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Depression

ADULT AND CHILD PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONERS IN KING OF PRUSSIA, PA

Depression services offered in King of Prussia and Blue Bell , PA and Mount Laurel, NJ


Depression affects nearly 7% of adults, and 64% have a tough time taking care of daily responsibilities due to depression. The group of licensed practitioners, including Nina Patel, CRNP, PMHNP-BC, and Vince Di Antonio, CRNP, PMHNP-BC at Alpine Psychiatry, have years of experience treating depression. They can provide comprehensive medication management, multiple types of effective psychotherapies, and alternative treatments such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant depression. You don’t need to manage depression on your own. Call or text the office in King of Prussia (KOP), Pennsylvania, to schedule an appointment or request one online today.

Depression Q&A

What causes depression?

There are many different causes and types of depression and an ever-growing number of treatment options. Alpine Psychiatry practitioners aim to learn about your depression and recommend research-backed treatment options that fit you best.

Chronic stress and trauma also influence your susceptibility to depression, whether you experience physical abuse, sexual abuse, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Specific events can trigger major depressive disorder. Postpartum depression is a major depressive disorder that develops during pregnancy or after delivery. It’s often severe enough to interfere with caring for your new baby.

What are the symptoms of major depressive disorder?

Major depression is diagnosed when patients have the first two symptoms plus three or more of the others nearly every day for at least two weeks:

  • Depressed mood most of the day, almost every day
  • Diminished interest or pleasure in activities
  • Trouble thinking or concentrating
  • Weight loss, weight gain, or change in appetite
  • Insomnia or hypersomnia
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • Restlessness
  • Fatigue
  • Thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, or a plan to commit suicide

If you or someone you know is at risk for harm or suicide, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.

How is depression treated?

Alpine Psychiatry offers medication management, complex psychopharmacology, and multiple types of therapy proven to treat depression, such as psychotherapy (talk therapy), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and interpersonal therapy. Treatment may include:

 

Medication

All medications have potential side effects, so practitioners are well-versed in many non-pharmacological treatment options for depression. They also work with patients to come off drugs once stable for a period of time.

 

Psychotherapy

Therapy can help you determine why you’re depressed, learn to resolve the issue, replace negative thoughts with positive ones, and improve relationships.

 

Lifestyle evaluation and optimization

Making healthy changes to diet, increasing physical activity, getting restorative sleep, and reducing stress are all critical for improving your recovery and preventing future depression.

 

Recommended Alternative therapies

If you have treatment-resistant depression (TRD), you may be a good candidate for alternative treatments, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

TMS uses short pulses of magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in specific areas of your brain that control mood. The magnetic field boosts neurotransmitter levels, relieving TRD symptoms for many patients.

If nothing else has worked, you might be a good candidate for Esketamine under the brand name Spravato® among others. Esketamine is FDA-approved for use as a nasal spray for those with TRD.

If you need help with depression, call or text Alpine Psychiatry, or request more information online. Telemedicine services are available as well.