What Is Depression?
People often use the word depression to describe sadness or melancholy, but this mental health condition goes beyond gloominess. Depression is a mood disorder that causes feelings of sadness, but it persists, affecting your thinking, your energy levels and your day-to-day activities. The symptoms of major depression are often disabling.
A psychiatrist for depression is a medical doctor who specializes in depression treatment. This physician has specialized training in the assessment and treatment of mental health disorders. As part of depression treatment, your psychiatrist prescribes medication and depression counseling.
In Manhattan, you can find the best psychiatrist for depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions at Dr. Ditzell Psychiatry. Following an in-depth initial consultation and exam, Dr. Ditzell offers a full range of services that may include depression medication online as part of an effective, personalized medication management regimen.
How Do I Know if I Need a Depression Doctor or Just a Counselor?
Seek a firm diagnosis from a professional before embarking on mental health treatment. It’s not unusual to feel sad if you’ve recently experienced a loss, such as death in the family, a divorce, a lost job or a combination of seemingly small disappointments. It happens to just about everyone at some point in their lives. Before diagnosing depression, your New York psychiatrist looks for:
- Symptoms that happen most of the day every day for two weeks or longer
- Physical manifestations like headaches, insomnia, chronic overall pain, stomach problems, loss of appetite or general fatigue and lack of energy
- Symptoms that affect your everyday life and create negative consequences like missing work or disrupting relationships
Depression isn’t a character flaw or a sign of weakness. While there is no depression cure, you can’t simply snap out of it, either. Depression is a serious condition that requires expert diagnosis and treatment. When you ignore symptoms of depression, they can worsen, leading to a host of serious problems, such as:
- Drug addiction
- Self-mutilation
- Family conflicts
- Social isolation
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts
For more information about our mental health specialists or depression treatment options, schedule a same-day in-person or telehealth appointment at Dr. Ditzell Psychiatry today.
What Are the Symptoms of Depression?
The symptoms of depression range from mild to severe, and you may experience them all on any given day. The condition affects people of all ages, and there isn’t always a situation or event that triggers its onset. Symptoms often first appear in the late teens to mid-20s. If you have depression, symptoms may include:
- Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
- Feelings of gloominess, worthlessness or hopelessness
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Fatigue or low energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Slow-moving thoughts
- Changes in appetite
- Being easily frustrated or irritable
- Difficulty making decisions
- Forgetfulness
- Physical symptoms, such as nerve pain or migraines
Your depression psychiatrist evaluates your symptoms, your overall health and your medical history. The physician considers how long you’ve been experiencing symptoms, how severe your symptoms are and whether they’re triggered by medical conditions. An accurate diagnosis requires the knowledge of an expert like Dr. Ditzell, who can determine which came first, a physical trauma or the mental health condition.
Are There Different Types of Depression?
Several different types of depression exist, some more severe than others. Conditions that commonly fall under the umbrella of depression include:
- Persistent depressive disorder. This depression, previously called dysthymia, is mild or moderate. It has lasted at least two years before diagnosis.
- Major depressive disorder. Also known as clinical depression, this is the most severe form of depression. Without major depressive disorder treatments, your symptoms may become all-consuming, making it difficult to do basic daily tasks like bathing and eating.
- Seasonal affective disorder. This type of depression is triggered by shorter days in the fall and winter, subsiding in the spring and summer.
- Postpartum depression. This is a type of depression that occurs in some women within a few weeks of having a baby.
Bipolar disorder is another condition that can trigger depressive symptoms. Formerly called manic depression, bipolar disorder may trigger periods of sadness and lethargy, alternating with periods of mania that manifests as extreme bouts of high energy and excitement.
What Causes Depression?
Experts believe a combination of factors cause depression. To reach a diagnosis, your psychiatrist for depression must have a complete picture of your medical and family history. Your depression may be caused by:
- Physical changes in your brain
- Inherited traits
- Hormone changes
- Changes in neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that naturally occur in the brain
Some medications can cause depression as a side effect. Additionally, there are a variety of risk factors that increase your chances of developing depression, including:
- A history of traumatic events, such as physical or sexual abuse
- Low self-esteem
- Addiction to alcohol or other substances
- A history of other mental health disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Family members with a history of alcoholism, addiction or mental illness
- Chronic pain or medical conditions
If you think you have depression, don’t delay; we can help. Call us to schedule a same-day in-person or telehealth appointment for a comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Ditzell Psychiatry today.
What’s Involved in Depression Treatment?
Your best treatment for depression depends on your symptoms. Your NYC doctor may try a variety of techniques, including depression counseling and medications, before landing on the right combination to reduce or eliminate your symptoms, which is the goal of depression treatment. Major depressive disorder treatments include:
- Psychotherapy. Depression counseling involves talking to a licensed psychiatrist to identify and change the thoughts, emotions and behaviors that aren’t working. People with mild depression symptoms benefit from just a few sessions of depression counseling. If your symptoms are more severe, you may need a combination of talk therapy and medication.
- Medication. Antidepressants are prescription medications that improve imbalances in the brain chemistry triggering depression. Since there are different types of antidepressants, your Manhattan psychiatrist works with you to find the medication or combination of medications that work best for you.
- Brain stimulation. If your depression is severe, your doctor may recommend treatment, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy or vagus nerve stimulation.
Lifestyle changes often help lessen symptoms of mild-to-moderate depression. Changes may include eating a healthy diet, doing some exercise and getting enough sleep. Alcohol is a depressant, so it’s a good idea to avoid alcohol when experiencing symptoms of depression.
Finding a Depression Therapist Near Me
The right depression specialist doesn’t just treat symptoms—they help you find your footing again. They’ll work with you to restore emotional balance, tackle the root causes, and make daily life feel a little more manageable. With the right support, the weight of depression gets lighter, and feeling like yourself again starts to feel real.
How to Find a Depression Therapist in Your Area
If you’re seeking depression treatment nearby, here are a few tips:
- Ask your primary care doctor for recommendations.
- Check with your insurance provider for a list of in-network specialists.
- Search online for “therapist near me for depression,” “depression therapist near me,” or “depression treatment near me.”
- Look for specialists through professional associations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) or the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
- Check with local health departments, community centers, and non-profit organizations.
- Read reviews of local doctors online and schedule consultations to get to know more about them.
- Your depression specialist should be board-certified in psychiatry, clinical psychology, or a related field such as counseling or social work.
Is There a Depression Cure?
There’s no cure for depression, but it’s a highly treatable mental health condition. Treatment brings symptoms under control, but you may still experience additional depressive episodes. Finding the right treatment for depression takes time, and even after once you and your depression doctor find a treatment plan that’s effective for you, your psychiatrist may need to adjust your treatment.
Effective treatment for depression starts by finding a depression psychiatrist with extensive training and experience. At Dr. Ditzell Psychiatry, you build a bond and a trusting relationship with a team that’s committed to providing advanced depression treatment options in a comfortable environment. If you’re hoping for depression medication online, telepsychiatry and teletherapy are available. Call Dr. Ditzell Psychiatry today at (646) 751-7908 for a consultation.
See a Depression Specialist in New York City
New York City mental health professionals led by Dr. Ditzell are experts in treating depression using a comprehensive, multifaceted approach. Schedule a same-day appointment today with a well-regarded team of therapists and a psychiatrist for safe and effective depression treatments.