How do i know if i am feeling Depressed?

Depression is more than just feeling sad. It’s a real, serious medical condition that causes feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and despair. It can lead to physical problems, too. People with depression may have trouble sleeping, eating, or concentrating. They may feel like they can’t go on living or that life isn’t worth living. The symptoms of depression can be different for each person. Some people have only a few symptoms, while others have many. Some people may only feel down for a short time, while others may feel down for months at a time. But there are treatments that can help people with depression feel better.

What type of depression treatments do you provide?

There are a number of different treatments for depression, which can be broadly divided into two categories: psychological therapies and medication. Psychological therapies aim to help the person understand and manage their condition, while medication aims to alleviate the symptoms of depression by altering brain chemistry. The most common psychological therapy for depression treatment is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which teaches people to recognise and change negative thinking patterns. Other types of psychological therapies include interpersonal therapy, which focuses on relationships; problem-solving therapy, which helps people to find practical solutions to problems; and psychodynamic therapy, which explores the role of past experiences in present difficulties. Medication for depression treatment is typically antidepressants, which work by increasing levels of certain chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters. There are a variety of different antidepressants available, and the type that is prescribed will depend on the individual’s specific situation. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is another treatment option for depression, particularly when other treatments have been unsuccessful. ECT involves passing electrical currents through the brain to induce a seizure, which is thought to have a beneficial effect on mood.

Can Your Doctors Prescribe Medication?

We are able to prescribe a range of medications on a patient basis to aid in their recovery from a disorder.

Does Your Clinic Accept Insurance?

Yes we accept many insurance plans, including Medicare, Cigna & Medicaid to name a few. Alternatively we also have the option of affordable, sliding scale cash plans.

Do you treat any other type of mental health disorder?

Of course! The One-Stop Psychiatric Clinic has a team of psychiatrists, clinicians, and therapists that provide consistent care with tailor-fit treatments to suit your needs. No matter how you are feeling, we will help you!

Depression Treatment in Florida

Same-day visits are often possible

See us in our Fort Lauderdale office or by video anywhere in Florida. Ages 6 and up. We take Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare and most major insurance plans. Se habla español.

Request an appointment Call (754) 270-6322

Depression isn’t the same as a bad week. It’s an illness that changes how you feel, think, sleep, eat and get through the day, and it doesn’t just pass with time.

It’s also very treatable. We treat depression in kids from age 6, teens and adults, at our Fort Lauderdale office or by video anywhere in Florida.

Signs of Depression

Feeling sad, anxious or empty most of the time
Feeling hopeless, guilty or worthless
Irritability or restlessness
Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
Low energy or feeling slowed down
Trouble concentrating or making decisions
Sleeping too much or too little
Changes in appetite or weight
Aches, headaches or stomach problems with no clear cause
Thoughts of death or suicide

Not everyone has all of these. Depression can also look different by age. Younger kids may seem clingy or cranky, or refuse to go to school. Teens may get in trouble, sulk or sleep a lot. Men may seem angry or irritable rather than sad.

Depression during pregnancy or after having a baby needs its own kind of care. See our page on postpartum depression and pregnancy mental health.

How We Treat Depression

It starts with a full psychiatric evaluation. Your provider will ask how long you’ve felt this way, how it’s affecting your life, what you’ve tried before and whether anyone in your family has had depression or bipolar disorder.

Medication

Antidepressants help many people. Common choices include sertraline, escitalopram, fluoxetine, bupropion, venlafaxine, duloxetine and mirtazapine. They often take a few weeks to work, and sometimes it takes more than one try to find the right fit. Older options such as amitriptyline (Elavil) are sometimes used when newer medicines have not helped.

People under 25 can have more suicidal thoughts in the first weeks on an antidepressant or after a dose change, so we watch closely early on. Ongoing care is part of medication management.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

We offer CBT for depression. It helps you spot the thoughts and habits that keep depression going and practice new ways of handling them. Many people do best with therapy and medication together. Therapy openings depend on our therapists’ schedules, so ask our staff what’s available. More on therapy at One Stop Psychiatry.

Our PHQ-9 depression screener offers adults 18 and older a private starting point for discussing recent symptoms. It is not a diagnosis or an emergency assessment.

How to Get Started

1. Ask for an appointment

Call (754) 270-6322 or request an appointment online. We’re open Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and same-day visits are often possible.

2. We call you back

Our staff check your insurance, send your intake packet and confirm the time of your visit and whether it’s in our Fort Lauderdale office or by video.

3. Your first visit

Your provider goes over your symptoms, history, past treatment and current medications, then talks through a plan with you.

Common Questions

How long does treatment take to work?

Antidepressants usually take a few weeks to help, and therapy takes time too. Your provider will check in at follow-ups and adjust the plan.

Can I be treated for depression by video?

Yes. Evaluations and follow-ups can be done by video while you’re in Florida.

Do you offer therapy for depression?

Yes, we offer CBT for depression. Openings depend on our therapists’ schedules.

Do you treat depression in kids and teens?

Yes, from age 6. A parent or guardian is part of the visit.

Does insurance cover depression treatment?

Coverage depends on your plan. Our staff check it before your visit, and we have sliding-scale self-pay rates.

Insurance and Cost

We take Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana and Optum, and we have sliding-scale rates if you’re paying yourself. We check your coverage before the visit. The price of the medication itself depends on your pharmacy and plan. More on insurance.

We see patients from age 6, and same-day visits are often possible. Several of our providers and staff speak Spanish. Request an appointment or call (754) 270-6322.

Who You’ll See

Your care is with our team of physicians, psychiatric nurse practitioners and a physician assistant. Visits are available in English, Spanish, Russian, Urdu and Hindi. You can meet our providers before you book, and our staff can help you choose someone who’s a good fit.

Dr. Andrew C. Rucker, DOPsychiatrist

Dr. Murtaza Ali, DOAddiction specialist and family physician

Dr. Heather Brathwaite, PhD, PMHNP-BCPsychiatric nurse practitioner

Michelle KovalPsychiatric nurse practitioner. Speaks Russian

Neal Fouke, PAPsychiatric physician assistant

Muhammad Nawaz, PMHNP-BCPsychiatric nurse practitioner. Speaks Urdu and Hindi

We aren’t an emergency service. If you’re thinking about suicide or you’re in crisis, call or text 988. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Andrew C. Rucker, DO, psychiatrist, on October 6, 2026.

Sources: NIMH: Depression. This page is general information, not medical advice.

Request an Appointment

Tell us how to reach you. Our team calls back the same business day, Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Your appointment is confirmed once staff call you to set the time and place.

Prefer to talk to someone? Call (754) 270-6322.

Our Office

3015 N Ocean Blvd, Ste C101, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308. Phone: (754) 270-6322. Open Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Video visits are available anywhere in Florida. Directions and parking.