how do you approach a doctor about depression?!


Question: How do you approach a doctor about depression?
I kno i have depression and was just after some advice on how to approach a doctor about it? I mean like what do i say? And my dad also says i have depression as he has suffered from it his whole life

Answers:

Depression is a quite common illness, and doctors are accustomed to dealing with it so don't be embarrased by it.
If your father has suffered from it, your chances of having it are higher - and treatment does help.

Go to www.beyondblue.org to take a few questionnaires to rate whether you have depression and how bad it is. They also give advice on approaching medical help.

One thing you could do is download and print the questionnaires, complete them and take them to your doctor along with notes on how you are feeling, and how frequent these feelings are and take your notes to the doctor to help you remember.

"White coat syndrome" may kick in otherwise, and once you enter the doctors surgery you forget everything you wanted to say :)

Just be straight with them and say "I think I have depression, what can I do about it"?

Your doctor will probably ask you why you think this, and will ask you questions about how you have been feeling. They will also probably ask about your family history - including the fact that your father has had depression. They may even give you the same questionaires you found on the beyondblue website.

Treatment varies from person to person, but often includes anti-depressent medications such as amitriptiline or Prozac.

Personally, I have been on both and found amitriptiline knocked me out for 20+ hours, where as Prozac worked fantastically and allowed me to function fully at school. It will take a while before you notice the result yourself - but those around you will notice the change a lot faster.

Remember, talk to your family. Your father knows what you are going through so discuss it with him. Let them know if you are in crisis and if you need help.

I went through depression from age 15, and my father has suffered from it his whole life. He went through a period of depression and anxiety when I was young, and has a gap in his memory of about 5 years where he can not remember anything that happened from when I was about 8 to 12. His anxiety also led to obsessive compulsive disorder and as soon as I started experiencing this myself I recognised what was going on and sought help.



Make an appointment, and just tell the doctor. I'm feeling down alot, tired, moody.. Etc. Know that the doctor is there for you not the other way around. You are paying him/ her to help you. Give the dr your symptoms and they will help you find the right medication and care.
Don't be afraid to tell your dr about your depression. They should not look down on you. Do it sooner before later because the longer you go the worse it will get. Good luck :)



You can tell what ishappening to you.Symptoms of depression.
DEPRESSION
Depression is a widespread condition, affecting millions of people, Those suffering from depression can experience intense feelings of sadness, anger, hopelessness, fatigue, and a variety of other symptoms. They may begin to feel useless and even suicidal, losing interest in things and people that they once enjoyed. Depression is often triggered by life circumstances, such as a loss of job, death of a loved one, divorce, or psychological problems such as abuse or low self-esteem.

God apparently intends for us all to live joyful lives. This is not easy for someone suffering from situational depression, but it can be remedied through God's gifts of prayer, Bible study and application, support groups, fellowship among believers, confession, forgiveness, and counselling. We must make the conscious effort to help them and take them through these. Feelings of depression can often be solved when those suffering with depression move the focus from themselves to Christ and others.

Clinical depression is a physical condition that must be diagnosed by a physician. It may not be caused by unfortunate life circumstances .Depression can sometimes be caused by a physical disorder that needs to be treated with medication and counselling. We should go for a medical check up.

We should consider letting God truly be God in our life, He will prove how big He really is, “for nothing is impossible with God” (Bible). Perhaps scars from past hurts have resulted in a sense of rejection or abandonment. That may lead to self-pity, anger, bitterness, vengeful thoughts, or unhealthy fears that have caused problems in some of our most important relationships and can lead to suicide.

No matter how bad things are in our life, there is a God of love who is waiting for them. Jesus endured all this so that they might have all sins forgiven. Whatever weight of guilt we carry, if we receive Him as our Saviour, He will forgive. God stands ready to repair what is “broken,” namely, the life we have now, the life we want to end by suicide. Jesus is calling us,“Come Unto me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will you rest”Contact for further help: interact24@yahoo.in



well , i think you need to approach the doctor in a direct way, then tell them the story why.




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