"For example, the herbs comfrey and kava can cause serious harm to the liver," states NCCAM's web site. The doctor will ask you a lot of follow-up questions and may begin you on a course of medication or refer you to a psychiatrist. Your doctor can help you manage medication side effects. Make sure to take your list of symptoms, including the basic information on them, to your appointment with you. Use your time with your doctor to make sure you fully understand the basics of. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. But I am unsure how I'd go about requesting a psychiatrist, if anyone talked to their doctor about their depression could I know how you introduced it? Once you get the conversation going, it may easier to open up about your depression symptoms in more detail. "Doctors may not be licensed therapists, but every primary care physician who has been practicing for a number of years is a bit of a therapist because we've heard it all," Kaminetsky says. If you feel uncomfortable with something your doctor or his or her staff has said or done, be direct. Copyright American Academy of Family Physicians. National Library of Medicinewww.medlineplus.gov, National Association for Continence 5 doctor answers 14 doctors weighed in Dr. Steven Reidbord answered Psychiatry 38 years experience Professional eval: "depressed" is a feeling. Your self-esteem might be low, too, with feelings of worthlessness or misplaced guilt creeping into your everyday life. But I don't know what to say or what questions to ask. Well send you updates and information about our work and how you can support us. Address any concerns or worries you have in your questions. There are so many factors to consider for people who are sleeping poorly, including stress, depression, menopausal changes, anxiety, or even serious medical conditions like sleep apnea, a chronic condition in which you repeatedly stop breathing throughout the night, leading to daytime sleepiness. This was 3 months ago. Will it affect my sex life at all?. Note if symptoms are connected to specific activities, injuries, times of day, food or beverages, and anything else that exacerbates them. It can make everything seem more difficult, and you might have trouble trying to get help. Read more about depression in older adults. Patient is a UK registered trade mark. The most important thing is that you get help. How do I tell my doctor I'm depressed? An official website of the United States government. Being honest is much better for your health than avoiding the doctor. Although family problems can be painful to discuss, talking about them can help your doctor help you. Just remember that baby steps are still progress in the right direction. ", Undergoing adverse events during childhood, Not having many friends or personal relationships, Having problems thinking, concentrating, or making decisions, Thinking frequently about death or suicide, Not remembering things or appearing to have trouble concentrating, Pacing, wringing their hands, or pulling at their hair. One 2017 study found symptoms of depression decreased when people had nutritional counseling and following a healthier diet for 12 weeks.. It matters to a gynecologist because your lifetime chance of getting sexually transmitted diseases rises with how many partners you've had. Their risk for HIV, hepatitis, and other STDs increase with the number of sexual partners and their sexual preference. What should I do if I miss a dose of my medication? But mental illness is a common problem. If fear of falling is affecting your day-to-day life, let your doctor know. How to Discuss Your Depression With a Doctor Share your symptoms. Tell your doctor you're having trouble sleeping, and whether it's falling asleep or staying asleep that's difficult. Talking about mental illness can be hard. There are a number of things that you can do that will complement your treatment plan. Cuijpers P, Noma H, Karyotaki E, Vinkers CH, Cipriani A, Furukawa TA. How to tell my doctor I think I may be depressed - Quora Content reviewed: Doctors are trained to deal with every kind of medical contingency, so its likely that a symptom that might embarrass you is something your doctor sees regularly. For this reason, it's important to include proven stress management techniques like meditation, guided imagery, and deep breathing in your overall self-care plan. No lab test is available for depression, and no lab test is available to tell if someone is serious about committing suicide. If I give you the pill and you're not good at taking a pill every day, that would change my approach to birth control with somebody," Rankin says. Recommend lifestyle changes that can help improve your mental health, such as exercise. In more moderate to severe cases, exercise can be a beneficial complement to medication and therapy., While researchers are still working to understand the link between diet and depression, there is little doubt that eating well can improve health and well-being. 866-415-8051 (TTY)nimhinfo@nih.govwww.nimh.nih.gov, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism If your doctor prescribes antidepressants, it can take several weeks before you start to notice a difference in how you feel. And if you didn't understand everything? This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Okay so first off, I've been to this doctor before the meds he gave me were for the treatment of anxiety and depression. Help direct you to community resources that are available. At your annual doctor's checkup, you hop up on the exam table and bare your deepest secrets. If you feel you are struggling with your mental wellbeing, the first step to support is usually to visit your GP. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Driving is an important part of everyday life for many people, and making the decision to stop driving can be very difficult. Working from home is a unique but growing work environment. You may think the doctor will look down their nose at certain herbs and supplements, but you need to tell them exactly what you take. Starting this conversation can help you get the help and support that you need to start feeling better. 10 common depression symptoms Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. Be honest with a doctor about any medications you are taking. Keep in mind that these topics concern many older people. National Center on Complementary and Alternative Medicine: "Using Dietary Having a low mood or feeling on edge are common experiences for us all. If you feel like you need to see a therapist or psychiatrist for additional treatments, ask your doctor for a referral. A combination of therapy and medication is often the best way to treat depression. Stress is our bodys response to pressure. Your doctor can help you understand the physiology of dependence and let you know if it can happen with any of the medications you take. 2014;37(2):239-44. doi:10.5665/sleep.3388, Carek PJ, Laibstain SE, Carek SM. How to talk to your GP about your mental health, It's OK to Talk - a new resource promoting good mental health, Registered Charity No. Sleep disturbances are common symptoms of depression, and studies suggest that there may be a reciprocal relationship between them. ", "I feel fatigued and sad almost all of the time. You may think a sleep issue is inconsequential, that it will pass, or that it's a simple factor of aging so you needn't bother the doctor about it. Patients can even have specific conditions for which they shouldn't take an OTC medicine. Others may skip information that they don't think is important. Seeking help is the first step towards recovery, explains Grange. You want to be as specific as possible so say the front of my kneecap is swollen and has throbbing pain instead of something general like I have pain on my leg.. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject. Let your doctor know about your feelings and ask about treatment. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. However, if you or your family notice that you are having problems remembering recent events or thinking clearly, let your doctor know. Alcoholics Anonymous Depression Diagnosis and Screening: What Doctors Look For - WebMD Anyone can have OCD. See below for the kinds of questions you may want to ask. Some basic questions to ask your doctor include: What's the most likely cause of my anxiety? Try these 11 techniques, including dietary changes and supplements. World Psychiatry. 5 Signs You Should Talk With Your Doctor About Depression - AdventHealth A: Your doctor will keep the details of what you talk about private, or confidential. ", "I lack the motivation to see friends or leave my house. Ronn is also part of the adjunct faculty at New York University in nursing. Maybe you tell them you're worried about your 401K rebounding in time for retirement, or your recent new sexual partners. Have an upcoming checkup with your doctor for your depression? A series of questions designed to assess your emotional, physical, and intellectual symptoms. 2018;79(3):17r11470. from the best health experts in the business. Tell your doctor how your symptoms feel. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. How do I tell the doctor that I think I have depression? Online health information can range from excellent to completely false, and its often difficult to tell the difference. Res Soc Work Pract. What if I dont like the way the medication(s) makes me feel? Learn how your doctor can help you get the most from your treatment. The more specific date you can pinpoint, the easier it may be for your doctor to figure out what is causing your symptoms. The same goes for birth control pills. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Can you refer me to someone? Ilya/Stocksy. Read about how to prevent falls and fractures. Tell your doctor if you notice that your symptoms are better or worse at certain times of the day. After divorce, separation, or the death of a spouse, some older people may find themselves dating again, and possibly having sex with a new partner. When your doctor asks if you're taking your cholesterol-lowering statins daily, don't lie and nod your head if you forget three days a week. Are there any research-backed, add-on, or complementary therapies I could use to help manage my depression? Also, ask your doctor about the influence medications or surgery may have on your sex life. Side effects may be perceived as embarrassing (for instance, sexual side effects such as erectile difficulty, or the inability to achieve orgasm). ", "My symptoms are making it difficult to function normally in my life. Refer you to a specialist, if they think that would be more helpful. For some people, the thought of talking to their doctor about their mental health is scary. Whether You're Stressed, Depressed, or Abused. Severe depression can lead to feeling hopeless and, in some cases, suicidal. How to Describe Medical Symptoms to Your Doctor: 14 Steps - wikiHow ", "May I be referred to a mental health professional to discuss my depression? They can also evaluate if medication or therapy might help with depression. A fall can be a serious event, often leading to injury and loss of independence, at least for a while.