Yet, when skillfully managed, treatment is successful in nearly 90 percent of patients. Depression is debilitating to experience and agonizing for loved ones to watch. Among its most common symptoms are persistent sadness, low energy, sleep disturbances, and an inability to take pleasure in enjoyable activities. Some patients experience periods of normal mood alternating with regular periods of debilitating depression. Other patients swing from despair to energetic enthusiasm and back again.
Anxiety disorders take many forms.
Among the most effective treatments for depression and anxiety disorders are interpersonal psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Interpersonal therapy strives to help the patient cope with stressful relationships and situations that may trigger depressive episodes. Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches more constructive thought patterns to replace thinking habits that magnify feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. Medications, particularly antidepressants, have proved effective for the great majority of patients and often are used in conjunction with psychotherapy. We offer psychoeducational groups for patients and their families, to teach them about mood disorders and offer ongoing support.