What it can look like
- Low mood, emptiness, or irritability that lasts most of the day, most days
- Loss of interest in things that used to matter
- Changes in sleep, appetite, energy, or concentration
- Physical complaints — aches, fatigue, slowed thinking — without another clear cause
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or hopelessness
- Thoughts that life is not worth living
Experiencing some of these does not mean you have this condition. Many symptoms overlap, which is why a careful evaluation matters.
How it is evaluated
An evaluation looks at how long symptoms have lasted, how they affect daily life, and what else might be contributing — medical conditions, medications, grief, sleep, substance use, or a history of mood elevation that would point toward bipolar disorder rather than depression. Justina treats major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder across the adult and older-adult lifespan, with particular attention to depression that appears alongside medical illness or cognitive change.
How treatment may help
Treatment is individualized. It may include medication, close follow-up, education for you and the people supporting you, and coordination with a therapist when talk therapy is part of the plan. Depression is commonly treatable, and many people experience meaningful improvement with the right combination of care and time.
The role of medication
Antidepressants are commonly used for moderate to severe depression. Choosing one involves your symptom pattern, your other medications and health conditions, and what has or has not worked before. Follow-up visits monitor response and side effects and adjust the plan as needed.
When to seek urgent help. If you are thinking about harming yourself, or feel unable to stay safe, call or text 988 or call 911 now.
What happens next at Rosecare
Online scheduling and practice contact options are being finalized. This page will update as soon as they are available. Your first visit is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation; from there, Justina will discuss options with you and set a follow-up plan.