Skip to content

Depression Help and Treatment

What is Depression?

Depression or major depressive disorder is a common but serious illness which negatively affects how you feel, think, and act. Depression causes you to feel sadness, feel hopeless, loose interest in activities, and can lead to a variety of physical and emotional problems. The problems associated with depression can decrease your ability to function at work, school, or at home. 

Anxiety help el paso tms

Types of Depressive Disorders

Major depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. For some individuals, major depression can result in severe impairments that interfere with or limit one’s ability to carry out major life activities.

  • Major Depressive Disorder is a period of at least two weeks when a person experienced a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities, and had a majority of specified symptoms, such as problems with sleep, eating, energy, concentration, or self-worth.
  • No exclusions were made for a major depressive episode symptoms caused by medical illness, substance use disorders, or medication.

NIH

Persistent depressive disorder (also called dysthymia) is a depressed mood that lasts for at least two years. A person diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder may have episodes of major depression along with periods of less severe symptoms, but symptoms must last for two years to be considered persistent depressive disorder.

NIMH

Postpartum depression is much more serious than the “baby blues” (relatively mild depressive and anxiety symptoms that typically clear within two weeks after delivery) that many women experience after giving birth. Women with postpartum depression experience full-blown major depression during pregnancy or after delivery (postpartum depression). The feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that accompany postpartum depression may make it difficult for these new mothers to complete daily care activities for themselves and/or for their babies.

NIMH

Bipolar disorder is different from depression, but it is included in this list is because someone with bipolar disorder experiences episodes of extremely low moods that meet the criteria for major depression (called “bipolar depression”). But a person with bipolar disorder also experiences extreme high – euphoric or irritable – moods called “mania” or a less severe form called “hypomania.”

NIMH

Seasonal affective disorder is characterized by the onset of depression during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. This depression generally lifts during spring and summer. Winter depression, typically accompanied by social withdrawal, increased sleep, and weight gain, predictably returns every year in seasonal affective disorder.

NIMH

Symptoms of Depression

DepressionTreatments

Psychotherapy El Paso Anxiety Depression TMS

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy or psychological counseling involves working alongside a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist to reduce symptoms of depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective forms of psychotherapy for depression.

Medications El Paso Anxiety Help TMS

Medications

There are a wide variety of medications which are used to treat anxiety and anxiety disorders. This may include drugs such as antidepressants, buspirone, benzodiazepines, etc. However, many medications do have side effects and can be addictive.

TMS (Transcranial magnetic stimulation)

TMS is a new depression and anxiety treatment approved by the FDA. If you need depression help, TMS is now available here in El Paso, Texas. TMS is one of the newest and most innovative procedures in aiding treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. Clinical research has also revealed that it may be helpful in treating PTSD, chronic pain, anxiety and bipolar disorders. TMS uses a magnetic field — similar to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — to stimulate the brain’s dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC).