New Directions Mental Health is dedicated to supporting your mental health. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, we encourage you to reach out for immediate support through your local crisis services by dialing 988, contacting your local emergency services, or visiting your local emergency room.
Occasional low moods are a natural part of life, but when those feelings linger and interfere with your daily activities, they could signal something more significant. Clinical depression, also called major depressive disorder (MDD), is a common but serious mental health condition. If you or someone you love is struggling, know that you’re not alone, and help is available. New Directions Mental Health provides support for depression through therapy, psychiatric care, and innovative treatments like Spravato® treatment, an FDA-approved option for treatment-resistant depression.
Understanding major depressive disorder
Major depressive disorder is more than feeling sad. It’s a medical condition affecting how you think, feel, and manage daily life. To be diagnosed, symptoms must last at least two weeks and be severe enough to interfere with your ability to function at home, at work, or in social settings.
Common symptoms of clinical depression:
- Feeling sad, hopeless, or empty most of the time
- Loss of interest in hobbies or activities
- Fatigue or low energy
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Feeling worthless or guilty
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Thoughts of death or suicide
What can cause clinical depression?
There’s no single cause of clinical depression. Instead, it often results from a mix of factors:
- Biology: Changes in brain chemistry or hormone levels may play a role
- Genetics: Depression can run in families
- Life events: Stressful situations like job loss, divorce, or trauma can be triggers
- Medical conditions: Some health issues or medications can lead to depressive symptoms
Depression affects everyone differently, making it essential to work with a mental health professional who can help you understand your unique experience and guide you toward feeling better.
Getting help for major depressive disorder
If you’re living with depression, remember that healing is within reach. Treating major depressive disorder often involves a combination of therapy, medication, or specialized interventions for those who haven’t responded to traditional approaches.
Supportive treatments may include:
- Therapy: Working with a trained therapist to explore emotions, challenges, and coping strategies
- Psychiatric medication management: Finding the right medication (and dosage) to ease symptoms
- Spravato® treatment: A fast-acting nasal spray for adults with treatment-resistant depression, used with an antidepressant and administered in-clinic under provider supervision
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy: A non-invasive option that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate parts of the brain involved in mood regulation
At New Directions Mental Health, our team will build a personalized treatment plan just for you, because no two people experience depression in the same way.
Living with clinical depression day to day
Managing clinical depression isn’t just about recognizing symptoms—it’s about finding ways to cope with the challenges it creates in your daily life. MDD can affect your motivation, energy, and even your ability to complete everyday tasks like getting out of bed, eating regularly, or staying connected to loved ones.
These struggles are real, but there are strategies that can help make each day more manageable. Small, consistent routines, supportive relationships, and self-compassion are all part of creating a foundation for healing. If you’re unsure where to start, our New Directions Mental Health team will walk alongside you as you take each step toward recovery.
Call New Directions Mental Health and find depression relief
There is a path forward if you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or hopeless. With the right support, many people living with clinical depression can find relief and reclaim joy in their lives. Whether you’re new to mental health care or looking for new options after trying other treatments, New Directions Mental Health is here to help you manage your mental health. Give us a call today at 724.374.7414 to schedule an appointment.
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