What is depression?
Depression is more than a bad week or a stretch of sadness. Clinical depression, also called major depressive disorder, is a medical condition that affects mood, thinking, energy, sleep, and the body itself. It can make work, school, and relationships feel like an uphill climb. Some people experience a single episode; others live with persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), a lower-grade depression lasting two years or more.
Common signs of depression include:
- Persistent sadness, emptiness, or irritability (especially in children and teens)
- Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
- Sleeping too much or too little, and changes in appetite or weight
- Fatigue, slowed thinking, and trouble concentrating
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or hopelessness
- Thoughts of death or suicide
How Dr. Green can help
Effective depression treatment starts with an accurate diagnosis. Dr. Green, a board-certified psychiatrist with more than 40 years of medical experience, begins with a thorough psychiatric evaluation: your symptoms, medical history, family history, sleep, substance use, and what is happening in your life. Depression often overlaps with anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, or medical issues such as thyroid problems, and getting that picture right shapes everything that follows.
What treatment looks like
Treatment is tailored to you. For many patients, that means a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Dr. Green provides insight-oriented psychotherapy, which helps you understand the patterns, relationships, and experiences that feed depression so you can change them, not just manage symptoms. Follow-up visits track how you are sleeping, functioning, and feeling, and adjust the plan as you improve.
Is medication involved?
Not always, but often. For moderate to severe depression, antidepressant medication can make a meaningful difference. Common options include SSRIs, SNRIs, bupropion, and other antidepressants, sometimes combined with additional medications when the first approach is not enough. Dr. Green favors the lowest effective dose, explains side effects plainly, and monitors closely, especially for children and adolescents. If you already take an antidepressant that isn't working, a medication review is often a good place to start.
Common questions about depression
How do I know if it's depression or just stress?
Stress usually eases when the pressure lifts. Depression tends to persist for two weeks or more, affects sleep, appetite, and energy, and makes it hard to enjoy anything, even on good days. If low mood is interfering with work, school, or relationships, an evaluation is worthwhile.
How long does depression treatment take?
Many people notice improvement within four to eight weeks of starting treatment, although full recovery can take several months. After you feel better, continuing treatment for a period of time lowers the chance of depression returning.
Getting help for depression in Minneapolis
Depression is highly treatable, and most people improve with the right care. Dr. Green sees patients at his downtown Minneapolis office on Nicollet Mall, in Excelsior, and by secure video visit. If you or a family member is struggling with depression, call the office to discuss next steps.