pic

Depression

Psychiatry & Medication Management located in Denver and Greenwood Village, CO

Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders affecting all age groups in the U.S. With multiple treatment options, including ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and esketamine nasal spray, the experienced psychiatric team at Peak Interactive Wellness in Denver, Colorado, can effectively manage depression symptoms and improve your quality of life. Call the practice today or schedule an appointment online to meet in person or via telemedicine.

What is depression?

Depression is a mental health condition that affects your emotional and physical health. It can cause severe symptoms that negatively affect your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. While sadness is a normal part of life, depression is more than a fleeting feeling. It can interfere with every aspect of life, from work productivity to interpersonal relationships.

What are the main signs of depression?

Depression isn’t always obvious. While sadness and hopelessness are the most well-known signs, there are often subtle and nuanced indicators that may vary from person to person. Other common depression symptoms include:

  • Low mood
  • Persistent fatigue
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Lost interest in once-loved activities
  • Disconnecting from others
  • Low productivity
  • Slowed thinking or speaking
  • Reduced or increased appetite
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Headaches or back pain
  • Irritability
  • Sleeping too little or too much

Understanding the warning signs of depression is essential to seek treatment and support. Early intervention can lead to improved outcomes that help enhance your well-being and quality of life.

How long does depression last?

To receive a clinical depression diagnosis, you must experience at least five symptoms a day for two weeks or longer. Episodes can last for several weeks or months and return after periods of relative normalcy. The sooner you receive care, the sooner you can enjoy lasting relief from depression symptoms.

What is the root cause of depression?

Depression is a complex disorder resulting from chemical imbalances in the brain. Many factors can increase your risk of developing the condition, such as:

  • Certain personality traits, including low self-esteem
  • Stressful life events
  • Drug and alcohol use
  • Poor sleep
  • Underlying medical conditions
  • Physical inactivity
  • A family history

Depression doesn’t discriminate, and can impact anybody, regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, or cultural background.

What are the most effective treatments for depression?

Depression usually involves a multimodality approach that combines multiple types of treatments, such as:

  • Psychotherapy
  • Cognitive-behavioral-therapy (CBT)
  • Antidepressants
  • Spravato® esketamine nasal spray
  • Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy

Spravato and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy are emerging treatments for treatment-resistant depression that use a popular anesthetic to provide fast relief from depression symptoms.

To learn more about the treatments available at Peak Interactive Wellness, call or schedule an appointment online today.