Depression

Everyone feels sad now and then, but extreme or ongoing sadness could be a sign of depression. At Ascension Psychiatric Services in Atlanta, GA and Washington, DC, Anthony J. Hall, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, offers highly effective depression treatments to increase happiness and your quality of life. Call the office to learn more about your options, or schedule a telemedicine appointment online today.

What is depression?

Depression is a common mental health challenge that causes you to feel down in the dumps, hopeless, worthless, or other negative feelings that affect your quality of life. About one in 12 adults in the United States struggles with depression. Getting the treatment you need to enjoy life to its fullest is crucial and reduces the risk of worrisome symptoms. 

What are the symptoms of depression?

The symptoms of depression may include:

• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Sadness that’s severe or ongoing
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Thoughts of suicide
• Weight gain or weight loss
• Feeling worthless or hopeless
• Guilt or shame
• Substance misuse

Anxiety often accompanies depression, which can cause problems in your social life, career, or school. See Anthony if you suspect you have depression or another mental health challenge.

What causes depression?

The cause of depression isn’t always clear. It could develop because of a situation, such as a death in your family, chronic disease or illness, divorce, job loss, or financial difficulty. 

Genetics also plays a role in depression, as a family history of depression is a common risk factor. 

If you have anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or another mental health challenge, your chance of depression is higher. 

How is depression diagnosed?

To find out if you have depression and how to best treat it, Anthony reviews your medical history, symptoms, lifestyle habits, thoughts, mood, and behavior patterns. He offers genetic testing to determine which medications work best with your genetic makeup before personalizing an effective treatment plan. 

How is depression treated?

To awaken from debilitating symptoms of depression, Anthony offers lifestyle-change counseling, medication management, and psychotherapy to help you better cope with your feelings and improve your mood in the most natural way.

It helps to get regular exercise and plenty of sleep, practice stress-reduction techniques, and have a strong social support network in place.

Meet with Anthony via telemedicine periodically to complete therapy and ensure your current medications work effectively. He can change your treatment plan whenever needed to help improve your mood and quality of life.

To get treated for depression or other mental health challenges, call the Ascension Psychiatric Services office, or use the online booking feature today.