Your depression is as unique as you are. And you are the most knowledgeable person when it comes to talking about your symptoms. In order for your doctor to tailor treatment to fit your needs, you must provide all relevant details of your health history, including other medical conditions or medications that you take.
It is also important that you share all of your depression symptoms - the ones you feel emotionally, the ones you feel physically, and if you have noticed any changes in your thinking or behaviour. Your doctor will make a diagnosis based on your symptoms. For more information on how doctors diagnose depression, click here.
Your doctor should not judge you for expressing concerns about your own emotional well-being. Doctors strive to help patients feel better - emotionally, behaviourally, cognitively, and physically. And since depression is a medical condition that can affect your physical and emotional health, it is crucial to open up this dialogue.Together with your doctor, you can begin to work through depression and to reconnect with the things that are important in your life.
There are a lot of things to discuss, so when you make your appointment, let the secretary or office know that you will need extra time with the doctor.
With enough information, you and your doctor can work together to choose treatment options and the medication that will be best for you. For information on the different symptoms of depression, see our Symptom Checker. And for tips to help talk to your doctor, consult our Doctor Discussion Guide.
For more information on depression and its management, visit www.depressionhurts.ca.
