Depression Counseling California

Clinical depression is a severe form of depression. Clinical depression is also called Major Depressive Disorder. 

People with Major Depressive Disorder have difficulty in social functions. The symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder are depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, fatigue, sleep problems, feeling worthless or guilty, weight changes, trouble concentrating, restlessness, decreased concentration, and hopelessness (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-5)

Oppression can cause depression. Such oppression includes racism, anti-trans bias (transphobia), anti-gay bias (homophobia), misogyny, anti-fat bias (fatphobia), and ableism.

QTBIPC therapists (queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Color) at Positive Psychology Inc. can help you!

Clinically depressed people may experience depressed mood. Depressed mood is either observed or reported. A depressed mood lasts most of the day and nearly every day.

Clinically depressed people may experience insomnia (too little sleep) or hypersomnia (too much sleep).

Clinically depressed people may feel worthless or excessively guilty. People who are not in a  body that is considered "normal" (e.g., QTBIPOC, fat, disabled) may internalize the harmful bias and feel worthless.

Clinically depressed people may lose or gain excessive amounts of weight (e.g., more than 5% of body weight in a month) or experience decreased or increased appetite.

Clinically depressed people may not be able to focus or think clearly. 

Clinically depressed people may feel restless (psychomotor agitation) or slowed down (psychomotor retardation). 

Clinical Depressed people may experience extreme hopelessness and wish to die.  If you are feeling suicidal, please go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Positive Psychology Inc. therapists specialize in depression treatment. Don't suffer alone 

Clinically depressed children and adolescents may appear irritable, according to DSM-5. Clinically depressed adults can also be irritable or angry. Some people may "mask" or hide their depression and appear cheerful. 

Psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health make the formal diagnosis. PHQ-9 is a screening tool. The scoring and interpretation of PHQ-9 is as follows.  

If your PHQ-9 scores are 5, it may indicate mild depression.

• If your PHQ-9 scores are 10, it may indicate moderate depression.
• If your PHQ-9 scores are 15, it may indicate moderately severe depression.
• If your PHQ-9 scores are 20, it may indicate severe depression.

According to Kroenke, Spitzer, R. L., W Williams, J. B. (2001). 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based therapy for depression (APA, 2017). CBT addresses unhelpful behaviors and distorted thoughts.  Note: Opression is a reality. Acknowledging discrimination is NOT  a distorted thought. Find a counselor who validates your experiences. Positive Psychology Inc. counselor can help! .

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral Therapy treats depression by reinforcing helpful behaviors. Some behaviors are unhelpful and contribute to depression (e.g., staying in bed all d). Behavioral Therapy reinforces positive behaviors (e.g., getting out of bed and exercising) to combat depression.. 

Interpersonal Therapy

Interpersonal Therapy examines relationship patterns and what roles you take to resolve interpersonal conflicts. 

Psychodynamic  Therapy

Psychodynamic Therapy examines early childhood unconscious conflicts.

Medications

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often prescribed to treat Clinical Depression because serotonin may regulate mood. Common antidepressants include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), fluvoxamine (Luvox), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), vilazodone (Viibryd) according to Chu and Wadhwa (2003). 

Researchers debate the efficacy of antidepressants. Antidepressants may have only modest benefits over placebo (Kirsch, 2008). Some researchers suggest that statistical significance does not indicate clinical significance  (Turner & Rosenthal, 2008).

Please discuss medications with your psychiatrist or primary care physician.

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Clinicians may use Electroconvulsive Therapy to treat severe depression (Salik, Marwaha, 2022). Electroconvulsive treats depession by creating seizure in the brain. 

American Psychological Association (2020). Patient Health Questionnaire. https://www.apa.org/depression-guideline/patient-health-questionnaire.pdf retrieved on February 11, 2024.

American Psychological Association (2017). What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral

retrieved on February 11, 2024.

Chu, A.  Wadhwa, P. (2003). Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor.   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554406/

retrieved on February 11, 2024.

Kirsch, I., Deacon, B. J., Huedo-Medina, T. B., Scoboria, A., Moore, T. J., & Johnson, B. T. (2008). Initial severity and antidepressant benefits: a meta-analysis of data submitted to the Food and Drug Administration. PLoS medicine, 5(2), e45. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.0050045

retrieved on February 11, 2024.

Kroenke, K., Spitzer, R. L., & W Williams, J. B. (2001). The PHQ-9: Validity of a Brief Depression Severity Measure. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 16(9), 606-613. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x 

retrieved on February 11, 2024.

Salik,I, Marwaha, R.(2022) Electroconvulsive Therapy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538266/Retrieved on February 11, 2024.

Turner, E. H., & Rosenthal, R. (2008). Efficacy of antidepressants. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 336(7643), 516–517. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39510.531597.80

retrieved on February 11, 2024.

All of us specialize in depression treatment. Don't suffer alone