According to the CDC, nearly 15 million annual primary care office visits are patients diagnosed with some form of depressive disorder. In addition, around 11 percent of all office visits are made by people with an active depression diagnosis on their medical record (even if that’s not what they were being seen for that day).

Dealing with depression and related mental health conditions can be challenging, but telehealth services like HealthTap can make it easier and more accessible to treat and manage symptoms. Mood disorders are extremely common, and most people will experience depression at some point. 

HealthTap strongly believes in reducing the stigma around mental health concerns and treatment, and discussing what clinical depression is and what can be done about it is just one step toward that important goal.

What is clinical depression?

Depression can happen to anyone, no matter what is going on in their lives. Globally, nearly five percent of adults deal with this mental health issue. Many don’t seek help due to self-shame, cultural concerns or just not understanding the validity of depression as a medical diagnosis. 

Ultimately, clinical depression is a medical condition like diabetes or high blood pressure, and there should be no stigma around seeking help. 

Common symptoms of depression include:

• Difficulty concentrating.
• Feelings of hopelessness.
• Feelings of sadness.
• Feelings of worthlessness.
• Lack of motivation.
• Loss of interest in day-to-day activities or hobbies.
• Low self-esteem or self-worth.
• Trouble falling or staying asleep.

One reason clinical depression goes undiagnosed is that many people aren’t aware that it can cause physical symptoms. Many people with depression also experience body aches, fatigue or consistently low energy levels and weight changes (often due to increased or decreased appetite).

There are also risk factors associated with the development of clinical depression. A strong family history of mental illness (especially in immediate family members like parents and siblings) and significant life events (like the death of loved ones or even the birth of a child) can trigger episodes of depression. 

Certain types of thyroid disorders, like hypothyroidism (low thyroid), can also trigger physical symptoms of depression and depressed mood. The variety of factors that can cause symptoms (or mimic them) is one of the reasons why anyone experiencing new or changing clinical depression symptoms should seek a full medical workup. 

Forms of clinical depression

Clinical depression isn’t just a one-size-fits-all diagnosis. There are multiple forms of clinical depression, each requiring a slightly different treatment approach.

For example, some people deal with the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (appropriately shortened to SAD). This form of clinical depression occurs when there is less natural available sunlight (usually in the fall and winter in the United States). 

SAD is also associated with weight gain (due to increased cravings for carbohydrates). Lightbox treatment can be beneficial for these patients, as well.

Other types of depression include postpartum depression (symptoms of depression after having a baby), major depression (another name for clinical depression, where symptoms stay constant instead of ebbing and flowing) and depression related to the menstrual cycle (like PMS and PMDD or premenstrual dysphoric disorder).

Clinical depression is often seen with other co-occurring conditions (comorbidities), especially anxiety disorders. Many modern antidepressant medications can also help treat anxiety symptoms, which is why patients should always be upfront and honest about what symptoms they may be experiencing. 

How HealthTap can help

Most patients who are concerned they may have clinical depression (or who already have an existing diagnosis) can be successfully treated and managed through telehealth services. A virtual consultation with a trained mental health doctor can help to confirm the diagnosis. 

These appointments usually include discussing symptoms, family history, and recent life events before deciding on a plan of treatment to address each patient’s individual concerns. If appropriate, HealthTap’s doctors can also prescribe certain non-controlled antidepressant medications to help manage the symptoms of clinical depression. 

Common treatment options include SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) like citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro), although there are also other categories depending on symptoms. Keep in mind that HealthTap doctors cannot prescribe controlled medications, so patients seeking these medications will need to see an in-person health professional.

Once prescribed, access to a doctor is only a click away through HealthTap. This allows doctors to follow up with their patients and make sure they are adjusting well to any new medications or dosage changes while also giving patients the ability to ask any questions that may come up about their care. 

Treatment for many forms of depression, including major depressive disorder, is often even more effective when combined with psychotherapy (also known as “talk therapy”). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most popular and can be performed by a licensed clinical therapist in person or via telehealth. 

Support groups can also be beneficial, especially if the cause of depression is related to a significant life event.

What HealthTap can’t manage

Not every patient with clinical depression can be appropriately managed by a telehealth provider. HealthTap’s mental health professionals cannot prescribe controlled antipsychotics like Abilify, Gabapentin, or Lithium, as well as certain anti-anxiety reducing medications, including Ativan, Valium and Xanax. 

They can also not treat mental health concerns in children or adolescents under 18. In addition, HealthTap is also unable to treat more complex clinical depression and mental health disorders and symptoms, including bipolar disorder, delusions, hallucinations, psychosis, schizophrenia, severe depression (especially with thoughts of self-harm), and substance use disorder. These concerns should be managed by an in-person psychiatry professional. 

Patients having thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, or suicide attempts should contact the crisis lifeline (by texting 988 from their mobile device) or seek immediate medical attention.