Depression Treatment in Denver, Colorado

Someone with clinical depression, also referred to as major depressive disorder, may experience one or more symptoms. Some include:

• Feeling hopeless
• Feeling fatigued
• Having trouble doing everyday tasks, such as cleaning or cooking
• Feeling sad
• Feeling numb 
• Experiencing a change in eating habits, such as eating too much or not enough
• Experiencing increased irritability 
• Experiencing insomnia
• Having difficulty focusing and concentrating 
• Having suicidal thoughts
• Contemplating or performing self-harm
• Having angry outbursts
• Showing disinterest in activities they usually enjoy 

There isn't only one type of depression. Many people may be surprised to learn multiple types exist. In addition to clinical depression, other types include:

• Persistent depressive disorder
• Treatment-resistant depression
• Seasonal affective disorder
• Postpartum depression
• Prenatal depression
• Atypical depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Depression is typically treated with talk therapy and medication. One-on-one sessions can be highly beneficial, but complementary options can also help, such as going to support groups. Many people with depression may find it useful to engage in more than one type of therapy, especially if it helps them cope with the symptoms and open up more about their disorder and what's going on in their lives. 

Before depression is appropriately treated, it needs an official professional diagnosis. This is the best way for an individual to get a comprehensive treatment plan with the highest chances of success. A mental health professional starts with an evaluation, asking the individual how they've been feeling, what they've been thinking and how they've been behaving that could lead them to believe they may have depression. 

Once they discuss the person's mental health history and current physical and emotional state, the mental health professional starts to establish the beginning stages of the depression treatment. There may need to be adjustments along the way that could serve the patient better, such as increasing the number of therapy sessions they have in a week, increasing or decreasing the medication dosage, trying a different form of therapy or trying a different type of medication. Patients must be honest when discussing their thoughts, behaviors and feelings with the provider, so a comprehensive combination of solutions can be arranged, with adjustments made to best benefit the patient.