Discussing Depression Treatment Options With Your Psychiatrist

Depression treatment is one of the most common services a psychiatrist provides. Therefore, if you are struggling with depression, you are not alone. If symptoms of depression are interfering with your life and you are considering talking to a psychiatrist about it, here are some helpful things to know.

Understanding depression

Depression can refer to one of a number of depressive mood disorders. They are characterized by symptoms such as extreme sadness, persistent guilt, apathy toward activities one once enjoyed, difficulty making decisions, and low self-esteem. Forms of depression can even manifest physical symptoms such as fatigue and difficulty sleeping.

There are several forms of depression. Some are persistent, like major depressive disorder (MDD); others are situational, like seasonal affective disorder (SAD). However, someone is said to have a clinical form of depression if their symptoms have lasted for weeks and interfere with their ability to function in their daily life. In addition, a depression diagnosis usually requires that the symptoms be out of proportion to what is occurring in the person's life and not be caused by any physical ailment or substance use.

How a psychiatrist treats depression

Only a trained mental health professional can diagnose depression. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. Unlike a psychologist or counselor who uses talk therapy as their main mode of depression treatment, a psychiatrist's primary treatment method involves psychiatric medication such as antidepressants or antianxiety medications. However, they may also recommend other medical treatments, including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

The consultation and evaluation

Before making treatment recommendations, the psychiatrist will conduct a thorough physical and mental evaluation. The patient should prepare to discuss the details of their symptoms and answer questions about substance use and family history of mental illness. In addition, the psychiatrist must confirm that the symptoms are not the result of a medical condition. Certain conditions, like hormonal imbalances and thyroid disorders, can present as depression.

The patient must tell the psychiatrist about any chronic conditions they have or medications they are taking. Because medication is usually the primary mode of treatment, the psychiatrist will need this information to choose a medication that is likely to be safe and effective for the patient and does not have any harmful drug interactions with something the patient is already taking.

Discussing possible treatment options

Medications like antidepressants are typically the first line of treatment for depression. However, the psychiatrist may also be able to discuss other forms of treatment, such as TMS. Here are some helpful questions to ask when discussing your depression treatment options:

• What are the side effects of the medication/treatment?
• How soon should I expect to notice a difference?
• Are there any alternatives to this medication/treatment?
• How should I take the medication, and when?
• How do most of your patients react to the medication/treatment?
• Where can I learn more about this medication/treatment

Their answers should give you a clearer picture of what to expect. However, many patients have to try more than one medication or treatment before finding the right one.

Psychiatric treatments for depression

Future Psych Solutions offers psychiatric treatment for depression and other mental health disorders. If you or someone you know is struggling, do not wait to seek help. Call our office today to learn more about depression treatment options.

Request an appointment here: https://futurepsychsolutions.com or call Future Psych Solutions at (803) 335-5232 for an appointment in our Columbia office.

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