Board-Certified/Eligible Adult & Child Psychiatrists, Therapists, In-person & Telehealth, Serving Children, Teens & Adults, Out-of-Network / Personalized Care
Depression Evaluation and Treatment in Cherry Hill, NJ
(Adults, Teens & Children)
You Are Not Lazy. You Are Not Broken. You May Be Depressed.
Depression is one of the most common and most misunderstood medical conditions we treat.
Many people wait months or years before seeking help because they think they should be able to “push through.” Others assume depression must mean constant sadness but often it looks like exhaustion, irritability, poor focus, or feeling emotionally numb.
At Eastern Psychiatric, we evaluate the whole person biological, psychological, developmental, and environmental factors to understand why depression is happening and how to treat it effectively.
Serving Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Marlton, Medford, Haddonfield and surrounding South Jersey communities
WHAT DEPRESSION CAN LOOK LIKE
Depression Symptoms in Adults
In adolescents especially, it often appears as behavioral or academic changes rather than sadness.
Common symptoms include:
- Persistent low mood or emptiness
- Loss of interest or motivation
- Mental and physical fatigue
- Poor concentration or memory
- Irritability (very common in teens)
- Sleep changes (too much or too little)
- Appetite or weight changes
- Feeling overwhelmed by small tasks
- Loss of confidence
- Withdrawing from friends or activities
- Declining school or work performance
- Feeling numb or detached
- Hopeless or negative thinking
Urgent signs:
- Thoughts about death
- Wishing to not wake up
- Suicidal thoughts
(If urgent safety concerns exist, contact emergency services immediately.)
TYPES OF DEPRESSION WE TREAT
Depression can be caused by different conditions. Treatment depends on the diagnosis which is why careful psychiatric evaluation matters.
We commonly diagnose and treat:
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder
- Post-partum Depression
- Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood
- Bipolar Depression
- Anxiety-related Depression
- ADHD-related Demoralization
- Burnout and Stress-Induced Depression
CHILD & TEEN DEPRESSION
Depression Often Looks Different in Kids
Children rarely say “I feel depressed.”
Instead parents notice:
- Irritability or anger
- School refusal
- Headaches or stomachaches
- Increased screen time withdrawal
- Drop in grades
- Loss of interest in sports or activities
- Social isolation
- Sensitivity to criticism
- Emotional outbursts
Depression in youth frequently overlaps with ADHD, anxiety, and learning stress — and treatment must address all contributors.
OUR APPROACH
Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation
We focus on understanding you, not just prescribing medication.
Evaluation includes:
- Psychiatric history
- Medical contributors (sleep, hormones, medications)
- Developmental history
- Academic/work functioning
- Family patterns
- Personality style and coping patterns
- Stressors and life transitions
- Prior treatment response
This allows us to determine:
Is this biological depression, burnout, anxiety-driven, ADHD-related, or bipolar spectrum?
Correct diagnosis dramatically improves outcomes.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Evidence-Based Depression Treatment
Most patients improve with a personalized combination of:
Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Supportive therapy
- Problem Solving and behavioral activation
- Family therapy for children/teens
Medication Management
When appropriate, medications may include:
- SSRIs
- SNRIs
- Atypical antidepressants
- Mood stabilizers (when indicated)
We carefully monitor effectiveness, side effects, sleep, energy, and functioning, not just mood.
Many patients benefit from medication adjustments rather than simply increasing doses.
Medication should restore functioning not change personality.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I know if this is depression or burnout?
Burnout improves with rest. Depression persists even when circumstances improve.
Will antidepressants change my personality?
No, effective treatment should help you feel more like yourself, not less.
How long does treatment take?
Many patients notice improvement within 4–8 weeks once the correct treatment is started.
Do kids need medication?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. We individualize treatment and involve parents in planning.
Do you offer telehealth?
Yes, after initial evaluation when clinically appropriate.
WHY EASTERN PSYCHIATRIC
Specialized, personalized Whole-Person Psychiatry Led by Dr. Alex Strauss, board-certified in Adult and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, our practice focuses on accurate diagnosis and thoughtful treatment rather than quick medication visits.
We treat:
- Adults
- College students
- Athletes
- Children
- Adolescents
- Families
Our goal is functional recovery, school, work, relationships, and motivation not just symptom reduction.
SERVICE AREA
Psychiatry services for South Jersey families including:
Cherry Hill
Voorhees
Marlton
Medford
Haddonfield
Moorestown
Mount Laurel