Virtual Treatment for Depression

Depression is a common mood disorder that can cause serious symptoms in many individuals. These symptoms often make daily activities a difficult struggle and require proper diagnosis and treatment from a specialized physician.

Sol Wellness and Psychiatry provides comprehensive testing and treatment for depression. Dr. Patel will discuss her treatment recommendations with you including if Sol Wellness and Psychiatry will be the right fit for your treatment course.

Common Symptoms of Depression

Many people generalize depression to be a lingering feeling of sadness, but depression can include many specific symptoms, such as:

• Anxiety
• Loss of interest in enjoyed activities
• Tearfulness
• Feeling hopeless
• Frequent thoughts of death or suicide
• Intense fatigue
• Difficulty in remembering things or concentrating
• Trouble sleeping or excessive sleeping
• Fixating on life problems or past failures
• Increased irritability
• Feelings of guilt
• Sudden anger
• Slowed speech and/or body movements
• Changes in appetite
• Physical discomforts like back pain or recurring headaches

Not every individual will experience symptoms of depression in the same way. These unique variances may include several of the symptoms listed above, which may range in severity from one person to another. In order to be officially diagnosed with depression, an individual must experience symptoms consecutively for at least two weeks.

The Different Types of Depression

Depression can be characterized in several unique ways, including five primary forms of this disorder.

Postpartum Depression

Many women experience mild depressive symptoms in the first few weeks after delivering a child, but postpartum depression is a more serious form of this common “baby blues.” Women with postpartum depression may experience symptoms of extreme sadness, fatigue, and anxiety while pregnant or soon after giving birth.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

Also known as dysthymia, persistent depressive disorder is a mood disorder that lasts for a period of two years or more. During this length of time, individuals with a persistent depressive disorder are likely to experience varying intensities in their symptoms, leading them to battle severe depression at some moments, and mild symptoms at others.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

This particular subtype of depression causes depressive symptoms to frequently occur during the winter months when less sunlight is available during the day. Symptoms typically subside or lessen as the month’s progress into spring and summer seasons, but are likely to return once winter approaches.

Causes and Risk Factors

There is no exact cause of depression, and this mood disorder may arise at any age. Most often, depression is first diagnosed in early adulthood, and may be influenced by the following factors:

• Family history of depression
• Major trauma or personal stress
• Side effects of a medication
• Related medical problems or serious illness

Sol Wellness & Psychiatry’s Approach to Treating Depression

Just as symptoms can vary significantly in different people with depression, so too can recommend treatment options. Diagnosis with any psychiatric condition requires a thorough evaluation. Dr. Patel will schedule you for a 60-minute initial consultation visit during which she will discuss your medical and psychiatric history, current symptoms, and future goals to determine your diagnosis and recommended treatment plan.

Major Depressive Disorder requires a two week period during which an individual experiencing depressed mood and/or loss of interest with at least five of the following: change in sleep, loss of interest, guilt/hopelessness, change in energy, change in concentration, change in appetite, psychomotor changes, or suicidal thoughts. During the initial intake and ongoing follow-up sessions, Dr. Patel will evaluate a patient for new and old symptoms and changes from baseline to continuously ensure appropriate diagnosis and treatment for each patient.

Treatment for Depression

Sol Wellness and Psychiatry offers medication management and therapy. Choosing the right treatment plan involves collaboration between Dr. Patel and the patient. There are benefits and risks associated with each treatment option so Dr. Patel works closely with her patients to ensure that he/she is making the best and safest choice for his/her goals.

Treating Depression with an Online Psychiatrist

Online psychiatry has become increasingly popular in recent years thanks to many impressive advancements in technology. This relatively new form of healthcare provides patients with an incredible amount of ease and convenience as they work with a specialist to address any ongoing concerns about their mental health.

Sol Wellness and Psychiatry represents the new wave of psychiatrists who are familiar and comfortable with new techniques including telemedicine. Sol Wellness and Psychiatry also offers concierge psychotherapy which allows patients more flexibility for scheduling sessions on an as-needed basis.