Children, Adolescents, and Adults
Depression Treatment in Manchester, NH
Depression rarely announces itself the way people expect.
A child who stops wanting to play. A teenager who seems fine at school but withdraws from everyone at home. An adult who is technically getting through the day but has not felt like themselves in months.
In my years treating patients across every age group, I have learned that depression is often quieter, and more easily missed, than most people realize.
That is exactly why an accurate evaluation matters, and why our team at Serene Behavioral Healthcare is built to catch it at every stage of life.
Your Care Team
I am Dr. Lionel Pereira, a Board Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and the founder of Serene Behavioral Healthcare. Our practice treats depression across every stage of life, from young children through adulthood, through a team that includes board-certified nurse practitioners seeing patients in person and via telehealth.
Meet our full team for complete provider bios and credentials.
Conditions We Treat Under the Depression Umbrella
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
- Postpartum Depression
- Seasonal Affective Disorder
- Depression Related to Grief or Life Transitions
- Depression Co-Occurring with Anxiety, ADHD, or Trauma
How We Approach Depression Treatment
Depression does not look the same in every patient, so treatment starts with a thorough evaluation, not a one-size-fits-all plan.
Our approach typically includes:
Signs and Symptoms of Depression
Depression does not always look like sadness on the surface. In my practice, I see it show up differently depending on age, which is part of why an accurate evaluation matters so much.
In young children, I often see:
- Irritability or frequent tantrums rather than visible sadness
- Loss of interest in play or favorite activities
- Changes in appetite or sleep
- Frequent complaints of physical symptoms like stomachaches, with no medical cause
In adolescents, common signs include:
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Irritability, anger, or sensitivity to criticism
- Declining grades or loss of interest in school
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Low energy, low motivation, or a persistent sense of hopelessness
- In some cases, thoughts of self-harm or suicide, which should always be taken seriously
In adults, depression often presents as:
- Persistent low mood or loss of interest in things once enjoyed
- Fatigue or low energy most of the day
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide, which should always be taken seriously
If these patterns sound familiar, whether in yourself or your child, that is a good reason to schedule an evaluation rather than wait to see if it resolves on its own. Early treatment can change the entire trajectory.
Why Patients Choose Serene Behavioral Healthcare
Patients and families come to us because they want providers who take depression seriously and treat it with both clinical rigor and genuine warmth.
Here is what sets our care apart:
- Board certified providers with specialized training across the full age spectrum, from early childhood through adulthood
- A collaborative, patient and family centered approach where you are an informed partner in the treatment plan
- Evidence-based treatment, grounded in current clinical guidelines rather than trends
- Both in-person and telehealth options, so care fits your schedule and location
- A calm, welcoming environment designed to put patients at ease when talking about a difficult topic