Depression & Bipolar Mood Disorders in Portland

Understanding Depression in Portland's Unique Environment

Portland's climate plays a significant role in mental health challenges. With sunlight visible only 29% of the time during the darkest winter weeks, residents in neighborhoods near my NW Flanders office—from Forest Park to the West Hills—face unique seasonal challenges.

The prevalence of depression is especially high in people with identity concerns and those who face systemic oppression. Workplace stress—even in Portland's thriving downtown business district and Pearl District tech companies—can significantly contribute to depression. Additionally, interpersonal relationship challenges, substance dependence, and difficult family dynamics all increase vulnerability to mood disorders.

On Your Own, It's Hard To Figure Out All The Causes Of Depression

Sometimes the causes of depression have less to do with difficult life circumstances and more to do with genetics, brain chemistry, and biological factors. Depression often runs in families, as does the risk of committing suicide.

It's very important to seek treatment if you're feeling depressed, since the symptoms tend to get worse when left untreated. Most people with depression start to experience suicidal thoughts if their condition goes untreated for more than six months. Portland residents can access immediate support through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or local resources like Multnomah County Crisis Services at 503-988-4888.

As a mental health professional with over 10 years of rigorous training from Harvard, Cornell, and Columbia, I can help you gain control of your symptoms and get to the bottom of your struggles, enabling you to find quick relief and long-lasting healing.

Depression Treatment Is A Chance To Rekindle Your Sense Of Hope 

By working together, creating a plan, and utilizing the assistance of medications and psychotherapy, a full recovery is possible. My patients get better. We begin the recovery process on day one, during our first meeting at my Nob Hill office.

I remind my patients that, although depression can be very debilitating, it is also highly treatable. There are so many options we can explore together, and that's what treatment is all about. With my extensive experience, including serving as a first responder during 9/11 and conducting international public health research, I bring a unique perspective to depression treatment Portland residents can depend on.

I specialize in providing treatment for a wide range of mood disorders, including Major Depression Disorder, Bipolar Depression Disorder, Premenstrual Depression Disorder, and Postpartum Depression Disorder.

Since I am both a psychiatrist and therapist, with residencies from Massachusetts General Hospital and Cornell-Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, I am able to offer medical testing, medication management, and diagnostic services in addition to depression therapy.

What To Expect In Depression Treatment Sessions

I take a comprehensive approach to treating depression and related mood disorders, as I believe that full healing requires addressing a person's emotional, behavioral, and medical wellbeing. Below are some of the main areas of focus in depression treatment:

• Diagnoses and Medical Testing—Making an accurate diagnosis is critical to creating an individualized treatment plan. I will perform an in-depth evaluation of your depression symptoms so that you can get access to the medications you need and figure out if you have any co-occurring conditions (ADHD, trauma, anxiety, etc.).

• Psychoeducation—Understanding depression is the first step toward healing from it. I will educate you about the nature of depression so that you understand how it impacts your brain and what symptoms to watch out for. This is especially important given that 32.3% of Oregon adults with depression or anxiety symptoms reported unmet needs for counseling or therapy in 2022.

• Psychotherapy—Through a combination of behavioral and insight-oriented psychotherapy, informed by my fellowship training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy from Columbia University, you can learn real-life strategies for reducing your depression symptoms and gain insight into the underlying causes of your struggles.

• Medication Management—The use of psychiatric medications can be life-saving. Together, you and I will explore antidepressants, mood stabilizers, sleep aids, and other pharmaceutical options for treating depression. Although medication is not mandatory, it can dramatically improve your mood and make the work of therapy much easier. My specialized training in psychopharmacology from Albert Einstein College of Medicine ensures you receive the most appropriate and effective medication management.

Addressing Portland's Seasonal Depression Challenges

For many Portland residents, particularly those in neighborhoods near my NW Flanders office like Slabtown and the Northwest District, seasonal depression adds another layer to mental health challenges. We'll incorporate strategies to manage Portland's long, gray winters, including light therapy recommendations and vitamin D supplementation when appropriate. We can also explore how to utilize Portland's extensive park system, including nearby Forest Park and Wallace Park, for mood-boosting outdoor activities when weather permits.

By taking every area of your life into account and giving you tangible solutions for treating depression both psychologically and medicinally, I am confident that I can help you create a life of peace, hope, and stability.

Many of my patients feel like they're in a new place of well being several months into treatment. I want the same for you.

You May Have Some Questions About Depression Treatment…

What if treatment costs too much? 

Cost is a very valid concern. Thankfully, most patients realize they are able to afford depression treatment after talking with their insurance companies. Many Portland-area insurance plans, including those from major employers in the Pearl District and downtown, provide mental health coverage.

It's also worth mentioning that I work very efficiently—many of my patients get better at a faster pace and experience more complete relief under my care. This investment can save you time and money down the line, ensuring that you don't have to continue spending money on treating your depression years down the road.

What if my schedule is too full for depression treatment?

Just as you would make time for a doctor's visit if you had a medical ailment, it's vital to prioritize your mental health. Whether you're commuting from the Alphabet District, navigating hectic schedules at Good Samaritan Hospital, or managing the demands of work and home life, you are welcome to come for an in-person visit for the first session and then have virtual sessions from that point on if that's easier for you.

I always recommend attending one to two sessions a week for the first several months, and then as time goes on and your symptoms improve, you can meet with me once every couple of weeks or once a month.

Will I need to take medication to get better?

Once we complete the evaluation and come up with a diagnosis, medications may be offered or encouraged depending on what we find. Medications can't cure depression, but they can provide remarkable relief from your symptoms and facilitate the process of therapy. With my Board Certification and extensive training in psychopharmacology, I can ensure you receive the most appropriate medication recommendations.

Together, we'll discuss the benefits and side effects so that you can make an informed decision about your care.

From Depressed And Unfulfilled To Happy And Productive

Living in Portland presents unique mental health challenges, from our notoriously gray winters to the stresses of professional life in Central City and Northwest Portland. But with proper treatment from an experienced psychiatrist who understands these local challenges, recovery is possible.

Whether you are struggling with major depression disorder, bipolar depression disorder, or another mood disorder, I believe that my unique blend of therapy and psychiatry at Mary E. Theodore, MD, MPH Psychiatry can provide the healing and relief you're looking for.

To learn more about my services, you can fill out the contact form or call me at 646-593-2134.

Serving patients in Portland, Oregon from my convenient Nob Hill location at 2250 NW Flanders St #310, easily accessible from Northwest 23rd Avenue, the Pearl District, and all Portland metro neighborhoods, as well as New York, New York through both in-person and virtual sessions.