Depression
Are you or a loved one struggling with feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or a lack of interest in activities that once brought joy? You're not alone. At New Directions Psychiatry PLLC, we understand the impact that depression can have on your daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. As a psychiatrist, Dr. Whitney Gilley has extensive professional training and experience in working with patients with depression. She is dedicated to providing compassionate, person-centered care and individualized treatment options.
What is Depression?
Depression is common and affects approximately 280 million people worldwide. It goes beyond just feeling sad or experiencing temporary low moods. Depression is a persistent and pervasive disorder that can interfere with your ability to function and enjoy life. It can affect individuals regardless of age, gender, or background. Depression is a symptom of a variety of conditions, each with specific treatment considerations.
It is estimated 1 in 5 adults experience Major Depressive Disorder in their lifetime.
Symptoms of Depression
Recognizing the symptoms of depression is crucial for seeking appropriate treatment. If you or someone you know is experiencing several of the following symptoms, it may be an indication of depression:
Persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed or feeling unable to experience joy or pleasure as before
Significant changes in appetite and weight
Sleep changes such as insomnia or excessive sleep
Fatigue or loss of energy
Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things
Restlessness or irritability
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
It's important to remember that depression symptoms can vary from person to person, and not everyone experiences them in the same way. If you think you may be depressed, don’t wait to schedule an appointment with a doctor. A professional evaluation by a psychiatrist can help clarify the cause of your symptoms and identify treatment options. Treating depression is crucial not only for quality of life, but for your overall health. See Why Talk to your Doctor About Feeling Blue?
When to get emergency help:
If you think you may hurt yourself or act on suicidal thoughts, get help immediately by calling 911 or your local emergency or crisis number.
If you are concerned someone else is in danger of suicide or has made a suicide attempt, do not leave the person alone without someone to stay with them. Call 911 or local emergency services immediately or take the person to the nearest hospital emergency department if you can do so safely.
You can get help for suicidal thoughts or information to help a loved one in crisis by calling the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which is free and available 24/7. Website: Talk To Someone Now : Lifeline (988lifeline.org)
Other resources, including state-specific resources for Kentucky and Tennessee and National hotlines for a variety of mental concerns can be found here: Resources Page.
Treatment Options for Depression
Counseling and Therapy
Talk therapy can help with understanding and managing depressive thoughts and feelings. Dr. Gilley offers Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), trauma focused therapies, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, and integrative therapies and counseling for depression treatment, with or without antidepressants.
Medication
For certain patients, antidepressant medication may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms and facilitate progress in therapy. Getting the right medicine for depression is critical. Dr. Gilley has specialist-level expertise in medication and will discuss with you in detail your options. How long a medication is taken depends on your symptoms and any prior episodes of depressed mood.
Holistic Approaches
Combined with therapy, activities to help boost mood, nutrition that supports our body in healing, and quality sleep are important in depression treatment. Practicing stress reduction and relaxation techniques can significantly impact your mood and overall wellbeing. By approaching your care from a whole-person perspective, Dr. Gilley believes that treatment can be optimized to fit your individual needs and goals.
Other Interventions
Occasionally, other options may be discussed as part of your treatment plan. Even though interventional treatments such as IV ketamine, intranasal esketamine (Spravato®), and TMS are not offered by New Directions Psychiatry, Dr. Gilley is comfortable discussing whether these would be a beneficial part of your depression treatment. Understand all of your depression treatment options.
Why Choose New Directions Psychiatry PLLC for Depression Treatment?
Expertise:
Dr. Gilley is a medical doctor Board Certified in Psychiatry. Specialists in psychiatry have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating depression. Dr. Gilley is trained in both formal talk therapy and medication treatment options for depression. She stays up-to-date with the latest research and treatment modalities.
Individualized Care:
We understand that each person's experience with depression is unique. Dr. Gilley takes a personalized approach to your care and tailors treatment around your specific needs and goals. Because she offers both therapy and medication options, and stays up-to-date on other interventions for depression such IV ketamine/esketamine and TMS, she understands the full range of treatment options. This allows you to discuss different options and help you decide on the best treatment for you.
Trauma-informed Care:
Beginning with the critical understanding that any patient that comes to us for care may have a history of trauma, New Directions Psychiatry PPC cultivates a safe, healing environment. Dr. Gilley collaborates with you throughout the course the course of your care. She is responsive to patient concerns and adapts treatment to fit your individual needs.
Care That Empowers Patients:
Dr. Gilley believes in empowering patients with education about their condition and treatment options. She provides counseling about depression, which evidence-based therapies are most often used for the treatment of depression, and medication options. She counsels patients on the risks and benefits of treatment(s), so that patients can make informed decisions about their care. Dr. Gilley involves you in every treatment decision.
A Whole-Person Approach:
Dr. Gilley believes in the power of a multi-faceted approach to depression treatment to help patients achieve long-term well-being. She considers individual factors that can include non-psychiatric health conditions and medications, nutrition, daily activities, family history or genetics, and prior treatment effects and experiences. To gain a greater sense of who you are as a person, Dr. Gilley makes it a priority to understand your needs, stressors, supports, goals, and values.
More Time with your Doctor:
It requires time to provide quality care for depression. Visits are never scheduled for less than 30 minutes. Initial appointments are typically around 90 minutes—all directly with your doctor. As a psychotherapy-oriented practice, most therapy sessions are 50 minutes and weekly therapy is an option. When you call, Dr. Gilley is the one to return your phone call.
Compassionate Support:
Dr. Gilley is committed to providing a supportive, non-judgmental environment where you can feel safe discussing your concerns and receiving the care you deserve. She is available for concerns and returns patient calls herself.
Convenient:
New Directions Psychiatry PLLC offers flexible appointment scheduling including Saturday therapy options. You don’t have to leave your home or office to receive physician specialty care for depression.
Confidential:
New Directions Psychiatry PLLC is a small, private psychiatry practice. It is not part of any large medical group, community health system, or hospital system. Visits are strictly confidential to ensure your comfort and privacy. New Directions Psychiatry PLLC does not hire billers, coders, schedulers, or administrative staff. Your physician takes care of these duties. Because this practice does not bill insurance, you can have more control over your personal information. See Why don't you take insurance?
Don't let depression hold you back from living a fulfilling life. Dr. Gilley is here to support you in your journey toward healing. Take the first step by scheduling an appointment today.
References and Resources
World Health Organization. Fact Sheets: Depression. (2023) https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression Accessed 6.16.23.
Hasin DS, Sarvet AL, Meyers JL, et al. Epidemiology of Adult DSM-5 Major Depressive Disorder and Its Specifiers in the United States. JAMA Psychiatry. 2018;75(4):336–346. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.4602 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29450462/ Accessed 6.16.23
National Institute of Mental Health. (2020). Depression. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression Accessed 6.16.23
Mayo Clinic. (2021). Depression (major depressive disorder). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.
The Mental Health Resource Page includes a list of state resources in Kentucky and Tennessee, and a list of national hotlines related to mental health and wellbeing.
Whitney Gilley, MD. Articles on Depression: