Depression
Depression is more than just feeling sad — it is a serious and complex mood disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and handles daily activities. Symptoms of depression include persistent feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, fatigue, changes in sleep and appetite, difficulty concentrating, and in severe cases, thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Depression can stem from a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors, and it affects people of all ages. Left untreated, depression can significantly impair a person’s ability to work, maintain relationships, and enjoy life.
Antidepressant medications are a cornerstone of depression treatment and work by regulating brain chemistry, particularly the levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. SSRIs such as sertraline and fluoxetine, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, and newer agents like bupropion or mirtazapine may all be considered depending on your specific symptoms, history, and health profile. At Shore to Shore Psychiatry, our team carefully evaluates each patient to determine the most effective medication regimen, often combined with therapy to produce the best outcomes. With the right treatment plan, depression is a highly manageable condition and recovery is possible.
