Depression

Depression is more than feeling sad; it’s a mood disorder that makes it hard to manage your usual life routine. Yung Park, MD, Kevin Lemaire, DO, Sima Paul, MD, Lesley Cano, PMHNP-BC, and the diverse team at Elevate Medical in New York City specialize in diagnosing and treating depression in people of all ages through their online psychiatry services. They take a personalized approach, finding and treating the root cause of your symptoms. Don’t let your depression take over your life when help is available. Call the office in Midtown Manhattan today, or schedule an appointment online. 

What does it feel like to have depression?

Depression feels like you’re living in a dense and heavy fog that makes life look hazy, dull, and difficult to navigate. 

Depression is a serious mental health condition that affects your behavior and thought process, causing persistent feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and despair.

Signs and symptoms vary, but many people with depression have an overburdened mental state that snowballs out of control, affecting their physical, mental, and social well-being. 

What causes depression?

Depression doesn’t have a single cause, but occurs from a combination of genetic, environmental, and social factors. 

You’re more likely to experience depression if it runs in your family. Many people may also develop depression when going through a major life change or a serious medical condition. 

Depression may also co-occur with mental health conditions like addiction, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and anxiety.

Specific circumstances may also trigger depression. For example, postpartum depression occurs during pregnancy or after childbirth, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs when the days are shorter (fall to spring). 

When should I seek help for depression?

Depression doesn’t get better on its own. You should schedule an appointment at Elevate Medical if you have any of the following symptoms for two or more weeks:

• Low mood
• Lack of energy
• Negative attitude
• Chronic fatigue
• Disinterest in activities
• Difficulty concentrating
• Unable to make decisions
• Change in appetite
• Insomnia
• Feelings of guilt

Elevate Medical provides most services for depression virtually and they treat all ages, offering child and adolescent psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry.

What treatments can lift depression?

Before making any treatment recommendations, your provider at Elevate Medical completes a comprehensive initial evaluation. The evaluation includes a medical exam and lab work to rule out physical conditions that might explain your symptoms.

They also ask detailed questions to get to the root of your symptoms so they can provide an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan. They customize your plan based on your needs and life circumstances and may include:

• Psychotherapy
• Medication management
• Lifestyle changes

Elevate Medical also provides Spravato®, a prescription nasal spray that is FDA-approved for people with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal thoughts. This is the only service Elevate Medical provides inside the office.

For compassionate depression care, call Elevate Medical today or click the online booking button to schedule an appointment.