Find the root
A careful look at what's driving the low mood, so the plan treats the cause, not just the symptom.
Depression is treatable. Getting better is possible.
Depression isn't weakness, and it isn't something you can simply snap out of. It's common, it's treatable, and with the right plan most people get meaningfully better. You don't have to carry it alone.
Depression is more than sadness. It's a change in how you function, think, sleep, and feel about yourself, often for weeks or longer. It can be quiet and high-functioning, or it can make getting through the day feel impossible.
Signs we look for
- Low mood, emptiness, or a loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
- Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy
- Trouble concentrating, deciding, or remembering
- Feeling worthless, guilty, or like a burden
- Irritability, especially in teens and men
- Thoughts that life isn't worth living
Part of a careful evaluation is making sure we're treating the right thing. We look for patterns of high and low mood, thyroid and medical contributors, sleep, and substance use, because the right diagnosis leads to the right plan.
How we treat
Treatment is individualized and compassionate. It often combines a therapeutic relationship with medication when it's the right fit. We're honest about timelines and tradeoffs, we adjust as we learn what helps, and we follow through so you're supported between visits, not left waiting.
What to expect
A way forward
A plan that fits
Therapy-informed care and medication when it helps, explained honestly and started with care.
Follow-through
We stay with it, adjusting the course and checking in between visits as your situation changes.
If you're having thoughts of harming yourself, you deserve help right now. Call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or go to your nearest emergency department. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Sigma Psychiatry is not an emergency service and is not available 24/7. We will, however, take you seriously and help you build a plan that includes staying safe.
Depression Questions
Common questions
When should I consider treatment for depression?
If low mood, loss of interest, changes in sleep or appetite, or hopelessness have lasted more than a couple of weeks or are getting in the way of your life, it's worth an evaluation. You don't have to be at your lowest to deserve help.
Is medication required for depression?
No. Medication helps many people, but it's one option among several. We talk through the real tradeoffs and build a plan that fits you.
What if I'm having thoughts of harming myself?
If you're in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 or go to your nearest emergency department now. Sigma is not an emergency service. For ongoing care, we take these concerns seriously and build a safety plan with you.
Do you treat more than depression, such as bipolar or mood swings?
Yes. We evaluate and treat the full range of mood concerns, including depression and bipolar-spectrum mood symptoms, and we're careful to identify which one we're actually treating.
From the Journal
Further reading
Depression
More Than Sadness: Signs of Depression Worth Taking Seriously
Depression often looks like exhaustion, irritability, or numbness, not just tears. The signs worth taking seriously, when to seek help, and what actually treats it.
Read DepressionBehavioral Activation: Do First, Feel Later
One of the best-supported depression treatments is also the most counterintuitive: act before the motivation arrives. How behavioral activation works and how to start.
Read BurnoutBurnout or Depression? How to Tell the Difference
Burnout and depression feel almost identical from the inside, but they aren't the same thing. How to tell them apart, a quick self-check, and when to get evaluated.
ReadStart Here
The first step is the hardest. Take it with us.
Book a consultation or ask us anything on a free 15-minute intro call. Honest answers, no pressure.