Depression

Instic Health

Psychiatry & Neurology Specialists located in Plant City, FL, New Port Richey, FL & Inverness FL

Depression affects more than 8% of adults in the United States. At Instic Health in Plant City, Inverness, Tampa, and New Port Richey, Florida, board-certified psychiatrist Pragnesh Patel, MD, and the highly trained team diagnose and treat depression to improve your mood and quality of life. At the first sign of depression or constant sadness, call the Instic Health office nearest you or book an appointment online today.

Depression Q & A

What is depression?

Depression is a mental health condition in which you feel very sad, often for a long period of time. The Instic Health team offers treatment for the following types of depression:

Major depressive disorder
Postpartum depression
Seasonal affective disorder
Persistent depressive disorder
Psychotic depression

Anxiety often occurs with depression. If depression takes over your life and you desire relief, see the Instic Health team for an evaluation.

What are the risk factors for depression?

Anyone can develop depression, and many people experience it at some point during their life. Risk factors include genetics, family history of depression, hormone changes, low self-esteem, having a chronic disease, and taking certain medications, as well as drug or alcohol misuse and traumatic life events.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Signs and symptoms associated with depression vary from person to person. You may notice one or more of the following:

Emptiness, tearfulness, and sadness
Hopelessness, worthlessness, and guilt
Angry outbursts
Restlessness or anxiety
Weight loss or weight gain
Fatigue
Sleeping problems
Loss of interest in favorite activities
Problems concentrating
Physical aches and pains
Thoughts of suicide

Depression can affect your job, school, interpersonal relationships, and overall quality of life. Sometimes it’s situational and goes away on its own over time. However, in cases where depression symptoms do not improve, treatment can offer you significant relief.

How is depression diagnosed?

To find out if you have depression and develop a treatment plan, your Instic Health psychiatrist reviews your symptoms and medical history. They complete a comprehensive psychiatric assessment and may recommend you undergo blood tests or other diagnostic tests to detect or rule out other medical problems.

What are the common depression treatments?

If you can’t shake depression on your own and want relief, your Instic Health specialist might suggest one of the following depression treatments:

Lifestyle changes

Making healthy lifestyle changes can reduce unpleasant symptoms of depression. Examples include getting regular exercise, having a strong social support network, eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, and keeping stress levels low.

Medications

Taking medications can reduce symptoms of depression for many people. Your Instic Health psychiatrist tailors a medication regimen to match your needs and lifestyle.

Counseling

Psychiatric counseling (talk therapy) helps you learn ways to better cope with and reduce symptoms of depression.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Noninvasive TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in your brain associated with mood regulation.

Don’t let constant sadness control your life when simple depression treatments are within reach. Schedule an appointment with Instic Health by phone or book online today.