
Find A Licensed Depression Treatment Provider In Compton, California
Find A Mental Health Care Clinic That Offers Depression Treatments
We currently offer in-person depression treatments in multiple mental health clinics.
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Compassionate, Personalized Care for Depression
LifeStance can provide a range of treatment options for depression, tailored to your unique needs including therapy and medication management.
We’ll make it easy to connect you with a mental health professional who specializes in treating patients with depression.
Your clinician will perform a thorough evaluation and develop a personalized treatment plan.
Your clinician will maintain proper levels of care through therapy sessions, psychiatry, and medication management, if needed.
What Is Depression?
Depression is a mood disorder in which someone experiences such low moods that it interferes with their daily life. The condition not only affects a patient’s moods, but a person with depression may also think and act differently than they used to.
Depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is one of the most common mental illnesses in the United States. The American Psychiatric Association estimates that one in every six individuals will experience depression in their lifetimes. Furthermore, about one in 15 people have depression during any given year.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression
Symptoms of depression can vary wildly. For example, some people exhibit uncontrolled anger, while others do not have the energy to get out of bed. Furthermore, people with similar symptoms may have different severities of each one. Generally, patients qualify for depression diagnoses if they exhibit at least five of the following symptoms:
- Low or depressed mood daily
- Intrusive thoughts about death or committing suicide
- Feeling uninterested in activities that the patient used to enjoy
- Difficulty concentrating or with memory
- Unintended weight loss or gain
- Feeling guilty or worthless
- Trouble with sleep
- Fatigue or low energy levels
- Slowed movements
- Fidgeting


What Causes Depression?
- Trauma or Stressful Events
Sometimes a stressful or sad event in life can set off depression. Losing a loved one, a job, or a relationship can cause immediate grief. However, if those feelings linger for longer than two weeks, a professional may diagnose a patient with depression. Intervention cannot take away the pain, but it can give patients the tools to work through their feelings and function daily. - Underlying Conditions
Sometimes depression is a symptom of a physical health problem. People with untreated thyroid or autoimmune diseases may feel depressed alongside their other signs. To treat these types of depression, doctors must treat the condition behind the depression. Patients may also need medications and therapy for a short time. - Biochemistry
In cases when no other cause is evident, a chemical imbalance may be to blame. Researchers have not nailed down a single reason behind these imbalances. However, certain medications can help.
Are There Different Types of Depression Treatments?
There are several types of depression. Most likely, your mental help professional will identify your type of depression during the screening process, before deciding on the best way to treat it.
Major depression, also known as clinical depression or Major Depressive Disorder, is a mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities that one used to enjoy.
These feelings are severe and last for at least two weeks, affecting a person’s ability to function normally in their daily life. Symptoms may also include changes in appetite and sleep patterns, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Major depression is a serious illness that can impact a person’s quality of life and ability to function.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD), also known as dysthymia, is a form of chronic depression lasting for at least two years. Treatment options for PDD are similar to major depressive disorder and may include psychotherapy, medication (antidepressants), lifestyle changes, and support groups. The difference lies in its chronic nature, as PDD symptoms are milder but persist for a more extended period.
Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a type of depression that affects new mothers within the first year of giving birth. It is a serious mental health condition that can impact a mother’s ability to care for herself and her baby.
Previously known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), this type of depression usually occurs during the winter and fall months when there is less daylight, due to reduced sunlight exposure. Treatment options for SAD include light therapy, also known as phototherapy, which involves exposure to bright artificial light to mimic natural sunlight.
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) refers to cases where standard therapies, such as psychotherapy and antidepressant medications, have not successfully alleviated symptoms. In such situations, several alternative treatment options can be considered. One option is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which involves controlled electrical stimulation of the brain to induce seizures, leading to improvements in mood. Another option is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific brain regions. Ketamine infusion therapy has also shown promise in rapidly reducing depressive symptoms.
Depression can also occur as a symptom with other mental health conditions. LifeStance’s mental health professionals will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Depression Treatment Options
Psychotherapy is a general term for treating depression by talking about your condition and related issues with a mental health professional. Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy or psychological therapy.
In-person therapy is a form of mental health care that is provided face-to-face with a mental health professional. Until recently, this is what most people thought of when they pictured traditional therapy. LifeStance has clinics in your state offering in-person therapy appointments.
Also known as telehealth, this form of therapy allows you to meet and interact with a therapist on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Online therapy has now been proven to be as effective as in-person therapy.
Many types of antidepressants are available, with new ones coming out regularly. Please see our Depression Medication Management Services for the comprehensive list of options.
Depression Medication Management
Antidepressant Medication Management (AMM) supports adults, children and adolescents living with depression by helping individuals manage their symptoms. Medication for depression is frequently prescribed alongside counseling or psychotherapy, and different types of antidepressants can cater to people’s unique needs and health requirements. Knowing which to choose will ensure you have maximum success with your treatment.
Several types of antidepressants are prescribed to patients according to their symptoms and requirements. This antidepressants list outlines the properties of six of the most common types of medication for depression:
The most commonly prescribed type of antidepressant, SSRIs mainly work by encouraging serotonin to act for longer in the brain and body by obstructing the serotonin reuptake into the nerve cell that released it.
SNRIs are often the preferred choice for treating severe depression and anxiety. They work in a similar way to SSRIs. But they affect your noradrenaline reuptake as well as your serotonin reuptake for a more powerful impact overall.
Named due to their chemical structure of three rings, tricyclics such as amitriptyline, amoxapine, and desipramine (Norpramin) boost your body’s noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake, creating a longer-lasting effect on your brain and body. As they can affect some other chemicals, they can cause increased unpleasant side effects.
For people who cannot take SSRIs, NaSSAs may be an effective solution, although the side effects are similar. NaSSAs are shown to cause fewer sexual problems but may cause increased drowsiness at first. They may be used for sleep and appetite.
MAOIs are an older type of antidepressant not often used nowadays. They work by making it harder for an enzyme called monoamine oxidase to break down noradrenaline and serotonin, keeping it active for longer. As it can have dangerous interactions with other medications and food, you need to follow a careful diet if you are prescribed MAOIs—you are unlikely to be prescribed an MAOI unless all other types of antidepressants have been unsuccessful.
SARIs work by inhibiting serotonin reuptake and blocking serotonin 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors. These atypical antidepressants both inhibit serotonin reuptake and block adrenergic receptors. Although these medications are not usually the first choice of medication, they may be prescribed if other medication for depression has not worked.
Telehealth Treatment Options for Depression
Telehealth, also referred to as Telemedicine, Teletherapy or Telepsychiatry, is an additional way for psychiatrists and therapists to provide mental health services to those who cannot come into their offices for in-person appointments.
The interactions in a telehealth session are essentially the same as when done in-person; the only difference is that it is being conducted online via your computer, phone, or tablet. There are many benefits to offering this option to patients, including convenience, cost, and the opportunity for family members or other professionals to participate.
In the past few years, when face-to-face interactions have been limited, telehealth has been a lifeline for many individuals dealing with the mental health issues that have developed during this time.
Depression FAQs
While there is no cure for depression, there are many effective treatments that can help people manage and move past their depression. The earlier that treatment starts, the more successful it may be.
When a patient suffers from depression, the hopelessness and other symptoms last for at least two weeks. The signs of depression also interfere with the person’s ability to live their daily life. Counselors may also diagnose this mental illness if the symptoms have not lasted long but are so severe that the patient is in danger.
It’s typical for people to feel sad or even depressed from time to time. When something upsetting happens in life, that feeling can last several days or even two weeks without major depressive disorder. While patients who experience this type of mood may benefit from seeing a therapist, it is not the same as having depression.
A mental health care team may recommend certain lifestyle changes to cope with depression. For example, a therapist may suggest that a patient remove specific triggers from her life. Meanwhile, a psychiatrist may recommend daily exercise for the patient in addition to his medication.
Meditation, exercise, journaling, and healthy eating habits can all make people with depression feel better. However, lifestyle changes are not always enough to treat depression on their own. People need to seek professional help if they have symptoms of depression and have not been able to heal on their own.
Depression therapy is a treatment aimed at relieving emotional distress and mental health challenges. The form of therapy that is most practiced is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and is proven to be effective in treating people with depressive symptoms.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most prescribed type of antidepressant. These include Fluoxetine, Citalopram, Sertraline, Paroxetine and Escitalopram.




