Depression Treatment in New York City

Mental Health Professionals in Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx

Comprehensive Counseling is a multi-site group of independently licensed mental health professionals with offices in Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx. For nearly 50 years, Comprehensive has been a trusted mental health resource in communities in and around New York City.

Comprehensive Counseling also provides a wide range of telepsychiatry services for various mental disorders and conditions. Using their expertise and many years of training, our licensed therapists will work with patients to find treatment methods that work best for them and their unique situations.

Depression is a common mood disorder that can cause serious symptoms in many individuals. These symptoms often make daily activities a difficult struggle and require proper diagnosis and treatment from specialized mental health professionals like the ones affiliated with Comprehensive Counseling LCSW. If you’re struggling with depression or depression-like symptoms in the NYC area, contact Comprehensive Counseling LCSW today to schedule an appointment. Give us a call at or (718) 830-0246.

Common Symptoms of Depression

Many people generalize depression to be a lingering feeling of sadness, but depression can include many specific symptoms, such as:

• Fixating on life problems or past failures
• Increased irritability
• Feelings of guilt
• Sudden anger
• Slowed speech and/or body movements
• Changes in appetite
• Physical discomforts like back pain or recurring headaches

Not every individual will experience symptoms of depression in the same way. These unique variances may include several of the symptoms listed above, which may range in severity from one person to another. In order to be officially diagnosed with depression, an individual must experience symptoms consecutively for at least two weeks.

The Different Types of Depression

Depression can be characterized in several unique ways, including five primary forms of this disorder.

Postpartum Depression

Many women experience mild depressive symptoms in the first few weeks after delivering a child, but postpartum depression is a more serious form of this common “baby blues.” Women with postpartum depression may experience symptoms of extreme sadness, fatigue, and anxiety while pregnant or soon after giving birth.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

Formerly known as dysthymia, persistent depressive disorder is a mood disorder that lasts for a period of two years or more. During this length of time, individuals with persistent depressive disorder are likely to experience varying intensities in their symptoms, leading them to battle severe depression at some moments, and mild symptoms at others.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

This particular subtype of depression causes depressive symptoms to frequently occur during the winter months when less sunlight is available during the day. Symptoms typically subside or lessen as the months progress into spring and summer seasons, but are likely to return once winter approaches.

Causes and Risk Factors for Depression

There is no exact cause of depression, and this mood disorder may arise at any age. Most often, depression is first diagnosed in early adulthood, and may be influenced by the following factors:

• Family history of depression
• Major trauma or personal stress
• Side effects of a medication
• Related medical problems or serious illness

Approach to Treating Depression

Just as symptoms can vary significantly in different people with depression, so too can treatment options be recommended. Prescribed medications often provide relief, and may also be implemented in conjunction with psychotherapy.

In order to determine what course of treatment is best for an individual, they must personally discuss their symptoms with a mental health professional. Recommendations from your mental health professional may also change later on if initial solutions begin to lose their effectiveness, or if the individual experiences sudden bouts of more severe symptoms. Fortunately, even these more drastic cases can be managed using professional care.

Treating Depression with an Online Mental Health Professional

Teletherapy has become increasingly popular in recent years thanks to many impressive advancements in technology. This relatively new form of healthcare provides patients with an incredible amount of ease and convenience as they work with a professional to address any ongoing concerns about their mental health.