Depression Diagnosis & Treatment at Baltimore Psychiatry
Test Your Depression Symptoms & Schedule an Online Evaluation Today!
Is depression preventing you from experiencing joy and happiness in your life or achieving your goals? Baltimore Psychiatry can diagnose a variety of depressive disorders and provide medication management anywhere in Maryland where it is convenient for you. We accept new patients quickly, work with all private insurance, and our cash pricing is transparent and affordable. Baltimore Psychiatry has been offering reliable medication management services for depression throughout Maryland since 2019. Do not let life pass you by, depression is treatable!
How Can I Test Myself For Depression Symptoms?
The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a widely used and well respected clinical screening scale that can be completed in as little as 2 minutes. It assesses for the presence of 9 depressive symptoms and also gauges the overall severity of depression experienced. The purpose of providing this scale is to help you determine if the symptoms you are experiencing may align with depression. An official diagnosis and treatment recommendations can only be made by a licensed provider after conducting a thorough evaluation; the following information is not intended to be medical advice.
Click here to view or download the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9) Depression Assessment.
Depression Severity Scores:
0-4 Minimal to none
5-9 Mild
10-14 Moderate
15-19 Moderately Severe
20-27 Severe
PHQ-9 was developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke and colleagues. It is copyrighted by © Pfizer Inc and used with open permission.
Depression is a mood disorder that negatively influences the way we think, feel, and behave. The defining characteristic of depression is:
A) A persistently depressed mood
and/or
B) A loss of interest in, or inability to derive joy or pleasure from, nearly all previously enjoyable activities and hobbies.
Additionally, an individual experiencing a depressive episode will identify with several other symptoms of depression.
What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Depression?
Some common symptoms of depression or a depressive episode include:
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Low self-esteem
- Excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt
- Diminished ability to think, concentrate, or make decisions
- Significant changes in sleeping pattern. This can be insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping).
- Significant change in appetite. This can be increased or decreased.
- Significant change in body weight. Weight loss or weight gain of more than 5% of one's body weight in one month.
- Readily apparent "psychomotor agitation" (purposeless movement such as tapping, pacing, or fidgeting)
- Readily apparent "psychomotor retardation" (delayed thoughts or movements as if a person is operating in slow motion)
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide*.
*Notice: If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please seek professional help immediately. If you also have a suicide plan or intent to hurt yourself, please seek emergency medical help NOW by calling local emergency services at 911 or the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
How Does Baltimore Psychiatry Provide Depression Treatment?
We provide comprehensive psychiatric evaluations with medication management. We can diagnose a variety of depressive disorders and prescribe medication to treat depression if appropriate.