Pairing therapy and medication to treat depression can help you feel better faster, with a 50–60% improved rate of recovery compared with either alone. I offer both, in the same appointment.
Symptoms to look out for
- Persistent sadness or low mood
- Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Low energy and slowed thinking
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Common types of mood disorders
Major Depressive Disorder
Persistent sadness, hopelessness and loss of interest that affects sleep, appetite and concentration.
Bipolar Disorder
Emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression) that need specialized treatment and careful medication management.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
A chronic, low, dark or sad mood lasting two years or more, often mistaken for “just my personality.”
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Depression that returns at certain times of year, usually in the darker winter months.
Treatment and support
Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy and psychodynamic approaches help you manage symptoms and change the patterns underneath them.
Medication
Antidepressants, mood stabilizers and other medications can help rebalance brain chemistry. I monitor closely and adjust carefully.
Lifestyle
Regular exercise, nourishing food and adequate sleep all have a measurable effect on mood. I'm also following the growing research on the gut–brain connection.
Connection
Support groups and the people in your life can provide meaningful emotional support.
I treat people the way I would want my family or myself treated. I hate being rushed through an appointment and never want anyone to feel that way with me.
Denise Owen-FabriciusMSN, APN, PMHNP-BC
