, family involvement and active participation in treatment for depression will be particularly important and not only for child or adolescent patients, but for adults as well.
Especially with Psychiatric Medication Management, family members and individuals who interact with the patient closely can provide invaluable feedback on how well the medication is working for symptom management, as well as any side effects they have noted. The patient’s primary psychiatric provider will be able to address questions as long-term and short-term treatment goals are developed, with the consent of the patient, when necessary.
Whether you need medication, psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, holistic, natural approaches or supplements, depression treatment can play a life-changing role in your mental wellness and overall quality of life. It’s important, however, to ensure ongoing monitoring and follow-up with a qualified psychiatrist. Call ☎ (773) 594-9944 or contact us online for consultations.
Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatry, SC
5420 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60630
Phone:
(773) 594-9944
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