Depression

Do you often feel sad, hopeless, or inexplicably sluggish? At Godwin Psychiatry in Goldsboro, North Carolina, board-certified psychiatrist and board-eligible internal medicine specialist Meredith Godwin, MD, understands the all-consuming effect that depression has on your mental and physical health. That’s why she offers evidence-based care and innovative therapies like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to treat depression. Call today  to learn more.

What is depression?

Depression is a serious mental health disorder that interferes with your thoughts, behaviors, and actions. It can make you feel hopeless, unmotivated, and disconnected from the world around you.

While depression is one of the most common mental health conditions worldwide, it can be challenging to diagnose. Subtle symptoms may go unnoticed or be dismissed. A professional evaluation at Godwin Psychiatry is essential for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.

What are the signs of depression?

Depression can cause many physical, emotional, and mental symptoms, such as:

• Sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities 
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Fatigue or loss of energy, even after resting
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
• Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things
• Irritability or restlessness
• Headaches, digestive issues, or chronic pain without a clear cause
• Morbid thoughts or suicide attempts
• Social withdrawal or isolation
• Persistent anxiety or agitation

Everyone experiences depression differently. Sudden changes in mood or behavior warrant a comprehensive mental health evaluation at Godwin Psychiatry.

Who is at risk of depression?

Anybody can get depression. According to the World Health Organization, more than 280 million people experience it at some point. Some common risk factors for depression include:

• Personal history of trauma or stressful life events
• Chronic medical conditions or illnesses
• Substance abuse or addiction
• Family history of depression or other mental health disorders
• Certain medications or treatments
• Neurological conditions or brain injury
• Hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy or menopause
• Social isolation or lack of social support
• Financial difficulties or socioeconomic stressors
• Major life changes, such as job loss, divorce, or loss of a loved one

Your Goodwin Psychiatry provider considers your risk factors before making a depression diagnosis.

What are the most effective treatments for depression?

Godwin Psychiatry takes a dynamic approach to depression treatment that may include medication management, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments. The practice also specializes in NeuroStar® transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy. 

TMS for depression is a safe, effective, non-medication depression treatment that uses focused magnetic pulses, similar in strength to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 

These pulses revitalize connections in an area of the brain involved in regulating your mood. Reawakening these connections can dramatically improve the symptoms of treatment-resistant depression.

Call Godwin Psychiatry today to schedule a depression consultation.