Depression

Depression is a common mental health concern that may affect one in 10 Americans, including one in five teenagers and young adults. At PsychPro Health, based in Brockton, Massachusetts, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Ana Depina, PMHNP, diagnoses and provides in-person and virtual treatments for depression to restore hope, happiness, and peace of mind. Schedule an in-office or telehealth evaluation with Ana by phone or request one online today.

What is depression?

Depression is a common mental health condition affecting your mood, causing extreme or ongoing sadness that may negatively interfere with your quality of life. It can impact your job, grades at school, activities of daily living, and relationships with other people. See Ana at PsychPro Health at the first sign of depression, as it can become dangerous in some instances.

Which symptoms can depression cause?

Depression can lead to:

• Feeling helpless, worthless, or hopeless
• Ongoing sadness
• Irritability
• Frustration
• Anxiety
• No longer enjoying your favorite activities 
• Changes in eating habits
• Weight loss or gain
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Physical aches and pains
• Substance misuse
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Thoughts of self-harm
• Withdrawing from family and friends 

Depression is common, as about one in six people in the United States may develop depression during their lifetime.

What increases the risk of depression?

The risk factors for depression include:

• Brain chemistry changes
• Ongoing stress
• Traumatic life events
• Family history of depression
• Anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health conditions
• Loss of a loved one
• Divorce or breakup
• Job loss/financial challenges
• Chronic health conditions (diabetes, heart disease, obesity, etc.)
• Having few or no friends
• Some medications 
• Getting bullied

However, the exact cause of depression isn’t always clear.

How is depression diagnosed?

Ana diagnoses depression and its potential causes by completing a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. She reviews your lifestyle, symptoms, medical history, and medications. She asks questions that assess your moods, emotions, behaviors, and thoughts and personalizes an effective treatment plan based on your goals.

How is depression treated?

Treating depression with Ana at PsychPro Health often involves healthy lifestyle education, medication management, individualized therapy, and other forms of therapy. She offers cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and other therapies via telehealth and in person. 

It’s also helpful to adopt relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, tai chi, mindfulness, massage, walking outdoors, acupuncture, and similar strategies. Eat nutritious foods, exercise regularly, get 7-9 hours of sleep, avoid drugs and alcohol, and spend time with family and friends.

Schedule a depression evaluation with Ana at PsychPro Health by calling the office or booking a visit online today.