Depression and Anxiety

Depression and anxiety are two separate mental health conditions that often occur together. At Shah Psychiatry in Phoenix, Arizona, Neet Shah, MD, takes a holistic and integrative approach to depression and anxiety treatment. As a skilled adult psychiatrist, he works directly with you, customizing a plan to get you the best outcome from the start. For help with depression and anxiety, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

What are depression and anxiety?

Depression is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness and despair, and anxiety is an emotional response to stress. Many people with depression also struggle with an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders cause ongoing feelings of fear or worry that affect daily functioning. There are many types of anxiety disorders.

Anxiety and depression are common mental health conditions that anyone can develop.

Though you can struggle with depression and anxiety at the same time, they’re two distinct mental health conditions. Dr. Shah is an experienced adult psychiatrist who diagnoses and treats depression and anxiety.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Symptoms can range from person to person, which, at times, can either be related to identifiable environmental situations or other unidentified triggers.

Knowing the symptoms of depression can help you or a loved one get the care they need right away to feel better sooner.

Symptoms of depression may include:

• Feeling down and sad
• Decreased self-esteem
• Excessive guilt
• Changes to appetite 
• Changes to sleep
• Muscle tension
• Low-energy state/excessive fatigue
• Chest discomfort, difficulty breathing, heart palpitations
• Negative self-talk and thinking
• Thoughts of death or suicide

You can have depression without having all these symptoms. However, for a diagnosis, your symptoms affect most of your day for two or more weeks. 

What are the types of anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorders cause similar symptoms of fear and worry. However, the cause of the anxiety depends on the type of anxiety disorder. 

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

GAD causes ongoing feelings of fear or dread about everyday things like finances, health, or work.

Panic disorder

If you have frequent, unexpected panic attacks, you have a panic disorder. Panic attacks cause physical and emotional symptoms like sweating, heart palpitations, and feeling like you’re not in control.

Phobias

Phobias are fears of specific objects/things, or situations. Social anxiety disorder is a type of phobia.

Who would benefit from anxiety and depression treatment?

Whether anxiety and depression symptoms have been a long-standing feature of your life or you’re experiencing new symptoms, anyone who is affected by these conditions can benefit from Dr. Shah’s treatment recommendations, which can restore balance to your life.

What happens during a depression and anxiety consultation?

Dr. Shah requires a formal initial evaluation to determine and/or confirm the diagnosis of depression or anxiety.

He conducts a 60 to 90-minute initial psychiatric assessment for depression and anxiety. This thorough exam gives Dr. Shah a chance to get to know you and better understand your mental health concerns and goals. 

He also reviews your medical and mental health history and performs psychological tests to confirm or rule out a diagnosis. Dr. Shah may also recommend genetic testing through Genomind® if he plans on prescribing psychiatric medication to manage symptoms. 

Genetic testing from Genomind can help narrow down what type of medication you might tolerate best based on your genetic profile. Your genes determine how your body metabolizes drugs, which plays a role in effectiveness. Your genes also help Dr. Shah determine how well you might tolerate a drug, reducing the risk of side effects.

What treatments can improve my depression and anxiety?

A holistic, personalized approach to treatment, like the one taken by Dr. Shah, is imperative since both depression and anxiety can be felt differently, and the response to treatment is variable.

Dr. Shah focuses on recommending treatments that make meaningful improvements in your life without trying to change your personality or core values. He tries to determine any factors that can contribute to anxiety and depression so that he can intervene where appropriate.

Your plan may include psychotherapy and medication management.

Clients seeking integrative treatment will experience a dedicated program that finds ways to make small and subtle changes in lifestyle, diet, thinking, and feeling that help to use less medication, at lower doses, sometimes for a shorter period of time - due to combining multiple avenues of healing. 

Dr. Shah explores treatment response to high-quality supplements with evidence-based nutrition guidance, a dedicated sleep program, a personalized exercise program, as well as Eastern meditative and reflective practices to improve mindfulness and well-being. 

However, if medications are indicated for symptom control, Dr. Shah will always practice with an evidence-based perspective to bring about positive outcomes.  

Call Shah Psychiatry or schedule your depression and anxiety consultation online today.