Depression

Depression services offered in Alpharetta, GA

Alpha Medical Clinic in Alpharetta, Georgia, recommends seeking help for depression as soon as you have symptoms. With their combined 50 years of internal medicine experience, board-certified physicians Dhiraj Patel, MD, and Neil Patel, MD, understand how depression affects your physical, emotional, and social well-being. The team can provide the early care you need to feel better. They can also refer you to an appropriate specialist. Call the office or schedule your depression consultation online today.

What is depression?

Depression is a mental illness that causes a low mood and energy level. It negatively affects how you think and feel, which changes your usual behaviors.

Depression is common and may occur at any time of life. Though depression may strike without an obvious cause, the mental health condition often develops in response to a major life change or a serious illness.

What are the types of depression?

There are several types of depression. Each type has its own set of symptoms and triggers. Some of the common types of depression include:

Clinical depression

Clinical depression, also called major depressive disorder (MDD), causes persistent feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and disinterest in leisure activities that last all day for two or more weeks.

Clinical depression is the most common and severe type of depression.

Persistent depressive disorder (PDD)

PDD causes mild to moderate feelings of sadness and hopelessness that lasts for two or more years. People with PDD may have a low mood and energy level, but can still manage to go about their usual routine.

Depressive disorder due to another medical condition

When a medical condition like hypothyroidism, heart disease, or cancer, causes your depression, you have depressive disorder due to an underlying medical condition.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

SAD is a type of depression that affects people during the time of the year when there’s less sunlight, usually from fall to spring.

When should I seek help for depression?

You should seek help for depression as soon as you notice that your feelings of sadness are affecting how you think and act. The sooner you get treatment, the sooner you can feel better.

The experienced medical professionals at Alpha Medical Clinic conduct a thorough examination when you come in with concerns about depression so they can create the most effective treatment plan.

They review your symptoms, medical history, family history, and perform a physical exam. They also run lab work to confirm or rule out depressive disorder due to another medical condition.

What are some treatments for depression?

The team at Alpha Medical Clinic takes a patient-centered approach to care, creating treatment plans that best fit your needs. For depression, your plan may include psychotherapy with a therapist, antidepressants, treatment for your underlying medical condition, or a combination of these.

Don’t wait to seek help to improve your depression symptoms. Call Alpha Medical Clinic or schedule an appointment online today.