Depression

Depression destabilizes your life, disrupting your mood, energy levels, ability to sleep, concentration, relationships, and everyday life. Julie Smith, PMHNP, and the team at Royal River Psychiatric Care in Yarmouth, Maine, provide personalized depression care. Treatment may include a psychiatric evaluation, medication management, counseling, and ongoing monitoring based on each patient’s needs. Call Royal River Psychiatric Care to schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment or use the online booking feature to request a depression assessment today.

What are the signs of depression?

Depression involves more than feeling sad for a few days. Symptoms can continue for weeks or longer and may interfere with work, relationships, self-care, and activities you once enjoyed.

Common symptoms include:

• Persistent sadness and emptiness
• Loss of interest or pleasure
• Low energy and chronic fatigue
• Sleep problems
• Changes in appetite and weight
• Irritability and restlessness
• Poor concentration
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• Thoughts of death or suicide

No one experiences depression in the same way. Some people mainly notice physical symptoms, low motivation, or difficulty concentrating rather than obvious sadness.

The Royal River Psychiatric Care team completes a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to assess your symptoms, medical history, medications, substance use, stress, sleep, and other factors that contribute to depression.

What does a depression diagnosis involve?

Depression can sometimes resemble or occur alongside other mental health conditions, including:

• Anxiety
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Addiction/substance use disorder

A detailed diagnostic assessment helps identify whether depression is the primary concern or part of a more complex condition. As part of a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, your provider also assesses how long symptoms have lasted, how severe they are, and how much they affect your daily functioning.

If you report suicidal thoughts or self-harm concerns, your provider can complete a risk assessment to determine the safest next step.

How is depression treated?

Treatment depends on the severity and pattern of symptoms, previous treatment, physical health, and personal preferences.

For some patients, antidepressant medication plays an important role in stabilizing mood. Counseling approaches, such as individual psychotherapy, help you understand patterns that affect your mood, develop coping strategies, manage stress, and work toward realistic goals.

Lifestyle support may include improving sleep, activity levels, nutrition, routines, and social connections.

Why is follow-up important for depression?

Depression can change over time, so treatment may need adjustment. Regular follow-up appointments allow your provider to:

• Track symptoms
• Review medication effectiveness
• Monitor side effects
• Make changes when needed

Patients with long-term/recurring depression benefit from ongoing care to maintain progress and identify early signs of relapse.

Royal River Psychiatric Care can also coordinate with therapists, primary care physicians, specialists, or family members with your consent. Telepsychiatry appointments offer a convenient way to stay connected with care.

If depression is making daily life harder, contact Royal River Psychiatric Care to arrange an evaluation and discuss personalized treatment. Call the office or request an appointment online today.