Depression

Depression can drain your motivation, dull your enjoyment, and make even simple routines overwhelming. Nexa Psychiatry & Wellness in Austin, Texas, led by Emma Smith, APRN, PMHNP-BC, and Chad Johnson, APRN, PMHNP-BC, provides compassionate, evidence-based care that focuses on improving your symptoms. The team provides comprehensive evaluations, personalized medication management, and support planning to help you feel more like yourself again. Take the first step toward relief if depression’s lingering, and schedule an appointment by phone or online at Nexa Psychiatry & Wellness.

What is depression?

Depression is far more than feeling sad for a day or two; it’s a psychiatric disorder that affects how you think, feel, and function for weeks, months, or even years. You may feel so sad or fatigued that even small tasks start to feel hard.

Depression can manifest in various ways. You might lose interest in things you usually enjoy, feel tired all the time, or struggle to concentrate. You may sleep too much or too little.

Instead of being sad, some people feel irritable. You may also feel guilty, hopeless, or like you don’t matter. If these symptoms last two weeks or longer, it’s time to take them seriously.

Can depression look like something else?

Several mental health conditions share similarities with or overlap with depression, including anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and grief.

Bipolar disorder also includes depressive episodes, so if you notice periods of unusually high energy, less need for sleep, impulsive decisions, or feeling wired, tell your Nexa Psychiatry & Wellness provider so they can screen for bipolar symptoms.

What causes depression?

Depression has multiple possible risk factors and rarely starts from a single cause. The following can all contribute:

• Genetics
• Brain chemistry
• Hormones
• Stress
• Sleep
• Medical conditions
• Life events

Trauma can also change how your brain and body respond to stress, which may make depression more likely. Having depression doesn’t mean you’re weak — it’s no different than a physical problem like a broken leg that requires the appropriate treatment.

How is depression evaluated?

Nexa Psychiatry & Wellness provides thorough psychiatric assessments for people with symptoms of depression.

Your provider asks about your symptoms, how long they’ve lasted, and how they affect your daily life. They also review sleep, energy, appetite, focus, and substance use, and screen for other disorders.

What treatments can help with depression?

Treatment for depression often includes medication management and talk therapy. Medication can help lift your mood and reduce constant negative thoughts. Talk therapy helps you build coping skills and work through harsh self-talk.

Your provider can also help you work on basics like sleep routines, movement, and healthy structure. Spravato esketamine nasal spray is available for patients with treatment-resistant depression.

Nexa Psychiatry & Wellness offers convenient telepsychiatry appointments, making it easier to keep track when motivation feels low. Call the office today or book an appointment online for compassionate help with your depression.