Severe depression can affect nearly every part of your life, including relationships, work, sleep, physical health, and your ability to enjoy daily activities. It is a serious medical condition, but effective treatment is available.
At Alivation, we provide personalized severe depression treatment for people who need more support managing depression, including those whose symptoms have not improved with previous treatment. Our behavioral health team takes a whole-person approach, considering your symptoms, medical history, physical health, previous treatments, and individual needs. Treatment options may include medication management, therapy, TMS, and other behavioral health services, with advanced options such as TMS and Spravato available for appropriate patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Depression can improve with the right care. Getting help early may reduce symptoms' impact on daily life and help you find a treatment approach that works for you.
Our behavioral health clinic in Lincoln, Nebraska, provides psychiatric and behavioral health services to patients seeking individualized care
What Is Severe Depression?
Major depressive disorder (MDD), sometimes called clinical depression, is more than feeling sad for a few days. It is a mood disorder that can change how you feel, think, and function in everyday life.
Major depression commonly involves a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure lasting most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks. Symptoms may interfere with sleeping, eating, working, concentrating, and maintaining relationships. Severity depends not only on the number of symptoms but also on how strongly they affect your ability to function.
Severe depression may cause emotional symptoms like hopelessness, guilt, or feelings of worthlessness. Physical symptoms include fatigue, sleep problems, appetite changes, or unexplained aches and pains. Cognitive symptoms can make it harder to concentrate, remember information, or make decisions.
Depression does not look the same for everyone. That is why professional evaluation is important before deciding what treatment may be appropriate.
Signs You Should Seek Professional Treatment
Consider talking with a mental health provider if depression symptoms persist, worsen, or make it difficult to manage daily responsibilities.
Signs that professional care may be needed can include:
- Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Significant sleep changes
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Low energy or feeling slowed down
- Irritability or anger
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Trouble maintaining work, school, or family responsibilities
- Withdrawing from friends or family
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Thoughts about death, suicide, or self-harm
Depression symptoms that persist should be discussed with a healthcare or mental health provider.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or is in immediate danger, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Alivation does not provide crisis, emergency or inpatient psychiatric services.
Severe Depression Symptoms in Adults, Children and Teens
Depression can look different depending on a person’s age.
Children and Teens
Children and teenagers may not always appear sad. Irritability, anger, and frustration can be more noticeable. Children may complain of physical symptoms, avoid school, or become more dependent on a parent. Older children and teens may show behavioral changes, problems at school, low self-esteem, or restlessness.
Changes in sleep and appetite may also occur. Teens can experience excessive sleepiness or increased appetite, and depression may occur alongside conditions such as anxiety, ADHD, eating disorders or substance use disorders.
Adults
Adults may experience more recognizable symptoms of depression, including persistent sadness and anhedonia, or the loss of interest or pleasure in activities.
Depression may also affect thinking and concentration. Some adults have difficulty making decisions, remembering information, or managing daily responsibilities. Others may dwell on negative thoughts or past events. Severe depression can make a person feel physically restless or noticeably slowed down.
Different Forms and Presentations of Depression
Depression can occur in several forms, and understanding the pattern of symptoms helps guide treatment.
Psychotic depression is a severe form of depression that includes psychosis, such as hallucinations or delusions.
Treatment-resistant depression occurs when depression has not improved enough after adequate treatment with at least two antidepressants. People experiencing treatment-resistant depression may need a specialist evaluation and different or advanced depression treatment options.
Bipolar depression occurs as part of bipolar disorder, which can include depressive episodes along with periods of mania or hypomania. Because treatment for bipolar disorder differs from treatment for major depressive disorder, an accurate diagnosis is important.
Postpartum or perinatal depression can occur during pregnancy or following childbirth and is more serious than temporary “baby blues.”
How Severe Depression Is Diagnosed
A depression diagnosis begins with understanding what you are experiencing.
During a psychiatric evaluation, a provider may ask when your symptoms started, how long they have lasted, how often they occur, and how much they interfere with daily activities. Medical and family history may also be reviewed.
A healthcare provider may consider whether medications or medical conditions cause symptoms resembling depression. Physical exams or lab tests may be used to rule out other causes, including thyroid disorders.
The information gathered during your evaluation helps your provider recommend a personalized treatment plan based on your symptoms, health, and previous response to care.
Conditions and Health Factors That May Be Connected With Depression
Depression can occur alongside other mental and physical health conditions. It may also be influenced by biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
Mental health conditions that may occur alongside depression include anxiety disorders, ADHD, PTSD and bipolar disorder. An accurate evaluation is important because overlapping symptoms can affect the recommended treatment.
Physical health matters as well. Thyroid disorders can sometimes cause symptoms that resemble depression, while chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and chronic pain can occur alongside depression and may make symptoms more difficult to manage.
Hormonal changes related to pregnancy, the postpartum period, the menstrual cycle, and menopause may also be associated with depressive episodes in some people.
Sleep problems, substance use, and overall physical health may affect symptoms. If depression is severe, looking at the full picture helps your provider identify factors to address in care.
Severe Depression Treatment Options at Alivation
No single treatment is right for everyone with depression. At Alivation, we develop personalized treatment plans based on each patient’s needs. Behavioral health services may include medication management, therapy, counseling, TMS, pharmacogenetic testing and telehealth.
Medication Management
Antidepressant medications are commonly used to treat depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are one type of antidepressant. Depending on the patient’s condition and response to treatment, providers may consider other medication approaches.
At Alivation, medication management includes reviewing your health history and monitoring treatment progress. Pharmacogenetic testing may be used to provide information on how your body processes certain medications.
Antidepressants take time to work, and some people need to try more than one medication before finding an effective option. Medications may cause side effects. Do not stop taking prescribed medication without first talking to your provider.
Individual Therapy
Depression therapy helps you recognize patterns in your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and develop healthier ways to cope with symptoms.
Alivation provides therapy and counseling as part of its behavioral health services. Psychotherapy may be used by itself or together with medication or other treatment, depending on your needs.
TMS Therapy
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS therapy, is a noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate targeted areas of the brain associated with depression.
Alivation offers TMS treatment for depression and other behavioral health conditions. It may be considered when medication has not provided enough relief or has caused difficult side effects.
Your provider can determine whether you may be an appropriate candidate based on your diagnosis, treatment history, and individual health needs.
Spravato®
Alivation identifies Spravato as a specialized treatment option for treatment-resistant depression.
NIMH describes esketamine, the medication in Spravato, as an FDA-approved treatment for treatment-resistant depression that is delivered as a nasal spray in a healthcare setting.
Combination Treatment Plans
Some people with severe depression benefit from more than one type of treatment or support. Treatment may combine medication, therapy, lifestyle guidance, or advanced options based on individual needs.
Alivation’s clinical approach combines behavioral health services with attention to nutrition, exercise, sleep, and other aspects of wellness. This coordinated approach considers both mental and physical health.
When Depression Is Not Improving
If you have tried depression treatment and still experience significant symptoms, it does not mean there are no other options.
Treatment-resistant depression generally refers to depression that has not improved adequately after appropriate trials of at least two antidepressants. A specialist evaluation can review your diagnosis, previous medications, therapy, medical conditions, and other factors that may affect your response.
For appropriate patients, advanced depression treatment may include options like TMS or Spravato. The right approach depends on your symptoms, health history, and previous treatment response.
Why Choose Alivation for Severe Depression Treatment?
At Alivation, we treat behavioral and physical health as connected parts of overall wellness.
Our behavioral health services include psychiatric evaluations, medication management, counseling, cognitive therapy, TMS, pharmacogenetic testing and telehealth options. We develop individualized treatment plans based on each person’s clinical needs rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Our team in Lincoln provides care for depression, anxiety, ADHD, mood disorders and other behavioral health concerns. By bringing multiple services together, we can take a more coordinated approach to your treatment.
What to Expect During Your First Appointment
Your first appointment is an opportunity for us to better understand what you have been experiencing.
Your provider may review your symptoms, medical and mental health history, medications, previous treatments and how depression affects your daily life. You will have a chance to discuss your concerns and ask questions.
Based on your evaluation, your provider can discuss treatment recommendations and next steps. Your treatment plan may change over time based on your response and changing needs.
You do not need to know which treatment you need before scheduling. The evaluation process is designed to help determine an appropriate path forward.
Take the First Step Toward Feeling Better
Severe depression can make asking for help difficult. You do not have to decide the next step alone.
At Alivation, we provide personalized psychiatric and behavioral health care for people seeking depression treatment in Nebraska, including advanced options for patients whose symptoms have not improved with previous treatment.
Schedule an appointment with Alivation today.
Brain/Behavioral Health: 402.476.6060
You can also contact Alivation online to request an appointment or ask about your treatment options.