Board-Certified Psychiatric Care
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Treatment in Orlando
Major depressive disorder requires expert diagnosis and individualized treatment. Our psychiatrists provide thorough evaluations, evidence-based medication management, therapy coordination, and structured follow-up to help you achieve lasting remission.
Most major insurance accepted • Self-pay options available
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Reviewed by Dr. Robert Glenn, MD, Supervising Physician · Last updated
Understanding Major Depressive Disorder
Struggling With Persistent Depression?
Same-week appointments available. If you've been experiencing depressed mood, loss of interest, or difficulty functioning for two weeks or more, our board-certified psychiatrists can help you find the right treatment approach.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) immediately.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common and serious mental health conditions, affecting roughly 8% of U.S. adults in any given year according to the National Institute of Mental Health. It goes well beyond ordinary sadness or having a bad week. MDD involves a constellation of symptoms that persist for at least two weeks and significantly impair your ability to work, maintain relationships, and carry out daily activities.
The DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for MDD require five or more symptoms present during the same two-week period, with at least one being either depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure. Other symptoms include significant weight or appetite changes, insomnia or hypersomnia, psychomotor agitation or retardation, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, difficulty concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of death. These symptoms must cause clinically significant distress or functional impairment.
It is important to distinguish MDD from normal grief, temporary sadness, or adjustment reactions. Normal sadness tends to come in waves and is usually connected to a specific event. MDD, on the other hand, is pervasive, often without a clear trigger, and does not simply resolve on its own. Without treatment, episodes can last months or even years, and recurrence is common.
At Empathy Health Clinic, we treat MDD with a thorough, individualized approach. During your initial psychiatric evaluation, we review your full history, prior medication trials, co-occurring conditions, and personal preferences before recommending any treatment. Our goal is to help you achieve meaningful remission, not just partial improvement.
Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation
Thorough psychiatric assessment to confirm MDD and identify co-occurring conditions
Evidence-Based Medication Options
SSRIs, SNRIs, bupropion, mirtazapine, and trazodone based on your unique profile
Structured Follow-Up Monitoring
Regular appointments to track symptom response and adjust treatment as needed
Therapy Coordination
Collaboration with therapists and counselors for combined medication and talk therapy
MDD Treatment at Empathy Health Clinic
Evidence-based care tailored to your symptoms and goals
First-Line Medications for MDD
SSRIs (such as sertraline, escitalopram, and fluoxetine) and SNRIs (such as venlafaxine and duloxetine) are considered first-line treatments for MDD by the APA. They have well-established efficacy and safety profiles. Your prescriber selects based on your symptom pattern, side-effect concerns, and any prior medication experience.
Bupropion & Alternative Options
Bupropion (Wellbutrin) works on norepinephrine and dopamine rather than serotonin, making it a good option for patients concerned about sexual side effects or who also want help with fatigue and low motivation. Mirtazapine may be preferred when insomnia and appetite loss are prominent. Trazodone is sometimes used to address sleep disruption alongside another antidepressant.
What Your First Visit Looks Like
Your initial evaluation is a 45- to 60-minute appointment. We review your symptoms in detail, medical history, past treatments, family psychiatric history, and current stressors. We discuss treatment options collaboratively. If medication is appropriate, we start at a carefully chosen dose with a clear monitoring plan.
Monitoring & Dose Adjustment
After starting medication, we schedule follow-up visits at 2-4 week intervals to evaluate response, side effects, and overall functioning. Most antidepressants take 4-6 weeks to reach full effect, and dose adjustments are common during this period. We use standardized symptom measures to track your progress objectively.
Therapy as a Core Component
The APA and NIMH recommend combining medication with psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy (IPT), for moderate to severe MDD. We coordinate with therapists in the Orlando area to ensure a cohesive treatment plan.
When to Consider Advanced Options
If two or more adequate medication trials have not produced sufficient improvement, this may indicate treatment-resistant depression. At that point, your prescriber may discuss augmentation strategies, medication combinations, or referral for specialized interventions. See our page on treatment-resistant depression for more information.
Insurance & Payment Options
We accept most major insurance plans and offer flexible payment options
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We accept most major commercial insurance plans. Self-pay options available. Note: We do not accept Medicaid or Sunshine Health.
Why Choose Empathy Health Clinic
Licensed Professionals
Licensed psychiatric clinicians and therapists
HIPAA Compliant
Your privacy and confidentiality are protected
Insurance Accepted
We accept most major insurance plans
Same-Week Appointments
Fast access to care when you need it most
Questions to Ask During Your MDD Evaluation
Medical References
Verified On
Major Depressive Disorder FAQs
Ready to Start MDD Treatment?
Our board-certified psychiatrists provide thorough evaluations and individualized treatment plans for major depressive disorder. No medication is prescribed without a comprehensive assessment.
If you're in crisis: Empathy Health Clinic is an outpatient practice and not a 24/7 crisis facility. If you are in immediate danger or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room.