Depression
Depression services serving Redondo Beach, Los Angeles, CA and the surrounding areas
Depression will affect more than 20% of American adults at some point during their lives. Many people with depression struggle with severe episodes that significantly affect their daily life. The psychiatrists at Regeneration Psychiatry specialize in providing personalized care that restores balance to your mental, emotional, and physical health. They also offer LBGTQ+-affirming care, helping their patients overcome depression arising from their unique life experiences. If you feel sad or hopeless, don’t wait to schedule an appointment. Call the office in Redondo Beach, California, or book online today.
Depression Q&A
What is depression?
Depression is a serious mental health disorder that affects your energy and every aspect of your daily life. Without treatment, one episode of depression can last months or years. Unfortunately, many people hesitate to seek help, often because they think their depression will get better on its own.
Your depression may begin for various reasons. A life event or medical condition may send you reeling. You could inherit a genetic tendency that makes you more likely to develop depression. Or low neurotransmitter levels could trigger depression for no apparent reason.
No matter why your low mood begins, depression persists due to a chemical imbalance in your brain. That’s why it can last so long if you don’t seek treatment.
What symptoms develop due to depression?
Depression affects your mood, energy, and ability to engage in your usual activities. You may experience symptoms such as:
Feeling sad, worthless, and hopeless
Avoiding your partner, friends, and family
Losing interest in the activities you enjoy
Experiencing changes in your weight and/or appetite
Sleeping more than usual or being unable to sleep
Feeling extreme fatigue or lacking energy
Having a hard time concentrating or making decisions
Needing to move (like pacing) or moving very slowly
Thinking about or creating a plan to commit suicide
If your symptoms last two weeks or longer, it’s time to call Regeneration Psychiatry and schedule a consultation.
How is depression treated?
After your Regeneration Psychiatry provider completes a thorough assessment, they recommend individualized treatment that may include medication, therapy, or other complementary options.
People with mild depression may only need therapy to restore balance, while moderate to severe depression often responds best to a combination of medication and therapy. Antidepressants boost the brain chemicals responsible for regulating and improving your mood.
Though antidepressants help many people, they don’t take effect for several weeks. During that time, psychotherapy can help you change negative thoughts, learn new ways of coping with the things that trigger depression, and engage in behaviors that promote well-being.
For people who have tried conventional treatments without success, the board-certified psychiatrists at Regeneration Psychiatry are experienced in the management of treatment-resistant depression, including the use of combination treatments, new/emerging treatments, and neuromodulation (such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS).
Regeneration Psychiatry has helped many people find their way through depression and into a better life. If you struggle with a low mood and sadness, call the office or book an appointment online today.