Depression

Depression is more than just "the blues." Nearly everyone experiences sadness in life, but depression is a serious illness that takes hold of your day-to-day health and often goes unrecognized even by those who have the illness.

If you or a loved one is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, dial 911.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Depression

Depression varies from person to person. But, it's common for the following symptoms to occur most of the day and nearly every day:

Fatigue or loss of energy
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Impaired concentration, indecisiveness
Insomnia (an inability to sleep) or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping)
Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities
Recurring thoughts of death or suicide (not just fearing death)
A sense of restlessness or being slowed down
Significant weight loss or weight gain

These symptoms can be part of life's normal lows. But the more symptoms you have, the stronger they are, and the longer they last – the more likely it is that you're dealing with depression. When these symptoms are overwhelming and disabling, it's time to seek help. At Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital, our mental health professionals will create an individualized treatment plan to guide you toward improved mental and emotional health.

Consequences of Depression

Left untreated, depression leads to serious consequences. The personal pain and distress is often significant. Ability to perform at work or school can become so impaired that academic or job failure can result. Family members are often hurt as the affected person has so little energy left to relate to them in a meaningful way. Suicide is a possible risk for those who are depressed. While not everyone who attempts or dies by suicide is depressed, many are. Suicide is a leading cause of death for teens and young adults up to age 24 and is a major cause of death for all ages. Suicide is most common among those over age 65, many of whom are medically ill, lonely, and may be struggling with unrecognized depression. Depression carries with it the risk of higher rates of medical illnesses, slower recovery from surgery and increased risks of death from heart attack.

Treatment for Depression

Depression is treatable. From therapy to medication to healthy lifestyle changes, there are many effective treatments that can help you overcome depression and reclaim your life. Seek help if:

Your depressive symptoms occur daily or almost daily for two weeks or longer or causes significant distress or impairment;
You are thinking about suicide
You have a health condition such as substance use, heart disease or other illness

If the depressive feelings last only a brief time and do not significantly affect your functioning, follow these simple steps:

Limit your use of alcohol and stop use of substances unless prescribed by your physician
Avoid sleep agents or use them no longer than two weeks
Get regular nutrition and exercise
Stay in contact with others even though you may feel like avoiding people
Talk with others about your worries
Set a time limit as to when you expect to get better, and seek help quickly if you fail to improve. Remember, part of depression is feeling hopeless. It may be hard to believe that anything can help, even treatment, though it is usually very effective.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Treatment

We are pleased to offer Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), an innovative, FDA-approved treatment option for individuals with depression who have not responded adequately to traditional therapies.

What is TMS?

TMS is a non-invasive procedure that uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in the brain regions associated with mood regulation. Unlike medication, TMS works directly on the brain's neural circuits, often providing relief for patients who have found little success with antidepressants alone.

Benefits of TMS:

Non-invasive – No surgery or anesthesia required
Well-tolerated – Most patients experience few to no side effects
No systemic side effects – Unlike many medications, TMS does not cause weight gain, drowsiness, or other common drug-related side effects
Convenient – Sessions typically last 20–40 minutes, and patients can return to normal activities immediately afterward

Who is a candidate for TMS?

TMS may be right for you if you have been diagnosed with depression and have not achieved satisfactory improvement with medication or therapy. Our mental health professionals will evaluate your individual needs to determine if TMS is an appropriate treatment option for you.

If you are interested in learning more about TMS or would like to find out if you are a candidate, please call the Laureate Outpatient Clinic at 918-491-3700.

Spravato®(esketamine) Nasal Spray Treatment

We also offer Spravato® (esketamine) nasal spray, an FDA-approved treatment designed for adults with treatment-resistant depression or major depressive disorder with suicidal thoughts or actions. This breakthrough therapy provides a new option for those who have not found relief through conventional antidepressants.

How does Spravato® (esketamine) work?

Spravato® (esketamine) targets the brain's glutamate system — a different pathway than most traditional antidepressants. This unique mechanism can produce rapid improvement in depressive symptoms, sometimes within hours or days rather than the weeks typically required by standard medications.

Benefits of Spravato® (esketamine)

Rapid improvement in depressive symptoms, often within hours or days
Reduction in thoughts of suicide

What to expect:

Spravato® (esketamine) is administered as a nasal spray under the supervision of a healthcare provider in an FDA-approved clinical setting
Each session typically lasts about two hours, including a required observation period to monitor for any side effects
Treatment is used in combination with an oral antidepressant for optimal results

Common side effects may include:

Temporary dissociation or dizziness
Nausea
Increased blood pressure (monitored during each visit)
Sedation

Who is a candidate for Spravato® (esketamine)?

This treatment may be appropriate if you are an adult who has tried two or more antidepressants without adequate improvement, or if you are experiencing major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation. Our team will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if Spravato® (esketamine) nasal spray is the right option for you.
To learn more or to discuss whether Spravato® (esketamine) treatment may be right for you, please call the Laureate Outpatient Clinic at 918-491-3700.

Make an Appointment with Laureate

For questions, or to schedule an appointment with a mental health professional, please call the Laureate Outpatient Clinic, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 918-491-3700.