Depression

Depression can look different from person to person and is not always easy to recognize. While some people experience persistent sadness or hopelessness, others may notice increased irritability, exhaustion, withdrawal, difficulty concentrating, or a loss of interest in things they once enjoyed. Children and teens may become less engaged with family or friends, struggle more at school, or seem increasingly frustrated or overwhelmed. Adults may continue to manage work, parenting, school, and other responsibilities while feeling disconnected, depleted, or unlike themselves.

At Long Island Mental Health & Wellness, we work with children, adolescents, young adults, and adults experiencing depression and related concerns. We recognize that symptoms do not occur in isolation, and treatment begins with understanding the individual, their experiences, and the factors that may be contributing to how they are feeling.

Understanding Depression

Everyone experiences periods of sadness, disappointment, stress, and low motivation. Depression tends to be more persistent and can begin to interfere with relationships, school, work, daily responsibilities, and overall quality of life. Someone experiencing depression may have less energy, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep or appetite, feelings of guilt or inadequacy, decreased motivation, or less interest in activities and relationships that were previously important to them.

Depression also commonly occurs alongside other concerns, including anxiety, ADHD, autism, OCD, learning differences, and difficulties with emotional regulation. In some cases, what initially appears to be depression may be connected to chronic stress, social difficulties, academic or occupational demands, major life transitions, or feeling overwhelmed by expectations. Looking at the broader picture helps us understand what is contributing to a person’s difficulties and determine the most appropriate approach to treatment.

Depression in Children and Adolescents

Depression in children and adolescents does not always look like sadness. Parents may notice irritability, withdrawal, changes in friendships, declining school performance, difficulty getting to school, changes in sleep, or a loss of interest in activities their child previously enjoyed. A young person may also become more sensitive to criticism, frustrated with themselves, or overwhelmed by expectations that previously felt manageable.

Some mood changes are a normal part of development, particularly during adolescence. When those changes persist or begin to affect a child’s functioning, relationships, or enjoyment of everyday life, it may be helpful to take a closer look. Therapy can give children and teens a space to understand what they are experiencing while developing practical strategies for managing emotions, relationships, stress, and everyday demands. When appropriate, we also work with parents to help them better understand and support their child.

Depression in Adults

Adults with depression are sometimes very good at continuing to function despite how they feel. Someone may continue going to work, caring for children, maintaining relationships, and meeting responsibilities while privately feeling exhausted, disconnected, overwhelmed, or unfulfilled. For others, depression may begin to make those responsibilities increasingly difficult to manage.

Life transitions can also contribute to emotional difficulties. College, career decisions, relationships, parenting, divorce, caregiving, and changes in identity or expectations can all create periods in which previously effective coping strategies are no longer enough. Therapy provides an opportunity to understand these patterns, identify what is contributing to distress, and make meaningful changes that support both emotional well-being and daily functioning.

Our Approach to Depression Treatment

Treatment at Long Island Mental Health & Wellness is individualized rather than based on a single approach. Depending on the needs of the person, our clinicians may incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy-informed strategies, interpersonal approaches, behavioral strategies, and family work. Treatment may focus on changing patterns that contribute to depression, increasing engagement in meaningful activities, improving emotional regulation, strengthening relationships, developing problem-solving skills, and finding more effective ways to navigate stress.

We also recognize that depression can present differently in neurodivergent individuals. Autistic people and individuals with ADHD may experience social exhaustion, masking, sensory overwhelm, executive functioning demands, repeated experiences of feeling misunderstood, or environments that require significant effort to navigate. These experiences can contribute to depression and need to be understood rather than treated as separate from it.

Our clinicians have extensive experience working with neurodivergent children, adolescents, and adults. A neurodiversity-affirming approach does not mean overlooking areas in which someone is struggling. It means understanding the person accurately, recognizing both strengths and challenges, and helping them develop strategies and supports that improve their quality of life without asking them to become someone they are not.

Getting Started

If you or your child has been feeling persistently unhappy, withdrawn, overwhelmed, or simply not like themselves, it may be helpful to talk with someone. You do not need to wait until symptoms become severe to seek support. Our team can help you better understand what is happening and determine what type of treatment may be the best fit.

Long Island Mental Health & Wellness provides individualized therapy for depression and related concerns for children, adolescents, young adults, and adults. Contact our office to learn more about services or to discuss which clinician may be the right fit for you or your family.