Depression & Anxiety

Depression and anxiety often go hand-in-hand. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, fifty percent of all people who have debilitating depression also experience chronic anxiety – if left untreated. Both conditions can be linked to genetics, and both can be triggered by situational factors. If you are having trouble coping, find typical tasks daunting, and/or have very low energy, you could clinically depressed. If you find yourself worrying excessively, or are having consistent irrational thoughts and/or are experiencing ongoing sudden physical responses such as a rapid heartbeat, tightness in your chest, sweating and/or trouble breathing, you could have anxiety – which often precedes depression. Fortunately, there are  many effective medications available that can help manage these conditions. We know it can be difficult for patients to share that they are experiencing symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. Our compassionate approach to care is based on treating the whole person, While medications are effective, they don’t work immediately – so it’s important to work with a caring physician who listens and understands your needs, and who can not only prescribe the correct medication, but will also provide other recommendations that can help ease the symptoms while we wait for the medications to take effect. Please contact us at (818) 464-4870 to set up an appointment.