Who will I see?
Dr. Daud Panah, who provides our psychiatry and addiction medicine care. Visits are available in person in Atlantic City or by telehealth anywhere in New Jersey.
• Mood, focus and habits / Psychiatry
Depression
Depression can show up as sadness, but also as exhaustion, poor sleep, losing interest in things you used to care about, or finding it hard to concentrate. It is a medical condition, and it is common.
Care is provided by Dr. Daud Panah, who practices psychiatry and addiction medicine. Visits are in person in Atlantic City or by telehealth across New Jersey.
If you are in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
What this can be
What can contribute.
Depression often has more than one contributor. Some are medical, which is why an evaluation looks beyond mood alone.
Life stress and loss
Grief, conflict, work or financial strain.
Thyroid disease
An underactive thyroid can cause low mood and fatigue.
Anemia
Low red blood cells can cause exhaustion that overlaps with depression.
Vitamin D or B12 deficiency
Both are linked with low mood and low energy.
Sleep apnea and poor sleep
Chronic poor sleep can mimic or worsen depression.
Substance use
Alcohol and other substances can deepen low mood.
Medication effects
Some medications list mood changes as a side effect.
Family history
Depression can run in families.
What we measure
What an evaluation involves.
Each of these can mimic or worsen depression, so we check for them.
Full psychiatric evaluation
Your symptoms, history, sleep, relationships, safety and goals, discussed with Dr. Daud Panah.
Medication history
Every medication you've tried, with the dose and how long you took it.
Thyroid screening
TSH, with free T4 if needed.
Anemia screening
A complete blood count.
Vitamin D and B12
Two common deficiencies linked with low mood.
Sleep apnea screening
With a referral for a sleep study when indicated.
Substance use screening
Asked plainly and without judgment, because it affects which treatments are safe and effective.
Treatment-resistant depression
When an antidepressant hasn't helped.
Treatment-resistant depression means you've taken an antidepressant at an adequate dose, for an adequate length of time, and haven't improved.
This is common. It is not a personal failure, and it doesn't mean nothing will help. It is a reason for a full psychiatric evaluation rather than another refill of the same prescription.
What happens next
Options, depending on what we find.
Next steps depend on the evaluation. They may include starting, adjusting or changing medication, combining medications, treating a medical condition found in your labs, therapy referrals, or treatment for substance use when it's part of the picture.
We talk through the options with you and decide together.
What it costs
Published pricing.
Initial evaluation
$250
Self-pay
Follow-up visit
$150
Self-pay
We accept PPO plans from Aetna, AmeriHealth, Horizon and UnitedHealthcare, plus Medicare. HMO plans are not accepted. Lab and treatment costs depend on what is ordered.
See full pricing →Frequently asked
Common questions.
What happens at the first visit?
A full psychiatric evaluation. We talk about your symptoms, history, sleep, substance use and every medication you've tried, including dose and how long you took it. We may order bloodwork to check for physical causes.
I've tried an antidepressant and it didn't help. What now?
That is common, and it is not a personal failure. If you took a medication at an adequate dose for an adequate length of time without improvement, a psychiatric evaluation is a better next step than another refill. It can lead to a different medication, a change in dose, a combination, or a look at other conditions that may be involved.
Why do you check bloodwork for depression?
Thyroid disease, anemia, and low vitamin D or B12 can each cause or worsen depressive symptoms. Checking them is a routine part of a thorough evaluation.
Can I be seen by telehealth?
Yes. Telehealth visits are available to patients anywhere in New Jersey.
Is this an emergency service?
No. If you are in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 911.
• 6 N Mississippi Ave, Atlantic City
Ready when you are.
Book online or call us. Telehealth visits are available across New Jersey — learn more.