Mood & Anxiety Disorders
Depression. Anxiety. And More.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This is one of the more common reasons women come to my practice. Many of the women I see have been on the same psychiatric medication for years, sometimes through multiple providers, without anyone reassessing whether the current plan is still appropriate. Part of our work is evaluating that honestly. Sometimes the original diagnosis was incomplete. Sometimes the medication was right for the time but circumstances have changed. Sometimes a different class of medication or a different approach is warranted. The goal is an accurate understanding of where you are now and a treatment plan built around that, rather than the inertia of what was prescribed years ago.
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This is what I hear most often from women who come to my practice. The first SSRI took the edge off. Therapy helped, but the underlying experience did not fully shift. The combination worked for a while, then stopped. There are a few possible explanations. The original diagnosis may have been incomplete, with co-occurring conditions like ADHD, PMDD, or perimenopausal mood changes going unaddressed. The psychiatric medication may not have been optimized. Or the treatment may have addressed the symptoms without addressing the contributing factors. A thorough re-evaluation can clarify what is actually going on and what a more complete treatment plan would involve.
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Sometimes, yes. Several conditions are routinely diagnosed as depression or anxiety for years before the underlying picture becomes clear. ADHD in women presents with symptoms that overlap significantly with anxiety, including overwhelm, restlessness, and trouble focusing. PMDD looks like cyclical depression and anxiety but follows the menstrual cycle. Perimenopause can produce new or worsening mood and anxiety symptoms in women with no prior psychiatric history. Bipolar II is one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in women and is commonly treated as recurrent depression for years before being recognized. Part of a thorough evaluation is considering these possibilities rather than assuming the most obvious diagnosis is the right one.
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No. The decision about whether to take medication is yours, and many of the women I work with come in uncertain about it, or specifically wanting to explore other options first. During your evaluation we will discuss evidence-based treatment approaches including therapy, medication, lifestyle interventions, and various combinations. I will share what the research shows and what I would recommend clinically based on your situation, but the decision is always yours. What I will not do is dismiss your symptoms because you are reluctant about medication, and what I will not do is pressure you toward a treatment that does not feel right.
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Yes. I offer in-person sessions at my office in Downtown Campbell, California, conveniently located for women in San Jose, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Santa Clara, and the broader South Bay. In-person psychiatric care is increasingly difficult to find in this part of California, and many of the women I work with specifically want that continuity. Telehealth is also available throughout California for those whose schedules, geography, or preferences make virtual care a better fit, and many patients use a combination of the two. For more information check out Services + Fees page.
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Your PCP is a reasonable starting point, and many women do well with antidepressants prescribed in primary care. A psychiatrist brings additional depth in a few specific areas. Diagnostic precision is one. Mental health symptoms often overlap, and what looks like depression may involve ADHD, anxiety, or hormonal shifts that respond to a different approach. Psychopharmacology is another. Years of specialized training translate to a more nuanced approach to medication selection, dosing, and how psychiatric medication interacts with pregnancy, postpartum, or perimenopause. The third is integration of therapy. I offer evidence-based therapy as part of psychiatric care rather than relying on medication alone, including approaches adapted for ADHD and for women navigating relational dynamics that complicate mood and anxiety. If you have already started a medication from your PCP and it is not quite right, or something about the picture does not feel complete, a psychiatric consultation can help clarify whether the current plan is on track or whether a different direction is warranted.