Depression

Ongoing sadness isn’t just a minor inconvenience, as depression is a mental health challenge that can cause worrisome complications when left untreated. At My Wellness Psychiatry in Deerfield Beach, Florida, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Diana Perez-Nunez, MSN, AAPRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C, offers holistic depression treatments to help you experience a more fulfilling life. Call the office to schedule a consultation or use the online booking tool today.

We are a Spanish speaking mental health facility. Please call us to book your appointment today.

What is depression?

Nearly everyone experiences sadness now and then, but ongoing or extreme sadness is a sign of depression. If you can’t get rid of sad feelings on your own, Diana is here for you. She takes a holistic approach to depression treatment, focusing on diet, exercise, and other healthy habits.

What are the common symptoms of depression?

Some of the most common depression symptoms include:

• Sadness
• Loss of hope
• Feeling worthless
• Guilt or shame
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Difficulty sleeping
• Anxiety
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Loss of interest in favorite activities 
• Substance misuse

Your symptoms might be minor and go away over time or become severe and crippling without the proper treatment. See Diana at the first sign of a mental health challenge.

What are the risk factors for depression?

The most common depression risk factors include:

• Traumatic life events
• Family history of depression
• Financial struggles
• Divorce
• Loss of a loved one
• Certain personality traits
• Bullying
• Having few or no friends

Many times the reason for depression isn’t known, as the exact cause of many mental health challenges isn’t entirely clear.

How does my provider diagnose depression?

Diana completes a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to find out if you have depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or another mental health issue. She asks detailed questions about your thoughts, mood, emotions, and behaviors, as well as your current medication regimen and medical history. 

She also discusses your lifestyle habits before tailoring a treatment to your personalized needs. My Wellness Psychiatry offers GeneSight® genetic testing to determine which medicines are likely best for your genetic makeup.

What are the standard treatments for depression?

The standard depression treatments include lifestyle changes, medications, and psychotherapy. Diana offers recommendations for a nutritious diet, healthy exercise habits, and stress reduction. She also treats insomnia associated with stress, anxiety, or depression.

You might take medications and undergo psychotherapy (talk therapy), which teaches you behavioral and thought-pattern changes to help overcome depression symptoms. Diana follows up with you to make sure your treatment plan works effectively and makes changes to your treatment plan when necessary.

To get screened and treated for depression, call My Wellness Psychiatry or use the online booking tool today.