Depression Specialist

What is depression?

Depression is a common mental health challenge that affects your mood. It causes severe or ongoing sadness and often negatively affects your quality of life. PhillWell providers offer treatments that reduce unpleasant symptoms, improve your mood, and help you enjoy life to its fullest.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Common symptoms you might notice with depression include:

• Irritability
• Ongoing or severe sadness
• Mood swings
• Hopelessness
• Worthlessness
• Tearfulness 
• Loss of interest
• Sleeping problems
• Fatigue
• Appetite changes
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Anxiety
• Problems at work
• Struggles with relationships
• Difficulty concentrating 
• Thoughts of suicide
• Unexplained aches and pains

Depression can cause problems in relationships or at work. It also increases your risk of drug and alcohol misuse. 

Sometimes depression is situational and goes away over time. If depression negatively affects your life, see the specialists at PhillWell for an evaluation. 

What are the risk factors for depression?

Depression is common, and anyone can experience it, but factors that boost your risk include:

• Family or personal history of depression
• Anxiety 
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Other mental health challenges
• Hormone changes
• Certain personality traits
• Chronic medical conditions
• Drug or alcohol misuse 
• Low self-esteem 
• Ongoing stress
• Weight challenges 
• Some medications 
• Traumatic life events

Life situations that may increase your risk of depression include a death in your family, job loss, divorce, abuse, military combat, or other traumatic life situations. 

How does my provider diagnose depression?

To find out if you have depression, Dr. Phillips discusses your symptoms and medical history with you. She completes a psychiatric assessment, cognitive testing, and genetic testing if necessary before personalizing a treatment that’s best for you. She always gives you a voice in your mental health care.

How is depression treated?

Treatment for depression varies, as every patient is different. Dr. Phillips often recommends making healthy lifestyle changes, such as getting regular exercise, sleeping more, eating nutritious foods, and keeping stress levels low.

She offers at-home ketamine therapy and other medication prescriptions, as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and other forms of psychotherapy. Combining multiple treatments into your plan is often the best way to keep depression symptoms under control.

To get treated for depression, call the PhillWell office, or schedule a virtual appointment online today.