Major depressive disorder involves a persistent low mood or loss of interest that lasts at least two weeks and interferes with daily functioning. The National Institute of Mental Health describes it as one of the most common mental health conditions and one of the most treatable.
Treatment usually pairs therapy with medication management where it is clinically appropriate. Cognitive behavioral therapy works on the thought patterns that keep depression self-sustaining. Individual therapy goes into the history underneath it, and group therapy interrupts the isolation that depression depends on.
Where trauma is part of the picture, trauma therapy is available, and holistic therapies support the physical side of recovery that depression erodes first.
Alcohol is a depressant, which makes it one of the worst available answers to depression and one of the most commonly reached for. Our post on why drinking makes depression worse covers the mechanism, and depression among LGBTQ+ people looks at the community-specific picture.
When both are present, our dual diagnosis program treats them together rather than in sequence.
Yes. We admit and treat clients whose primary concern is mental health.
No. Medication is one option, discussed with your prescriber, and the choice is yours.
It varies. Many people notice change within weeks, and your team will be straight with you about what to expect.
That is common, and it often reflects fit rather than failure. Affirming care makes a material difference for many LGBTQ+ clients.
Yes. They frequently occur together and are treated together.
Depression is treatable, including the version of it that has been there so long it feels like personality.
We offer LGBTQ+ affirming mental health care in Los Angeles and Chicago.
