Depression Treatment in Provo, UT

Does your mind race with past problems or future worries? Do you feel persistently down, tired, or depressed? Are your challenges affecting your work and home life?

It is particularly difficult to take care of yourself and get out of a slump when you experience the lack of motivation and low energy that are characterize depression. Fortunately, making even small but persistent efforts toward recovery can yield a significant improvement in your symptoms faster than you might expect.

Overview

Depression impacts approximately 5-10% of adults in the US and stands as the prevalent mood disorder. It diminishes life’s pleasures and hampers work productivity and interpersonal connections. Fortunately, treatment frequently proves successful in alleviating depression, often without resorting to medication.

Symptoms of depression

• Feeling down or depressed for at least 2 weeks without specific reason
• Lack motivation and trouble finishing even simple tasks
• Despite getting adequate sleep, you still feel tired or lethargic
• Difficulty getting adequate nutrition and gaining/ losing weight from not eating enough, or making poor food choices
• Decreased enjoyment from activities you normally like
• Withdrawal from social activities

Causes

It is impossible to determine why one individual experiences depression while someone with similar life circumstances does not. However, depression is more likely to occur after going through a traumatic life event, such as a divorce or a death in the family, losing a job, or changing life stages. Starting or ending a career, getting married or divorced, becoming parents or empty nesters are all times when you’re forced to re-evaluate your identity and self-worth. If you don’t have the right resources to help you through the adjustment, this can easily lead to depression.

Risk factors for depression

Risk factors that increase your likelihood of developing depression include genetics (having at least one family member with depression), environmental factors (a history of abuse or trauma, undeveloped life skills, and lack of a suitable support system), and biological factors (certain medical conditions, brain chemistry or certain medications that you might take to treat other conditions).

Diagnosis

It’s important to visit your healthcare professional for a thorough assessment in order to make an accurate diagnosis. Clinical depression will be treated according to what type of depression you have. For instance, treating postpartum depression (depression following childbirth) will be different than treating seasonal affective disorder (a type of depression that manifests in the colder months). Similarly, depression that occurs alongside another mental health condition will need to be treated differently from depression caused by an underlying medical condition.

A qualified healthcare professional will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your symptoms, overall health, family history, and any other relevant factors that could have contributed to your depression. They will then provide recommendations based on their evaluation. In certain cases, blood tests may be necessary to eliminate the possibility of an underlying health condition that could be causing your depression. If necessary, your doctor may also refer you to additional healthcare providers, such as therapists or psychologists.

Treatment

The most suitable treatment for your depression will largely depend on the underlying cause of your depression and the severity of your symptoms.

If the root cause of your depression is determined to be an underlying health condition or a side effect of medication you are taking, your doctor may consider modifying or replacing your current medication. In cases of mild depression, implementing positive lifestyle changes like improving your diet, establishing a regular sleep pattern, and engaging in regular exercise can significantly alleviate symptoms. Additionally, psychotherapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or other forms of therapy can assist in symptom management and help you build lifelong coping skills.

In instances of severe depression, your mental health provider may suggest the use of medication, particularly in the short term, to support you during an especially challenging period.

Fortunately, depression often responds to the right treatment. Although you might feel unmotivated to ask for help, as soon as you reach out for help, you already start the process of getting better. Even small steps taken by you can lead to significant enhancements in your symptoms. The key is to take that first step and begin your journey towards recovery.

The connection between depression and grief

There is a strong connection between depression and grief, as both can significantly impact an individual’s emotional well-being. Grief is a natural response to a significant loss, such as the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or the loss of a job. It involves feelings of sadness, longing, and a sense of emptiness. However, when grief becomes prolonged and intensifies, it can develop into a depressive episode or trigger pre-existing depression. The symptoms of depression, including persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite and sleep patterns, feelings of worthlessness, and difficulty concentrating, can overlap with the emotional experience of grief. The loss and associated changes in life circumstances can disrupt one’s sense of identity, purpose, and social support, contributing to the development of depression. It is important for individuals experiencing grief to seek support and professional help if they notice persistent depressive symptoms that interfere with their daily functioning and quality of life.

Depression and other mental health challenges

Depression commonly coexists with other mental health disorders, such as anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Trauma, loss, or the end of a relationship can also act as triggers for depression. Additionally, individuals experiencing depression are more susceptible to engaging in unhealthy coping mechanisms, including alcohol abuse or other detrimental behaviors. It is important to recognize these interconnected factors and address them as part of the overall treatment approach for individuals with depression.

Working with your mental health professional, you can disentangle the complex web of cause and effect that can grow up around depression. You can work through your issues.

Reach out today

If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of depression, professional, effective treatment is available in Utah. Reach out to Dr. Robinson today to learn more about how therapy can help with depression, anxiety, stress, and other mental health challenges.

References and further reading

Cuijpers, P., Karyotaki, E., Wit, L., & Ebert, D. (2020). The effects of fifteen evidence-supported therapies for adult depression: A meta-analytic review. Psychotherapy Research.

Cuijpers, P., Oud, M., Karyotaki, E., Noma, H., Quero, S., Cipriani, A., Arroll, B., & Furukawa, T. (2021). Psychologic Treatment of Depression Compared With Pharmacotherapy and Combined Treatment in Primary Care: A Network Meta-Analysis. The Annals of Family Medicine.

Pablo, G., Solmi, M., Vaquerizo-Serrano, J., Raduà, J., Passina, A., Morsillo, P., Correll, C., Borgwardt, S., Galderisi, S., Bechdolf, A., Pfennig, A., Bauer, M., Kessing, L., Amelsvoort, T., Nieman, D., Domschke, K., Krebs, M., Sand, M., Vieta, E., McGuire, P., Arango, C., Shin, J., & Fusar-Poli, P. (2021). Primary prevention of depression: An umbrella review of controlled interventions. Journal of affective disorders.