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BayCare offers several convenient health care services that help get care you need to get back to feeling better.
Depression Services
Depression is the most common mood disorder, affecting approximately one in five adults in the United States. Symptoms typically last at least two weeks and can affect the way a person thinks, feels and acts. People of any age, race or ethnic background can experience depression. It doesn’t matter how much money you have or where you live. Some people may only have a depressive episode once in their life, while others will experience depression multiple times throughout their life. Without treatment, these episodes can span months or years. In some cases, a person with depression or other mood disorders may use alcohol, prescription or illegal drugs, to self-medicate to cope with depression, anxiety or other mental health disorders.
If you are in a crisis situation and need immediate help, please call 988.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of depression can be different for each person. Not everyone with depression will experience all these symptoms or experience them in the same way. Generally, symptoms of depression will last at least two weeks. While the number of symptoms and severity are different for each person, some of the more common signs and symptoms of depression include:
- Trouble concentrating
- Little or no interest in normal activities
- Feeling sluggish, tired or lacking energy
- Restlessness, feeling agitated and unable to settle down
- Changes in sleep, either trouble sleeping or sleeping a lot
- Changes in eating, either no interest in food or eating too much
- Feeling hopeless or having thoughts of guilt
- Physical aches and pains
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
BayCare Depression Services in Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk Counties
BayCare Behavioral Health provides treatment options for all types of depression and mood disorders including major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), seasonal affective disorder (SAD), post-partum depression, bipolar disorder and more. BayCare offers a variety of resources and specialized services throughout the West Central Florida area, so you and your loved ones can get help when you need it.
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Psychotherapy
During psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, a person speaks with a trained therapist in a safe and confidential environment to explore and understand feelings and behaviors and gain coping skills. Studies have found that individual psychotherapy improves symptoms in many mental illnesses, making it a popular and versatile treatment. It can also be used with families, couples or groups. The best practice for treating many mental health conditions includes a combination of medication and therapy. Our therapists use a wide variety of therapeutic methods including, but not limited to:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Family-focused Therapy
- Interpersonal Therapy
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy
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MedicationsPsychiatric medication services include psychiatric evaluations and medication management appointments with board-certified psychiatrists and nurse practitioners. Psychiatric medications, including antidepressants, mood stabilizers and antipsychotics, influence the brain chemicals that regulate emotions and thought patterns. They’re usually more effective when combined with psychotherapy. In some cases, medications can reduce symptoms so that other methods in the treatment plan can be more effective.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy
TMS is a clinically proven, FDA-cleared treatment for people ages 15 and older with major depression who have not seen improvement from antidepressant medication. This safe, non-invasive treatment uses MRI-strength magnetic pulses to stimulate brain cells. Typical treatment consists of 20- to 30-minute daily sessions, Monday-Friday, for a total of 36 sessions. Patients remain awake and alert and many resumes normal activities immediately following a session. Over 60% of BayCare patients have seen significant relief from depression after the first six weeks of treatment. Contact our TMS coordinator to learn more:
In Tampa: (813) 898-8842
In Clearwater: (727) 462-3088
TMS therapy is available at the following locations:
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Esketamine Treatment Program
When combined with oral antidepressants, esketamine is an innovative option that provides relief for treatment-resistant depression and major depression with suicidal ideation. This FDA-approved nasal spray is administered under medical supervision, with each outpatient session lasting about two hours, including post-treatment observation. Patients need transportation home as post-treatment driving is prohibited. For more information, call (866) 762-1743.