Depression

Depression Specialist

Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States. If you suffer from depression, board-certified psychiatrist Fredesvinda Jacobs-Alvarez, MD, at Esperanza Behavioral Health and Services offers treatment using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS is FDA approved for treating major depression. If depression is taking over your life, there are solutions to help. Call the office in Orlando, Florida, to learn more or book an appointment online today.

Depression Q & A

What is depression?

Depression is a serious medical illness that’s more than simply feeling sad for a few days. Sad feelings related to depression don’t go away and they interfere with everyday life. Symptoms of depression can include:

Loss of interest in your favorite activities
Weight gain or loss of appetite
Feeling sad or empty for more than a few weeks
Insomnia or sleeping too much

Fatigue, aches and pains, or digestive problems
Feeling irritable, anxious, guilty, or hopeless
Thoughts of death or suicide

Depression is dangerous if you have suicidal thoughts. Seek help immediately if you have thoughts or plans of harming yourself.

What causes depression?

Often depression is related to brain chemistry, other genetic factors, or hormone imbalances. It may also be situational as in the case of a death in the family, divorce, or job loss.

Depression can happen at any age and is more common among women than men. It might result, for women, from having a baby or from seasonal affective disorder, which is characterized by feeling blue during cold winter months.

Having an anxiety disorder is associated with depression. Evidence doesn’t point to a causal relationship between the two, but many people with anxiety also suffer from depression.

How are depression and anxiety diagnosed?

Your provider at Esperanza Behavioral Health and Services reviews your medical and mental health history and discusses your symptoms to determine if depression or anxiety is the cause of sadness or anxiousness in your life.

They might examine you for other medical conditions or use blood tests to check for signs of thyroid hormone imbalance or nutrient deficiencies.

How is Depression treated?

While there is no cure for this mental health disorder, Esperanza Behavioral Health and Services offers a number of effective depression treatments, including:

Medications

Taking certain medications can ease symptoms related to depression and anxiety.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is another option if you haven’t responded well to antidepressant medications. Your provider places a treatment coil against your scalp, which sends magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in your brain involved in mood regulation. Please check here for more information.

Psychotherapy

Individual or group talk therapy helps lift your mood, especially after a traumatic event or other difficult life situation.

Natural remedies

Natural mood boosters can include massage, yoga, meditation, regular exercise, dietary supplements, acupuncture, or spirituality to ease depression symptoms.

When you’re ready to feel the happiness you deserve, call Esperanza Behavioral Health and Services or make an appointment online today.