Can I See a Family Doctor for Depression

FatCamera / EyeEm / Getty Images

In the United States, over 7% of adults and children (over the age of 12) experience depression within whatsoever two-week period. In fact, depression is one of the most mutual chronic wellness atmospheric condition listed by doctors on their patients' medical records.

While depression is common, if you remember y'all have it, you may exist unsure near where to begin. Here are the steps to getting your mental health treated, so you can experience well.

See Your Primary Care Doctor

If you doubtable yous may have depression, your offset visit should be to your family dr. or primary care dr. for a thorough checkup. While most doctors practice screen for depression, information technology'due south all-time to tell your doctor your concerns nearly your mood. Your dr. is there to help yous, so don't concur back.

Questions Your Doc May Inquire

• Are you lot sleeping more than usual or having difficulty sleeping?
• Are you having trouble concentrating or making decisions?
• Do you think of death or have thoughts of suicide?
• How long have yous been feeling pitiful or down?
• How is your appetite? Have yous lost weight or gained weight?
• How is your energy level?

Your answers to these questions (and others) volition help your md pinpoint whether or not you have major depressive disorder, often referred to merely as depression. Before confirming a diagnosis, however, your doctor will need to rule out other health problems.

Symptoms of several medical conditions tin can mimic those of low. This is particularly true in older adults with new-onset depression. These weather condition include:

• Anemia
• Calcium or other electrolyte abnormalities
• Low blood sugar
• Hypothyroidism
• Kidney or liver problems
• Vitamin deficiencies (for example, vitamin B12 deficiency)

While blood tests cannot be used to diagnose depression, they can rule out some of these above conditions. Less commonly, your physician may order an imaging test, like a brain MRI. This tin rule out structural brain diseases, like stroke, especially if the doctor notices evidence of cognitive problems or neurological signs upon concrete test.

Some medications may also cause symptoms of depression as a side effect. Exist sure to tell your physician all of the medications you are taking, including both prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

Lastly, note that sometimes other mental health weather condition tin can exist hard to differentiate from depression. For instance, bipolar disorder may exist misdiagnosed initially equally depression.

Often this misdiagnosis occurs because symptoms of mania may be overlooked, equally depressive symptoms are the ones that feel so bad and offset prompt the doctor visit. Substance use, either intoxication or withdrawal, can also cause symptoms that overlap with depression. Try to remain patient as your doctor sorts through your symptoms.

Run across a Mental Health Professional

If your doctor diagnoses you with depression, you may then be referred to a mental wellness professional person, such as a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will further evaluate your mood and make up one's mind whether or not medication is needed.

Some people will exercise fine beingness treated by their primary care physician. Others may benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, especially if symptoms are non improving with the first trial of an antidepressant or the depression is severe from the start.

Enquiry suggests that the combination of medication and therapy is most effective for treating depression. If you would benefit from psychotherapy, your psychiatrist may handle this as well, although some elect to refer patients to another mental health professional, like a psychologist.

Treatment

It's important to note the treatment of depression is not as simple every bit receiving a prescription for an antidepressant. The individual causes of depression are diverse and poorly understood. The medications used to treat it are just equally diverse, then matching a drug with an individual is non a clear-cut process.

When your doc chooses your antidepressant, they will consider many factors to endeavour to make this friction match. These include your specific symptoms, any co-existing illnesses yous have, your tolerance of side furnishings, and any medications you have previously tried.

Treatment tin take some time. It typically takes a few weeks to feel the full consequence of your medication. Antidepressants typically take at least iv weeks to begin working and psychotherapy typically does not produce significant results for at least iv to six weeks, depending on the blazon of therapy.

Exist certain to communicate regularly with your doctor, specially if you are experiencing bothersome side effects. If you are noticing very little or no improvement in your symptoms later two to 4 weeks, your doctor may increase your dose, add another medication to increase its issue, or switch your medication.

Depression Discussion Guide

Get our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctor'due south appointment.

Download PDF

A Word From Verywell

The most important matter to remember about seeking treatment for your depression symptoms is merely to speak upwards and ask. Low is non a sign of weakness or laziness. It'due south a sign that something is out of balance. With proper treatment, which usually entails the two-pronged arroyo of medication and psychotherapy, you can feel well over again.

Thanks for your feedback!

Thanks, {{course.email}}, for signing up.

There was an mistake. Please attempt again.

Verywell Mind uses just high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts inside our manufactures. Read our editorial process to learn more than about how we fact-cheque and proceed our content authentic, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. Centers for Affliction Control and Prevention. Depression.

2. Maurer DM. Screening for depression. Am Fam Md. 2012;85(2):139-44.

3. National Institute of Mental Health. Low.

4. National Found of Mental Wellness. Mental health medications.

medinacasly1981.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.verywellmind.com/which-doctor-is-best-for-treating-depression-1065269

Share this post