Depression Treatments: Questions to Ask Your Practitioner
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This article is from the Health
Articles series.
Depression Treatments: Questions to Ask Your Practitioner
Depression can turn your whole world upside down. It can make it
harder to function, and depression can make you confused. Even so,
there are many things about your depression and your treatment that
you need to know.
Your health-care practitioner can provide you with this
information, but it can difficult to remember to ask the right
questions. The following is a list of questions that you may want to
ask you health-care practitioner, so you'll have the information you
need.
Not all of the questions are relevant to everyone with depression,
however, they are simply your guide for speaking with your health-care
professional.
Questions to Ask
My Depression
Am I clinically depressed? Why or why not?
What type of depression do I have?
Treatment
What kinds of treatments are available to me?
What type of treatment or combination of treatments do you suggest? Why?
How often should I come to see you?
What other health-care professionals should I see?
How do I know if my treatment plan is working?
What is the next step if my treatment is not working?
Medication
Which medication would be best for me? Why?
How much of this medication should I take and how often?
What are the benefits of this medication?
What side effects should I expect from this medication?
How long might these side effects last?
What should I do if I can't tolerate this medication?
Do I need to do anything different while taking this medication? (special diet, blood tests, avoid alcohol, avoid certain other medications)
What if I forget a dose?
How long will I need to take the medication?
Can I still take my other medications?
What if I become pregnant while on this medication?
Can I breastfeed while taking this medication?
How will this medication affect my other medical conditions?
Will this medication interfere with my sex life?
How will I know if the medication is working?
What is the next step if the medication isn't working?
Psychotherapy
Do you think I would benefit from psychotherapy? In what way?
What type of psychotherapy do you suggest? Why?
Who should I go to for psychotherapy?
Is there a waiting list for psychotherapy?
How long should I undergo psychotherapy?
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Would ECT be a good treatment option for me? Why or why not?
What are the benefits of ECT?
What are the side effects of ECT?
Self-Help
What self-help options do I have?
How can I access self-help options?
Where can I find out more information about self-help and depression?
Other Treatments or Therapies
What are my other treatment options?
Do you think I would benefit from any of these options?
Are they available?
Where can I find out more information about my other treatment options?
Emergency Situations
What should I do if I'm feeling suicidal?
Do you have telephone numbers of agencies that help suicidal people?
What if I feel manic or have an intolerable side effect?
Resources
What other resources are available to me? How do I access them?
Who can I contact for more information?
Where can my friends and family go for support and advice?
Are there any books, web sites, support groups, or organizations that you recommend?
The Future
What should I expect in the next few days, weeks, months, and years?
How long will it take until I am feeling better?
What happens if my depression returns?
How will my depression affect my career?
How will my depression affect my relationships?
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