Depression

Depression Services Offered in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, CA

Depression services offered in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, CA

If you feel sad most of the time or can no longer find pleasure in activities you normally enjoy, see board-certified psychiatrist Joseph Gulino, M.D. At Beverly Hills Psychiatry in Beverly Hills, California, he diagnoses and treats depression to improve your mood and quality of life. Call his office to schedule an appointment or book one online today.

Depression Q&A

What is depression?

Depression is a common mental health challenge affecting about 1 in 5 adults. Kids and teenagers often struggle with depression too. You might be depressed because of life circumstances, genetics, or unknown reasons. Treatment with Dr. Gulino offers you the quality of life you deserve.

What are the symptoms of depression?

The common symptoms of depression include:

Loss of interest in favorite activities
Ongoing or extreme sadness
Feeling hopeless, guilty, or worthless
Withdrawal from family and friends
Weight loss or weight gain
Appetite changes
Sleeping too much or too little
Irritability
Wishing you were dead or thoughts of harming yourself
Substance abuse

Sadness may come and go, depending on life’s situations, but depression persists for at least several weeks. It can negatively affect your relationships, job performance, or grades at school. If you are struggling with depression, see Dr. Gulino for an evaluation.

What are the common causes of depression?

While anyone can develop depression, common causes and risk factors include:

Traumatic life events, especially in childhood
Severe or ongoing stress
Genetics
Drug or alcohol abuse
Some medications such as oral contraceptives
Having a chronic disease
Neuroticism
Having a personality disorder
Obesity
Unhealthy lifestyle habits

You might feel depressed because of a job loss, divorce, terminal illness, death in the family, or another traumatic life event.

How does my doctor diagnose depression?

To find out if you have depression, Dr. Gulino reviews your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle habits during a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. To do so, he asks questions about your mood, thoughts, and behavior patterns. He may ask your primary care physician to perform a physical exam and he may order certain labs to search for other causes for your symptoms. Dr. Gulino then tailors a depression treatment based on your personalized needs.

How is depression treated?

To treat depression, Dr. Gulino may recommend:

Lifestyle changes

Things you can do on your own to reduce depression symptoms include eating nutritious foods, avoiding tobacco, drugs, and alcohol, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and reducing stressors.