Depression Treatment

More Serious than you might know

Depression affects millions of Americans and is the second leading cause of disability.

affected each year

of all adults in US

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deaths from suicide

patients who can’t take antidepressants

Depression is a serious medical illness affecting more than 16 million American adults every year, 6.7% of all U.S. adults. Often a debilitating disorder, depression results in a persistent state of sadness or loss of interest or pleasure which interferes with an individual’s thoughts, behavior, mood, and physical health. In 2010, the economic burden of depression was estimated at $210 billion in the US and depression was the second leading cause of disability, accounting for almost 20% of all years of life lost to disability and premature death.

While the exact cause of depression is not known, the leading scientific theory is that depression is caused by decreased activity in the neural networks of the brain that regulate emotion and motivation. Increasing levels of neurotransmitters in the brain has been found to reactivate these neural networks, or create new networks. Depression is most often treated with antidepressant medications, but new treatment options are available.

Moving Beyond the First-line

There are more than just antidepressants for treating your depression. Joyful Horizons offers TMS Therapy, a cutting-edge treatment.

Symptoms of Clinical Depression

If you are experiencing four or more of these and feeling a depressed mood for more than a 2-week period, you may want to seek medical help.

Significant weight loss (when not dieting) or weight gain (a change of more than five percent of body weight in a month)
Significant increase or decrease in appetite
Excessive sleepiness or insomnia
Agitation and restlessness

Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive and inappropriate guilt nearly every day
Diminished ability to think, concentrate, or make decisions
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is major depression?

Major depressive disorder is a condition which lasts two or more weeks and interferes with a person’s ability to carry out daily tasks and enjoyed activities that previously brought pleasure. This condition affects approximately 16 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older.

What causes depression?

The exact cause of depression is not known, but leading research in Neuroscience points to an imbalance in the brain’s neurotransmitters as the manifestation of depression. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that send signals between brain cells. A person’s genetic make-up and life history may also determine a person’s tendency to become depressed.

How prevalent is depression?

In 2016 a study conducted by the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality reported that major depressive disorder will affect approximately 16 million American adults (about 6.7% of the US population) in a given year.

Is depression a serious disease?

Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health maintains that, “Depressive illness can often interfere with normal functioning and cause pain and suffering not only to those who have the disorder, but to those who care about them. Serious depression can destroy family life as well as the life of the ill person.” A national study of depression found that nearly all the respondents who reported a major depressive disorder also reported that their social and/or work lives were negatively affected by their illness. In 2010, the economic burden of depression was estimated at $210 billion in the US and depression was the second leading cause of disability, accounting for almost 20% of all years of life lost to disability and premature death. Depression can also be a lethal disease. Each year in the US, over 30,000 people die by suicide, 60% of whom suffer from depression.

Is there a depression cure?

There is no known cure for depression but with effective treatment, many patients can remain symptom free.

Make an Appointment

It’s easy to book an appointment at our clinic. We offer flexible hours so you won’t be stuck on a waitlist!