Why Talk To A Doctor About Suicidal Thoughts
Its understandable to be nervous about telling a doctor or a mental health professional about suicidal thoughts. You want to be treated with respect and dignity not hospitalized against your will or treated condescendingly.
However, clinicians mental health professionals and your primary care physician cant help you heal if they dont know that youre struggling. Most doctors see it as a positive sign when you open up about these difficult feelings. Its more concerning when you hide them.
When you talk with a health care professional about suicidal thoughts, they can help you heal from the underlying cause of these thoughts and impulses, whether its a mental health condition like depression, overwhelming stress, recent life changes, substance misuse or another concern.
What A Therapist Looks For
An evaluation with a mental health professional can give you more answers about your mental health, including a formal diagnosis.
To understand your symptoms and see whether theyre indicative of depression, a therapist will want to know how long your symptoms have lasted and how severely they impact your daily life. A major depressive episode must have lasted for at least two weeks for a therapist to make a diagnosis of a mental health condition.
To make an accurate and informed diagnosis, your therapist will also want to rule out other causes of your symptoms. They will likely ask you about:
- Grief from a recent loss
- Past or recent trauma, including physical or psychological abuse or injury
- Recent life changes, like pregnancy or divorce
- Substance abuse problems
- Your mental health history
Receive Treatment For Your Depression
If you believe you have depression, you are not alone. Since depression is a common condition, experts have developed multiple treatment options to help patients deal with a wide range of symptoms, life experiences, and barriers. The only way to know how to treat your depression is to speak with your doctor.
If you believe you have depression, schedule an appointment with a mental health professional as soon as possible. Your doctor can evaluate your condition, determine which treatment options are right for you, and develop a treatment plan to relieve your symptoms. Through this treatment, you can gain the skills and strategies you need to cope with difficult moments and restore your quality of life.
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Depression Versus Sadness: When To Talk With Your Doctor
Most people will have depressive periods or times of sadness throughout their lives. For someone experiencing these feelings, it can be difficult to know when to seek help.
If you find yourself fighting early morning wake-ups or losing your appetite, Joseph Garbely, DO, DFASAM, a psychiatrist and the Chief Medical Officer at Caron Treatment Centers in Reading, PA, recommends scheduling time with your general practitioner. Trouble sleeping and appetite fluctuations are often the first symptoms to take root of Major Depressive Disorder, more commonly known as depression.
These are early signs that you need to seek attention, Dr. Garbely says. While many people think they need a specialist, primary care physicians are well-trained in dealing with depression and anxiety. If they feel a case is more complicated, they may bring in a psychiatrist to manage medication and a psychologist to provide psychotherapy.
Depression is a mental health disorder affecting more than 16 million people in the United States alone.
According to Dr. Garbely, anyone displaying four or more of the following symptoms for more than two weeks should reach out to their physician for guidance.
- Depressed mood
- Appetite disturbance
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How Will The Doctor Diagnose My Anxiety
You will discuss your symptoms with the doctor: what they are, how they interfere with your life, and how long youve been struggling with them.
The doctor will then likely perform a psychological evaluation and compare your symptoms to criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , published by the American Psychiatric Association.
With that information, your doctor will diagnose you with a specific type of anxiety and recommend a medication to help treat your symptoms.
Get Your Antidepressant Prescription Online
Whether you want to speak with a doctor about a new prescription, or you are in need of a refill, you can get your antidepressants prescribed online by a primary care physician.
PlushCare provides you with access to a network of board certified doctors who are qualified to assess your physical and mental health remotely.
If they find that you may benefit from an antidepressant prescription they will electronically send your prescription to the pharmacy of your choice.
To book an online appointment, click here.
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What Should You Not Tell Your Doctor
Here is a list of items that can stop being said by patients. Something which is not 100% honest. Loud, hostile, or sarcastic, something condescending. When we are off-the-clock, something relevant to your health care.
Complaining about other clinicians and everything else is an immense overreaction.
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Punggol is a new town teeming with young working families. Not surprisingly, common triggers of depression our clients have experienced include:
- Childbirth
- Highly stressful work environment .
- Traumatic childhood experiences that can interfere with the ability to form stable and trusting connections as a person enters adulthood
Symptoms | Treatment | Suicide | Community Resources
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When Are Antidepressants Prescribed
Antidepressants are commonly used to treat depression and anxiety, among other conditions.
The American Psychiatric Association defines depression as a very serious medical illness that negatively affects the way you think, act, as well as how you feel. When left untreated, it can greatly impact your overall quality of life, making it difficult to function or do the things that you used to enjoy.
Depression affects millions of Americans each year. In fact, major depression is one of the most commonly seen mental health conditions in the United States.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America states that major depressive disorder affects 16.1 million American adults. Thats 6.7% of the adult population.
With this being such a widespread condition, we have to talk about what depression really is, how its affecting Americans on a daily basis, and the best channels to receive treatment.
Can Primary Care Physicians Prescribe Antidepressants
Leah McCabe
Leah McCabe
Leah likes writing about health and science subjects. Through her writing she hopes to help people of all backgrounds have equal access to information and quality healthcare.
Dr. Katalin Karolyi
Dr. Katalin Karolyi
Katalin Karolyi, M.D. earned her medical degree at the University of Debrecen. After completing her residency program in pathology at the Kenezy Hospital, she obtained a postdoctoral position at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Orlando, Florida.
Warning: The use of certain antidepressants to treat major depressive disorder in adolescents may increase the risk of suicidal ideations and behaviors. While taking antidepressants mental health can change in unexpected ways. You should call a doctor right away if you experience any suicidal thoughts. Always talk to a doctor about the risks and benefits of taking antidepressant medication before beginning treatment.
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Preparing For A Health Appointment
Talking to health professionals may be intimidating, but you and your health professional do need to work together. Remember, your doctor can’t provide the best information if they don’t know what the problem is, and they can’t offer the best-suited treatment options if they dont know your goals or concerns. Here is a checklist to help keep you on track during your appointments.
Before the appointment
PlanThink of what you want to tell your doctor or what you want to learn from your health professional at this appointment. Decide what is the most important to you. If you have particular questions, write them down. You can bring your list to the appointment. If you take any medication, including over-the-counter medication, plan to bring it with you.
During the appointment
ReportTell your doctor what you want to talk about during this appointment
Exchange informationMake sure you tell the doctor whats wrong. It may be helpful to bring in a self-test youve completed or a diary of symptoms. Remember to explain how your problem affects your day-to-day life. You can bring a loved one with you, and they can help describe changes theyve noticed.
ParticipateTalk with your doctor about the different ways to handle your health problem. Make sure you understand the positive and negative features of your choices. Ask as many questions as you need.
AgreeBe sure that you and your doctor agree on a treatment plan that you can live with.
What Your Physician Looks For
MISHKANET.COM” alt=”Do i need to see a psychiatrist for depression > MISHKANET.COM”> Your primary care physician can evaluate your physical health to help you understand your symptoms. Theres no lab test to diagnose depression, but physical exams and blood tests can help your doctor better understand whats causing your symptoms.
Your doctor will likely want to do several tests to rules out other causes of depressive feelings, such as:
- Hormonal changes
- Thyroid conditions
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
To treat your depression, your doctor may prescribe you medications to help or refer you to a licensed mental health professional, like a therapist, for more in-depth evaluation and treatment.
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Talking To Your Doctor About Your Mental Health
Talking about mental illness can be hard. There is a stigma that surrounds mental health and mental illness. It can prevent people from getting the support and help they need. But mental illness is a common problem. In fact, about 1 in 5 people will experience some sort of mental illness in their lifetime. So, dont be afraid to reach out for help. Your family doctor is a good place to start.
For some people, the thought of talking to their doctor about their mental health is scary. But getting treatment for mental illness is important. It rarely goes away on its own. Left untreated, it can get worse, lead to other health problems, or last for a long time. Deciding to talk to your doctor about your mental health is the first step on your journey to feeling better.
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Antidepressants take some time to reach their full potential, which is usually about 4 to 6 weeks. A patient needs to give informed, verbal consent that they understand this type of medication wont operate like an antibiotic, Dr. Garbely states. Fortunately, the benefits of therapy are more immediate.
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Reasons To Consult With A Mental Health Professional
The Department of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester School of Medicine provides the following top 5 reasons to consult with a mental health professional.
- The first is when you have thoughts, emotions or behaviors that are out of control, especially when they are affecting your relationships, your work or your sense of well-being. Never feel embarrassed to ask for help at times when you are upset or depressed.
- Next is when you are struggling to deal with lifes painful challenges such as a major illness, the loss of a loved one, divorce or job problems. These issues may be your own, but could also include those of others you care about.
- The third is when the use of alcohol or drugs interferes with your health, your emotions, your relationships, your job or your ability to fulfill your daily responsibilities.
- Another is when you are confused, fraught with emotions and need the perspectives of a caring yet unbiased person to help sort among difficult choices.
- And lastly, when you feel that life is no longer worth living, that you are hopeless and have reached the end of the line, and you would rather die than feel the pain of the present. In the midst of such distress, you are not prepared to make life-or-death decisions. Ask for help.
Talking To Your Gp About Depression
When you’re depressed it can be difficult to imagine that treatment can actually help. The sooner you seek treatment, the sooner your depression will improve.
Conditions such as an underactive thyroid can cause symptoms of depression. Your GP will do a urine and blood test to rule this out. There are no physical tests for depression. Your GP will tell if you have depression by asking you lots of questions. You will be asked about your health and how it is affecting you mentally and physically.
Try to be as open and honest as you can be with your answers. Describe your symptoms and how they’re affecting you.
Any discussion you have with your GP will be confidential. If you have thoughts or urges to harm yourself or others your GP would speak to your family and friends.
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What To Expect When Seeing A Doctor For Depression
In the United States, over 7% of adults and children experience depression within any two-week period. In fact, depression is one of the most common chronic health conditions listed by doctors on their patients’ medical records.
While depression is common, if you think you have it, you may be unsure about where to begin. Here are the steps to getting your mental health treated, so you can feel well.
Signs And Symptoms Of Depression
Although there are many types of depression, there are certain symptoms that are common across depressive disorders. These symptoms provide the foundation for depression self-evaluations and diagnostic processes used by mental health professionals.
For example, the PHQ-9 often asks questions such as How often have you been bothered by feeling tired or having little energy? and How often have you caught yourself speaking or moving slower than usual? to assess fatigue, which is a hallmark symptom of depression. The more severe the depression, the more frequently these symptoms tend to occur.
You may have depression if you have experienced at least some of the following symptoms nearly every day for at least two weeks:
- Feelings of sadness, anxiety, or emptiness
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Loss of interest in activities and hobbies
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
If you experience suicidal thoughts, you are not alone. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 273-8255 to speak with a trained counselor and find help near you.
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Common Symptoms Of Depression
You are likely to be depressed if have the following for more than 2 weeks. The more symptoms you experience, the more likely you are depressed.
- Lousy mood
- Nearly every day and all the time
- Other similar feelings: sadness, tearfulness, hopelessness and feeling empty
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Treatment Options For Depression
Optimal treatment methods for depression have changed in recent years. Its no longer good enough to provide patients with a pill that stifles their symptoms. Depression treatment needs to focus on bringing you back to complete wellness, both physically and mentally.
Relapse rates for depression are staggeringly high , which is why its so important to develop a treatment plan that brings you back to complete health. Even lingering low-level symptoms can profoundly impact your brain, dramatically increasing your likelihood of retriggering depression.
To have the best chance of beating depression for good, many experts recommend seeking out treatment for at least nine months. If youve experienced chronic depression or repeated bouts, you might need therapy for two years or longer to sufficiently prevent a relapse.
See A Mental Health Professional
If your doctor diagnoses you with depression, you may then be referred to a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will further evaluate your mood and determine whether or not medication is needed.
Some people will do fine being treated by their primary care physician. Others may benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, especially if symptoms are not improving with the first trial of an antidepressant or the depression is severe from the start.
Research 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.
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