DEPRESSION
Depression is a mood disorder that can be treated. Professional help is essential to ease symptoms and regain a more positive outlook on life.
Depression can cause someone to feel persistently sad and lose interest or pleasure in their usual activities. According to the World Health Organization, it is the most common health condition worldwide, and the Portuguese Psychologists Association estimates that it affects around 10% of people in Portugal.
Feeling sad or frustrated at times does not mean you have depression. It is normal to feel low during challenging or stressful life events.
However, depression is more prolonged and can present as a persistently sad, anxious, irritable, empty or apathetic mood, combined with a loss of interest in activities that previously brought enjoyment, and a lack of energy or motivation for everyday tasks. Appetite may change too — some people feel the urge to eat more, while others eat much less. Sleep problems are also common, including insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep) or hypersomnia (sleeping far more than usual).
People with depression may also experience feelings of guilt, worthlessness and hopelessness. It is common to struggle to focus on daily tasks at home, work or school, and to feel unable to make decisions. Some people become noticeably more agitated or move more slowly than usual — changes that are often visible to those close to them.
Physical symptoms frequently linked with depression include headaches and digestive problems that do not improve with standard treatment.
Early Diagnosis
Depression can be treated at any stage, but early diagnosis greatly increases the success of treatment.
Psychological support has been shown to be highly effective for all types of depression (mild, moderate or severe). Speaking to a psychologist can help reach a diagnosis, address underlying issues, and build the skills needed to cope and recover.
In some cases, alongside therapy, it may be necessary to see a psychiatrist if a medical treatment plan and medication are required.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND DIGITAL SECURITY
MedicalPort respects the protection of personal data and fully complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to ensure maximum confidentiality.
ONLINE DEPRESSION CONSULTATION
The consultation can be carried out online via our Stuward telemedicine and telehealth platform, designed specifically for doctors, therapists, psychologists and other healthcare professionals. This platform ensures the highest level of data security, guaranteeing full protection of clients’ digital information.
Using the platform does not involve any additional costs and does not require downloading any application — all you need is an internet connection.
Doctors who perform this medical procedure
Filipe Azevedo
Médico especialista em psiquiatria (OM 64955). No seu percurso académico e profissional, participou como autor e co-autor em múltiplos trabalhos científicos apresentados em congressos nacionais e internacionais. Frequentou várias especializações na área da Psiquiatria e em várias instituições nacionais e internacionais, incluindo a European Psychiatric Association, a Sociedade Portuguesa de Psiquiatria e Saúde Mental, a British Neuropsychiatry Association, a Fundação Champalimaud, entre muitas outras. As suas principais áreas de interesse são: Depressão, Ansiedade, Burn-Out, e Perturbação da Personalidade.
Psicóloga Clínica e da Saúde| Neuropsicóloga | Psicóloga da Psinor
Cédula Profissional 6716
Licenciada pela Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação da Universidade do Porto e Pós-graduada em Neuropsicologia Clínica e em Terapia de Casal e Sexologia Clínica, encontrando-se a realizar Doutoramento em Ciências Forenses.
Tem formação em Terapias Cognitivo-Comportamentais de 3ª geração. Membro da Sociedade Portuguesa de Neuropsicologia. Foi docente convidada na Escola Superior de Saúde. Atualmente exerce funções enquanto psicóloga clínica (individual e de casal) e formadora em domínios técnicos.
Psicóloga
Cédula Profissional 14426
Mestre em Psicologia pela Faculdade de Psicologia da Universidade de Lisboa, com formação avançada em Psicoterapia Cognitivo-Comportamental.
Mestrado em Saúde Pública, com especialização em promoção da saúde, pela Universidade Nova de Lisboa, e licenciatura em Dietética e Nutrição pelo Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa.
As suas áreas de intervenção e interesse incluem a promoção do bem-estar psicossocial e os distúrbios do comportamento alimentar.
Psicóloga Clínica
Cédula Profissional 25389
Mestre em Psicologia Clínica da Saúde e da Doença. Experiência profissional em contexto de consultório clínico privado com população adulta. Actualmente a frequentar a formação especializada em Terapias Cognitivas Comportamentais e Integrativas na APTCCI desde 2023.
Membro da Ordem dos Psicólogos desde 2020.
Áreas de intervenção e interesse em ansiedade, depressão, luto, dificuldades intra e interpessoais.
Psychiatry
Doctor with clinical practice in Psychiatry.
Specialist Training Doctor in Psychiatry and Mental Health at the Psychiatry and Mental Health Department of the Lisbon North Hospital Centre.
Integrated Master’s Degree in Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine of Girona.
Lecturer at the University Clinic of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology of the Faculty of Medicine of Lisbon.
Member of the Portuguese Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health.
Postgraduate Degree in Cognitive Behavioural Therapies with Adults from InsPsic.
Postgraduate Degree in Sexology from Inspsic.
Member of the Clinical Sexology Team at the Psychiatry and Mental Health Department of the Lisbon North Hospital Centre.
Postgraduate Course in Psychopharmacology in Clinical Practice.
Areas of expertise:
Anxiety; Depression; Stress and Burnout; Sleep; Personality; Psychotic Disorders; Sexology; Dementias; Substance Use
Rafaela Simões
Clinical Psychologist
Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of East London.
Master’s degree in Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, with a Postgraduate specialisation in Adult Psychotherapy and Neuropsychology.
Areas of practice: schizophrenia, depression and anxiety.
