If you feel sad, hopeless, or overwhelmed with life, you’re not alone: Depression is at an all-time high. At his private practice in Park Slope in Brooklyn, New York, and also serving the Westwood, Brentwood, and Beverly Hills areas in Los Angeles, California, patient-focused psychiatrist Jacob Leivent, MD, uses a whole-person wellness approach that gives you the resources you need to overcome and thrive. Dr. Leivent provides medication management and psychotherapy through telehealth and by phone, and he offers a concierge-like level of accessibility so you can feel confident during treatment. Call the office or book your consultation online.

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How can I separate depression from ordinary sadness?

Sadness is normal sometimes. You might feel sad when you miss out on a favorite activity, when you fight with a loved one, or even when you’re sick or don’t like the weather. Of course, it’s also normal to feel a deep sadness when you lose someone or something you love.

The main way to tell sadness from depression is that ordinary sadness usually comes and goes. It tends to improve quickly, although it may return later based on what’s going on in your life.

Depression feels heavier, and the sadness is accompanied by other negative feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Some signs that you might have depression are:

  • Lack of motivation
  • Feeling hopeless
  • Lack of interest in hobbies or other activities
  • Avoiding social situations
  • Difficulty connecting with other people
  • Appetite changes
  • Feeling worthless
  • Feeling guilty
  • Low energy
  • Poor concentration

People with depression may also think about death a lot. Sometimes, those thoughts may extend to suicide.

Why can’t I snap out of depression?

You can’t just decide to brush depression off or force yourself into being cheerful, because depression is a biologically based mental illness that starts in your brain.

Depression is not your fault, and you didn’t choose it,  but you can choose to get help and take control of your mental health.

Do I need medication for depression?

Medication is often very helpful for depression. Antidepressants — the drugs most commonly used for depression treatment — increase the amount of certain brain chemicals that regulate your mood and emotions.

Experts now know that people with depression show low brain volume in their hippocampus, the part of the brain that helps regulate mood. Stress may cause brain connections there to die, which can then contribute to depression.

Along with increasing brain neurotransmitters, antidepressants are also believed to help your brain grow new connections.

Medication can effectively correct the biological problems that lead to depression and lighten your mood, but it works best when you also work on the psychological aspect of depression. Psychotherapy helps you understand your depression better, learn new coping strategies, and build the life you desire.

Dr. Leivent provides telehealth medication management and psychotherapy, so you don’t have to leave your home for the best psychiatric care. You have a direct method of contacting him when you need to.

Call Jacob Leivent, MD, or click the online scheduler for depression help today.