Depression

Depression Treatment, Baltimore

Depression is a problem for many people in the Baltimore area today, but it can be managed if patients reach out for professional help. Neal Ranen, M.D., psychiatry, and psychotherapy specialist in the Baltimore area, is here to listen to his patients and to guide them toward a happier and emotionally healthier future.

Depression Q & A

Why Does Depression Occur?

Depression can happen for many reasons. Usually, it’s not the result of any single thing. In some cases, family history of depression plays a role. Depression may also start after a painful life event, or after a series of difficult issues.

Depression is a complex disease that can’t be explained easily. The best way to get to the root of depression is to work with an experienced psychiatrist and psychotherapist like Dr. Ranen. Depression is a condition that can be managed effectively with appropriate treatment.

What are the Signs of Depression?

Depression can be different for each patient, but some of the most common signs include:

Feeling sad or down in the dumps
Loss of energy, feeling sluggish, feeling run-down
Loss of interest in favorite activities
Avoiding social activities
Spending increased time alone
Sleeping more or less than normal
Irritability, agitation, or having a low frustration tolerance
Feeling down about yourself, loss of confidence, or self-blame
Trouble concentrating or indecisiveness
Not being able to get things done or low motivation
Lack of sex drive
Crying spells
Dwelling on worries
Negative thinking and pessimism
Not all of these signs are necessary to have depression. Sometimes people actually don’t have a sad mood as the main feature but have a number of the other signs.

Who is Likely to Suffer from Depression?

Patients of any age, sex, and background can suffer from depression, but certain groups may be more likely to be depressed, including:

Women, who are more likely to deal with depression than men
New moms, who have a higher risk for depression (postpartum depression)
Seniors, who may be more likely to experience depression as they age
Teens, along with many people experiencing hormonal changes, who are more likely to be depressed

How is Depression Treated?

Dr. Ranen customizes depression treatment for each of his patients. For many people, a combination approach works best. He has access to a range of effective treatment protocols that can help patients deal with their depression. This can include the judicious use of medication combined with therapy approaches. Treatment may include helping the patient discover the root cause of depression, and then teaching patients the tools that they need to cope in a healthy way. Negative coping mechanisms can be turned into new, healthy ones.

As a psychiatrist, Dr. Ranen is a medical doctor who can prescribe the medication needed to help patients cope with their depression effectively.

Please see more about medication management and Psychotherapy under the “Psychiatric Services” tab.