Millions of people suffer from depression, a surprisingly common mental health disorder that can wreak havoc on both their emotional health and physical wellness. While the symptoms of depression can be pervasive and difficult to manage on your own, some treatments can help — as long as you know where to look.
At Harbor Community Health Centers, our team offers comprehensive behavioral health assessments and treatments, including medication and psychotherapy services focused on helping patients control symptoms and feel better about themselves and their lives. Learn how we can help you.
Depression is a serious health condition that causes pervasive and persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, low self-esteem, and even self-hatred and worthlessness. Many people with depression have difficulty handling the demands of day-to-day life, along with problems sleeping and a lack of interest in normally enjoyable activities.
Depression affects your brain chemistry, specifically chemicals called neurotransmitters that regulate mood. Genetics, environmental factors, life stressors, and even chronic illness can play roles, too.
While well-meaning loved ones may tell you to “focus on the positive,” overcoming depression isn’t about having a more positive attitude. It's a real disease with physical manifestations that requires a medical solution to overcome. For most people, treatment involves a combination of medication and psychotherapy, and the sooner treatment begins, the faster you can begin to feel better.
Depression affects people in different ways, and managing it requires a personalized approach, too. Our team offers truly custom treatment for depression and its symptoms, beginning with a behavioral assessment to evaluate your symptoms and their impact on your life, along with other factors that could be affecting your moods and your mental and physical health.
Following your evaluation, we can recommend a management plan tailored to your needs. For most people, that includes psychotherapy to understand emotional responses and triggers that could be making their symptoms worse. Therapy also helps you shut down the negative thoughts that drive depression and anxiety while instilling more positive thoughts and behaviors.
Many patients benefit from medications to help regulate and stabilize their condition. Lifestyle changes, like improved sleep habits and stress management techniques, can also help. Most people benefit from a multifaceted approach that evolves as their needs and symptoms change over time.
Depression is a chronic illness, and like any chronic condition, it benefits from early intervention and ongoing management. To learn how we can help you find relief for your depression symptoms, call 310-547-0202 to schedule an appointment with the Harbor Community Health Centers team at one of our two locations in San Pedro, California, today.
