Depression is more than just a case of the blues, but thankfully, it’s highly treatable. If you’ve been feeling persistently sad or empty, find yourself withdrawing from life, and can’t seem to bounce back, you may be experiencing clinical depression. At Human Touch Behavioral Health in Sacramento, California, board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Archana Trivedi can help you manage depression through medication, psychotherapy, and guided lifestyle changes. To schedule an appointment, call Human Touch Behavioral Health today.
Everyone feels sad from time to time, especially in response to difficult life events, but depression is more than just sadness. Not only does depression last longer than a regular bout of sadness; it refers to a wider range of emotions and symptoms. You may be experiencing depression if you:
In general, what distinguishes depression from sadness is that depression noticeably affects your well-being and day-to-day functioning. If you’re struggling, seek help at Human Touch Behavioral Health, even if you’re not sure your whether your problems qualify as depression.
Though the exact cause of depression is unknown, common risk factors for developing depression include:
Depression has a genetic and biological component. Some people are more likely than others to develop depression in response to the above risk factors. However, even if you have a family member with depression, your experience of the condition may be different.
Dr. Trivedi treats depression with a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. Effective therapy approaches for depression include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on recognizing and changing negative thought patterns.
She may also prescribe an antidepressant medication, such as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which can reduce or control your symptoms, so you can be more receptive to the positive effects of therapy.
When treating depression, Dr. Trivedi assesses environmental and lifestyle factors that may contribute to your condition. She may recommend the following:
When combined with therapy and medication, these lifestyle changes can be very effective for reducing depression symptoms and even preventing them from returning.
To get help for depression, schedule an appointment with Dr. Trivedi by calling Human Touch Behavioral Health today.