BOLD Blog, Depression, Mental Health Treatment, San Diego

If you or someone you love is dealing with depression, you aren’t alone – especially in today’s world. According to a recent study performed by Boston University, before the pandemic hit the globe in early 2020, roughly 8.5% of  U.S. adults suffered from symptoms of depression. Today, nearing the end of 2021, that number has risen to an astonishing 32.8%.

That means depression currently affects 1 in 3 U.S. adults. 

And it doesn’t look like the effects of worry, sickness, isolation, and everyday stress are going anywhere anytime soon, whether the pandemic is here or not. 

“So, what do I do about it?”

Well, one thing you don’t want to do is ignore your symptoms of depression. They can take months to years to go away on their own. Getting the help you need, whether that’s through depression counseling, medication management, or a combination, will minimize depression’s negative impact on your life. 

Consequences of delaying depression treatment include:

• Harming relationships with others
• Weight gain
• Negative impact on sleep
• Risky behaviors
• Problems at work or school
• Other serious illnesses

How We Can Help

Depression Treatment Options in San Diego

Determining the best depression treatment option isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Because depression symptoms and causes vary from person to person, the best way to figure out what will work best is by getting an expert opinion. Of course, you can start with your primary care physician, who can recommend you to a mental health professional. 

Here at BOLD Health in San Diego, we offer high-quality expert depression treatment from a team of mental health clinicians. We’ll work with you or your loved one by first conducting a mental health assessment to determine your individual needs. Whether you have an official depression diagnosis or if you’re just feeling down, we’ll guide you in the right direction.

At our warm and welcoming facility in San Diego, we provide three of the most proven depression treatment options, including:

• Individual Psychotherapy
• Medication Management for Depression
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) to treat depression

Your depression therapy program will often include a combination of modalities to help you feel better as quickly as possible. Our dedicated team members can help determine what’s best for you. 

Why Choose BOLD Health

Individual Psychotherapy for Depression Treatment

Psychotherapy is one of the most proven effective treatments for depression. Therapists at BOLD Health use a evidence-based therapy that helps you identify negative thought patterns and behaviors that keep you depressed (and/or anxious) and the triggers for these patterns. The therapists then help you work to change your behaviors and thoughts to get you out of depression.

Together with your depression therapist, like ours here at BOLD Health in San Diego, you’ll work through your negative thought patterns and learn how to replace them with healthier, more constructive ones. You’ll be able to learn and practice new coping methods in the safety of your depression counseling sessions, which you can then begin using outside of treatment.

Related Post: Your Best Options for Treating Depression During Pregnancy

Individual therapy for depression may be a part of your depression treatment on its own, or it may be combined with medication management and enrollment in an IOP.

Medication Management for Depression Treatment

If your depression therapist believes medication would be beneficial as part of your treatment plan, you will get a prescription from a licensed psychiatrist, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. Our team of qualified depression treatment providers at BOLD Health has the experience and knowledge needed to determine the correct medication and dosage to meet your needs. 

There are many types of antidepressants available, but the most common prescriptions used to treat depression are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These include: 

• Citalopram (Celexa)
• Escitalopram (Lexapro)
• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Paroxetine (Paxil)
• Sertraline (Zoloft)

There are also other medications called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) that could be prescribed instead, including:

• Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
• Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• Levomilnacipran (Fetzima)
• Venlafaxine (Effexor)

At BOLD Health, we take your whole self into account when we prescribe you depression medication. We look at your health history and your individual needs to ensure you get the proper treatment. Your progress and reaction, whether positive or negative, are closely monitored and adjusted as needed. We also believe in using as little medication as possible, for as short a time as possible. Our goal is not to start a medication and get you to a specific dose as quickly as possible–we want to work with you to find the lowest effective dose, for as short a time as is needed to help you recover from depression. (We may also use GeneSight testing to help identify the medications most likely to be effective.) 

Related Post: What is a Substance-Induced Mood Disorder?

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for Depression Treatment

While IOPs are most often used to help treat addiction, they are also highly effective in treating depression and anxiety. Because IOPs are more rigorous and involve more of a commitment, they may not be for everyone. But if you or someone you love is battling severe depression, an IOP may be your best option. 

An IOP is similar to inpatient rehabilitation in its intensity, but it is much more affordable, convenient, flexible, and comfortable. Here at BOLD Health, we work with you to determine the best IOP treatment schedule possible, giving you the flexibility and freedom to undergo effective depression therapy while also living your life at home. 

Unlike traditional depression therapy, IOPs often involve individual, group, and family counseling sessions, along with possible medication management. The great thing about BOLD Health is that we can offer all of these depression treatment options to you under one roof here in San Diego. And, once you complete the depression IOP, you can continue to see your depression therapists and medication providers for as long as you want, since we offer outpatient therapy and treatment as well as the San Diego IOP.

Counseling for Depression: How Does it Help?

Don’t Let Depression Define You – Get the Depression Counseling and Treatment You Need at BOLD Health

We know you have many options to choose from when determining the best depression treatment in San Diego. But when you choose our team of mental health professionals, you’ll know you made the right decision from the minute you contact us. 

Our approach to depression treatment is a little bit different. We believe your primary diagnosis is always that of a “human.” In other words, we don’t look at you and see a depressed person. We see you.

Your whole self is taken into account when we work on treating your depression. Your biological, genetic, structural, and medical characteristics make you who you are. So why should your depression therapy be like anyone else’s?