Depression Treatment Near You in Miramar Beach
Get Depression Treatment That Supports You, In Person or by Telehealth
Depression can change how you sleep, eat, think, and get through the day, and it can last much longer than a few sad days. Some people notice it right away, and others live with it for months before they put a name to it. Everyday tasks can start to feel heavier than they used to, and asking for help can feel hard. Depression is a common medical condition, and it responds to treatment.
At Sea Breeze Psychiatry, Dr. Larry De Lay is board certified in psychiatry through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He sees adults in person at our Miramar Beach office or by telehealth anywhere in Florida. Our team takes a warm, patient-first approach, and we’re accepting new patients. You can look at medicine, talk therapy, or a mix of both, and you’ll have a say in every step.
If you’re ready to talk about how you’ve been feeling, request an appointment with our team.
Depression Symptoms in Adults Near You
Understanding Depression and Your Treatment Options
Common Signs and Types of Depression
Depression often shows up as a low or empty mood, or less interest in things you used to enjoy. It usually lasts most of the day for two weeks or longer. Common depression symptoms in adults include:
- Mood: Feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or irritable on most days.
- Energy and sleep: Feeling tired all the time, or sleeping much more or much less than usual.
- Thinking: Trouble focusing, making choices, or remembering.
- Appetite and body: Eating more or less than usual, or aches with no clear cause.
- Self-worth: Feeling guilty or worthless.
You’re not the only one dealing with this. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), about 8.3% of U.S. adults had at least one major depressive episode in 2021(opens in a new tab). That’s roughly 21 million people.
There are several types of depression. Major depression means symptoms on most days for at least two weeks. Persistent depressive disorder is a longer-lasting form, with symptoms that last two years or more. Depression can also follow the birth of a baby, which our maternal mental health page covers. Bipolar disorder can include it as well, and you can read about that on our mood disorders page.
When to See a Provider
It’s time to see a provider if low mood, loss of interest, or other symptoms last two weeks or longer. The same goes if they get in the way of work, school, or your relationships. Other signs include changes in sleep or appetite that you can’t explain, leaning on alcohol to cope, or thoughts that life isn’t worth living.
You may also want an evaluation if self-care, support from friends, or past treatment hasn’t helped enough. You don’t need to be sure it’s depression before you ask. An evaluation can answer that question, and it can show whether medication might help.
How We Treat Depression
Treatment often includes medicine, talk therapy, or both, and your plan depends on your symptoms, your history, and your goals. Our team offers these options:
- Psychiatric evaluation: A visit to understand your symptoms and history, and to check for related concerns, such as anxiety.
- Medication management: Antidepressants or other medicines when they’re a good fit, adjusted over time.
- Talk therapy: Brief psychotherapy is available on request, along with your medicine.
- Telepsychiatry: Video visits for people who live in Florida, and Dr. De Lay can prescribe medication by telehealth.
Brief psychotherapy can take three forms. Supportive therapy offers encouragement and guidance, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you notice and change unhelpful thoughts. Psychodynamic therapy looks at how past experiences shape the way you feel now.
Depression and anxiety often happen together, so our team looks at both. You can read about anxiety treatment on its own page, or browse all the conditions we treat.
Warning Signs That Need Prompt Attention
Please get help right away if you’re having thoughts of harming yourself or you feel unable to take care of yourself. Untreated depression can also affect sleep, work, relationships, and physical health, so reaching out early matters.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), or call 911 for an emergency.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Depression doesn’t have one single cause. NIMH says that genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors all play a role. It can affect anyone, no matter their age, race, income, culture, or education. Family history, major life changes, long-term stress, and other health problems can all add to the risk.
The most common types are major depression and persistent depressive disorder. Major depression involves symptoms on most days for at least two weeks, while persistent depressive disorder involves milder symptoms lasting two years or more. Depression can also happen after having a baby or as part of bipolar disorder.
Antidepressants are the main medicines for depression. There are several types, and your provider chooses based on your symptoms, your health history, and any other medicines you take. It can take time to feel the full effect. Our medication management page explains how this care works.
Yes, talk therapy alone helps some people, especially when symptoms are mild to moderate. Others do best with medicine or a mix of both. At Sea Breeze Psychiatry, brief psychotherapy is available on request alongside medication management.
Depression involves low mood, while bipolar disorder includes low periods and periods of mania, which means unusually high energy, mood, or activity. Treatment can differ, so a careful evaluation matters, and our mood disorders page has more detail.
Yes, if you live in Florida. Dr. De Lay can prescribe medication by telehealth, and you don’t need an in-person visit to get started. Many people like meeting from home, and our Miramar Beach office is available if you’d rather come in.