Depression Specialist
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Patricia G. Gao, MD
Primary Care Physician located in Glen Burnie, MD
The frightening, debilitating symptoms of depression can disrupt your life. Dr. Patricia G. Gao is qualified to prescribe a variety of mood-lifting medications. Family support, counseling, and the caring guidance from Dr. Gao and staff can help you get back to your normal life. Dr. Gao serves the residents of Glen Burnie, Maryland.
Depression Q&A
What is depression?
Depression is an illness related to brain chemistry imbalances. Factors such as genetics, changes in hormone levels, stress, and difficult life circumstances can affect your brain chemistry.
What are the symptoms of depression?
The bothersome symptoms of depression include:
- Feeling exceptionally sad or anxious
- Feeling hopeless
- Feeling worthless
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Loss of energy
- Uncontrollable weeping
- Trouble concentrating, thinking, or making decisions
- Fluctuations in appetite causing weight gain or loss
- Stomach ache
- Headache
- Digestive issues
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Can you have depression and anxiety at the same time?
While anxiety and depression are different conditions, they may occur simultaneously. Anxiety can be a symptom of clinical (major) depression. Depression can also be triggered by a type of anxiety disorder such as separation anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or panic disorder.
When should you seek help for depression?
If your mood is interfering with your job performance, family life, and social functions, it requires interventions.
How is depression treated?
Psychotherapy is often recommended to treat mild and moderate types of depression. During counseling sessions, you focus on behaviors, ideas, and emotions that contribute to depression. Identifying and understanding life problems that impact your illness can enable you to recover a sense of control. Depending on your particular situation, Dr. Gao may recommend individual or group, counseling sessions. Often, inviting spouses and other family members to psychotherapy is beneficial. In addition to psychotherapy, she might suggest you take medicines to help treat your depression.
Dr. Gao bases the selection of medications on patients’ symptoms, other medical conditions they suffer from, and other medicines they’re currently taking. If you’ve experienced depression in the past, Dr. Gao may prescribe the same medicine that helped you recover previously. Typically, you must take antidepressants regularly for 4-8 weeks before you experience the full benefit of them. Dr. Gao monitors you closely during this time to determine the effectiveness of your treatment. After you begin to feel better, she may recommend antidepressants for an additional 4-6 months. This action can help prevent a relapse of your condition.
If you’re suffering from any of the symptoms of depression, schedule an appointment with Dr. Gao at Patricia G. Gao MD LLC today.
Insurance
We accept the majority of health insurance plans. Please contact our office if you do not see yours listed or have any other questions.
Words from our patients
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"Thorough, listens, takes appropriate time and attention. I searched a very long time for an exceptional primary care physician... Well worth the search!"
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"Dr. Gao and her physician's assistant create a courteous, professional atmosphere... We recommend her to anyone seeking personalized, competent medical treatment."
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"Went in to have Taylor draw a blood sample for analysis. It was quick and Taylor is excellent... and fun to talk to. I am not sure I even felt the needle."
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"With Dr. Gao and her clinic staff's close monitoring and follow up on my health... I lost 45 pounds. I feel great."
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"She has a very kind demeanor and takes time to listen. She treats the "whole person". She is quick to see me in an emergency. Also her staff is excellent!"
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"I am so glad that my wife recommended Dr. Gao. I look forward to her and her staff providing for my health needs. Very pleasant."
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"Taylor knows how to draw blood! That is such a plus in my book! She is kind, willing always helpful and gets the job done. She is an asset to Dr Gao's practice."
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"Staff was very friendly and kind, Dr. Gao was as well. She was patient while i explained my symptoms and was very insightful; definitely would recommend!"
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"Another outstanding visit. Dr. Gao has been a lifesaver for me and my wife for many years."
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"Dr. Gao is very kind and insightful. She took the time to talk to me about any and all concerns I had. I would definitely recommend others to her."
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"Easy to get an appointment for my preoperative procedures. Taylor and Dr. Gao are great! Great bedside manner, kind and caring."
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"I just had out-patient surgery at Dr. Gao's office to have a cyst removed. Dr. Gao was very professional as well as her assistant. I felt no discomfort at all."
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"Clean office, friendly staff, hardly any waiting time, Doctor was attentive and thorough. Look forward to my follow up!"
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"For those of you who are seeking medical care that provides patient priority services this is the place to go!"
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"Dr. Gao is the best Dr I've ever gone to. Her experience and professionalism is amazing. I would never go to any other doctor."
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"Dr. Gao is thorough, attentive, with an excellent patient awareness that relaxes patients receiving treatment or involved in problem diagnosis."
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"I always have a good experience when I have an appointment with Dr Gao. She is always pleasant, listens to me, and most of all she is a very caring doctor."
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"Great service always provided by office personnel. When needed, an appointment is always available... always a pleasant and informative visit with Dr. Gao."
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"My visit was handled efficiently and thoroughly by Dr. Gao and her assistant."
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"Dr. Gao has always shown sincere concern for me and my family and gives us all the best treatment and counseling. I am blessed to have her as our primary care provider."
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"I have been with Dr. Gao for 13+ years. She is a patient and caring doctor who will listen to your concerns and take action."
