How We Treat Depression
The Arroyos treatment team starts with a thorough evaluation of your depression to make sure we understand your symptoms to make an accurate diagnosis. We also need to address your level of functioning and any suicidal feelings, if present, so that we can create a plan for safety.
We will discuss your concerns and goals for treatment and then create a customized treatment plan together with you. We offer a variety of types of evidenced-based psychotherapy, and we may recommend adding medication management as well. Our staff is here to provide you with premier care to help you address your problems so that you can feel better and start living life well.
Diagnosing Depression
A cornerstone of your treatment at The Arroyos is to obtain an accurate diagnosis of your depression. Feeling depressed is a symptom, not a diagnosis.Your depression could be the result of:
- Depressive Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Another psychiatric disorder
- Substance Use Disorder (drugs and alcohol)
- Medical Condition
- Normal life, for example, grieving the loss of a loved one
Making an accurate diagnosis of depression is complicated and is best made by a licensed mental health professional. Misdiagnosis can be serious. For example, mistaking bipolar depression for “regular” depression can lead to catastrophic consequences. Depression symptoms can also be the result of diabetes or thyroid conditions. Getting the right diagnosis is essential to getting the best treatment.
Types of Depression
Depression is referred to as a Mood Disorder is the result of a primary mental health disorder. Mood disorders can be grouped broadly into the following categories. Depressive Disorders (also referred to as unipolar depression) include major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Bipolar Disorders include bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, and cyclothymic disorder. While the depressive experience is the same for both depressive and bipolar patients, the primary difference between these two groups is the presence of one or more lifetime manic episodes in patients who have bipolar depression. Unipolar or bipolar mood disorder episodes can also be caused by medical conditions or by the use of drugs and alcohol.
Psychotherapy for Depression
Our psychologists offer several evidence-based (scientifically validated) types of psychotherapy to treat depression. Your treatment team will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan just for you. We often treat depression with these types of psychotherapy, used alone or in combination:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
- Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT)
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy
- Psychoeducation for depression
- Group therapy for depression
- Family focused therapy for depression (FFT)
Your treatment is an ongoing process that can be changed or modified at any time – it’s up to you and your team working together to provide you with the best experience to help you address your problems in a safe and effective way.
Medications for Depression
Our psychiatrists will work closely with you and your Arroyos psychologist to select the right medication management program individually tailored for you. For unipolar depression, standard medication options often include SSRIs, SNRIs, and NDRIs. The choice of which class of medication, brand, and dose is made between you and your psychiatrist. Your psychiatrist may recommend that you complete pharmacogenomic testing through The Arroyos laboratory service to better match your medications with your genetic profile. Your psychiatrist may also discuss alternative antidepressant medications such as SPARIs, SARIs, NRIs, MAOIs, augmenting antidepressants, and other treatment options for your depression, particularly if you are not responding to traditional antidepressants.
How to Help a Loved One?
If you have a loved one who is suffering from depression, it is important to talk with them right away about your concerns. They may be embarrassed about their condition, have difficulty putting their feelings into words, feel hopeless or worthless, or be preoccupied with feelings of guilt or even suicidal thoughts. Let them know that you care and that you are confident that they can feel better if they speak to a trained professional. Please call us if they are willing to schedule an intake appointment. If they are unwilling or unable to get help, they may need to be hospitalized. If they are expressing thoughts of hurting themselves or someone else, this is an emergency. Call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room.