Depression

Depression is so prevalent that you can easily forget it’s a serious mental health disorder that infiltrates and upsets all aspects of your life. At Ismail MD PA, caring psychiatrist Saiqa Ismail, MD, provides personalized care for depression, creating customized treatment plans that restore your mental and emotional health. Don’t wait for depression to get better on its own. Call the office in Coral Springs, Florida, or request an in-person or telehealth appointment online today.

When do I need help for depression?

Depression can begin after you experience a traumatic event or face a life transition such as moving or losing a job. Many people become depressed when they deal with anxiety and stress or suffer from emotional or physical abuse.

You may feel depressed without an obvious trigger. This happens when brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) get out of balance.

Once depression takes hold, neurotransmitter levels are affected whether or not something triggered your depression. For this reason, major depression seldom improves on its own. In fact, without treatment, depression often gets worse.

If your symptoms last more than two weeks or you think about suicide, it’s time to seek help for your depression.

What symptoms develop due to depression? 

People with depression have symptoms such as:

• Feeling hopeless, sad, and worthless (depressed)
• Withdrawing from your family and friends
• Losing interest in activities you usually enjoy
• Eating more or less than usual
• Gaining or losing weight
• Sleeping more than usual
• Suffering from insomnia
• Having a hard time concentrating
• Being unable to make decisions
• Thinking about suicide
• Having aches, pains, or digestive problems

Many people with depression feel irritable, restless, and anxious. No matter which symptoms you experience, they pervade your life nearly every day.

How is depression treated?

Ismail MD PA  completes a psychiatric assessment, identifies triggering events, and develops a highly personalized treatment plan based on your symptoms.

Therapy

Many people overcome depression with evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Trauma-focused and emotion-focused therapies also help many people, depending on your unique type of depression.

Each type of therapy takes a different approach. You may learn to recognize and change negative thoughts, gain a different perspective, or learn to understand your emotional reactions and find new ways to deal with the challenges you face.

Medication

While therapy alone may lift depression, your provider determines if you need antidepressant medications. These medications restore the brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) needed to improve and regulate your mood.  

Antidepressants help many people with moderate to severe depression but don’t take effect for several weeks. During that time, your provider monitors your symptoms and may suggest therapy to support your needs. 

Don’t wait to get help for depression. Call Ismail MD PA or book an appointment online today.

Dr. Ismail is an experienced psychiatrist that treats patients for ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder and more. Call us to book your appointment today.