Depression is a serious medical illness that affects millions of Americans every year. Depression affects the thoughts, moods, feelings and actions of the individual and touches every aspect of her life. The cause is unknown, but heredity and stress may cause chemical imbalances in the brain that lead to depression. Treatment with medications, psychotherapy or both is effective in 80 percent of all cases of clinical depression according to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Diagnosis is based on a person's medical and mental health history and a physical examination to rule out underlying physical causes.
Step 1
Make an appointment as soon as possible if you believe that you are depressed. If you wait until you are deeply depressed, it will take longer to recover. Bring a friend or family member with you if possible.
Step 2
Make a list of your symptoms and bring it to your appointment so that you do not forget to mention something that may be important. Your doctor will need to know about changes in your behavior, feelings or thoughts that have lasted longer than two weeks. Typical symptoms of depression include either sleeping or eating too much or too little; weight gain or loss; fatigue; problems concentrating or remembering; feelings of worthlessness, guilt or self-hate; isolation; loss of interest in activities that were once pleasurable; irritability, anxiety or restlessness; feelings of hopelessness or helplessness; and thoughts of death or suicide.
Step 3
Be frank about your feelings and symptoms when talking to your doctor. Be prepared to talk about the severity of the symptoms, the frequency and the duration. Give concrete examples, such as "For the past two weeks, I have not felt like getting out of bed almost every day, and I have called in sick twice even though I was not sick," or "My husband and I argue every day because he says I'm not taking care of the house or the children."
Step 4
Tell your doctor about any personal life events that might have triggered depression. They may include ending a relationship, a divorce, job loss or job change, moving, giving birth or losing a loved one. If you are experiencing excess stress at your job, school or at home, let your doctor know. Although the cause of depression is not known, it may be linked to stress or negative life events.
Step 5
Ask questions about medications that your doctor may prescribe for you, including common side effects, possible risks, when it should start working, possible alternatives and how long you will need to take the medication.
Step 6
Discuss lifestyle changes that might improve your quality of life, including exercise, diet and quitting smoking or drinking. If you are concerned about your ability to make necessary changes, mention it to your doctor. If, for example, you are secretly drinking large amounts of alcohol and do not feel that you can stop drinking by yourself, inpatient treatment may be appropriate.
Step 7
Request the type of treatment that you feel would be most effective for you, but be open-minded if your doctor suggests trying something else first. Expect to be a partner in setting up your treatment plan.
Step 8
Ask for any referrals that may be necessary, including a referral to a mental health provider.
Things You'll Need
- Pen
- Paper
Member Comments