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Depression is feeling sad, blue, unhappy, or down in the dumps. Most people feel this way once in a while.

Major depression is a mood disorder. It occurs when feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration get in the way of your life over a long period of time. It also changes how your body works.

It’s normal to feel depressed or experience moments of sadness sometimes. But when someone is diagnosed with major depression, it means they’ve been experiencing very strong and long-lasting feelings of sadness for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks.  

Other types of depression and conditions that can have similar symptoms include: 

• Bipolar disorder includes periods of depression and periods of very high energy and mood (mania) 

• Postpartum depression happens to individuals assigned female at birth after having a baby 

• Seasonal affective disorder occurs during certain seasons, usually winter 

• Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) is long-lasting depression with less severe symptoms than major depressive disorder 

• Psychotic depression is depression with severe symptoms like seeing or hearing things that aren’t there (hallucinations) or believing things that aren’t true (delusions) 

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health and can prescribe medications. Other helpful professionals include psychologists, therapists, and counselors who provide talk therapy to help people manage their feelings.  

Symptoms of major depression can vary from person to person, range from mild to severe, and last from a short period to a very long time. This includes:  

• Feeling very sad, anxious, or empty all the time 

• Feeling hopeless or negative about the future 

• Being easily irritated or frustrated 

• Feeling guilty or worthless 

• Losing interest in activities once enjoyed 

• Feeling very tired and having no energy 

• Having trouble concentrating or making decisions 

• Having trouble sleeping or sleeping too much 

Major depression is one of the most common and most treatable mental health conditions. However, it doesn’t always feel this way to the person experiencing symptoms. It’s normal to have feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, or worthlessness when depressed. Fortunately, people with major depression can find relief from symptoms with the right treatment plan. This can include medications, therapy, or a combination of both.   

The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) recognizes major depression as a disability, although not everyone living with the condition qualifies for disability protection. Depression is considered a disability when it affects a person’s ability to work, go to school, interact with others, and do everyday activities.   

You can support someone with major depression by: 

• Encouraging them to seek help from a doctor or therapist 

• Listening to them and showing that you care 

• Being patient and understanding 

• Helping them with daily tasks if they need it 

• Encouraging them to stay active and do things they enjoy 

There are various reasons why you may want to see a specialist, such as: 

• Your primary care provider recommends it. 

• Your condition requires expert knowledge and specialized care. 

• Your symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment. 

• You need specialized testing or procedures. 

• You want a second opinion.  

It’s important to see a provider with expertise in your specific condition. Each provider profile in MediFind’s doctor database includes information on which conditions they treat, years of experience, research contributions, languages spoken, insurance plans accepted, and more.  

You can find doctor in any of the 10 largest U.S. cities by clicking below:

doctor near New York, NY
doctor near Los Angeles, CA
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MediFind’s rankings are based on a variety of data sources, such as the number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials and industry conferences, as well as the number of patients that provider sees for a given condition. Note that MediFind’s provider database is not based on user reviews, and providers do not pay to be included in the database. 

Most profiles in MediFind’s doctor database include a list of insurance plans accepted by that provider. However, it’s a good idea to contact the provider’s office to make sure they still accept your insurance, then doublecheck by contacting your insurance plan to confirm they’re in network. 

MediFind offers direct scheduling for certain providers using the “Request Appointment” button on that provider’s profile. If the schedule option is not available for a provider, tap the red “Show Phone Number” button on their profile to get their contact information. If you prefer to find providers who offer online scheduling, select “Schedules online” under the “Availability” category of the filter feature on the left side of the doctor search results page. 

Second opinions are an opportunity to confirm a diagnosis and its root cause, learn about alternative treatment options, or simply gain peace of mind. Many people, especially those with serious diagnoses, get second opinions so they can understand all their options and make informed decisions, so don’t hesitate to get one if you have any doubts or need more information or clarification regarding your care. Note that some insurance plans require second opinions, while others don’t cover second opinions, so be sure to confirm with your insurance provider first.   

Prepare for your appointment by gathering the following items: 

• Copies of medical records (dating back at least one year) 

• Your medical history, including illnesses, medical conditions, surgeries, and other doctors you see 

• Family history of disease 

• List of current prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies or supplements including names and doses 

• Allergies to medications, food, latex, insects, etc.  

• List of questions and concerns 

• Your insurance card 

You might also contact the provider’s office to see if they offer transportation or childcare services or if you’re allowed to bring a loved one for support or to take notes during your visit. 

Here are some sample questions: 

• Can you explain in simple terms what this condition is and how it’s treated? 

• What symptoms or side effects should I watch for? 

• What tests will be involved, and when can I expect results? 

• Are there other specialists I need to see? 

• What’s the best way to reach you if I have follow-up questions? 

MediFind’s Clinical Trials tool asks you a series of questions to help you narrow down your search by health condition, age, gender, location, how far you’re willing to travel, and more. Each question you answer filters down the number of trials until you find the ones that are most relevant to you. 

MediFind’s Latest Advances tool features summaries of recent articles published in medical journals. We use cutting-edge technology to scour medical publication databases for the latest research advancements on any given condition, then we simplify this information in a way that’s useful and easy to understand. 

Look for the filter feature on the left side of the doctor search results page. Select “Female” or “Male” under the “Gender” category to search for female or male providers exclusively. If the “Any” option is selected, it will pull results for both male and female providers. 

Look for the filter feature on the left-side of the doctor search results page. Select “Offers telehealth visits” under the Availability category to search for providers who offer virtual appointments (video calls). 

Reviewed on: 11/11/24  

By: MediFind Medical Staff 

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