How does a psychiatrist diagnose depression?
A diagnosis of depression does not require a person to feel depressed all the time. Depression symptoms only need to be present on most days, for most of the day, to meet the official criteria. Symptoms of depression include:
Feeling sad or irritable most of the time
Lacking enjoyment and fun in life, or losing interest in normal activities
Excessive guilt, shame, low self-worth, or negative self-talk
Reduced motivation and energy to do basic tasks, like showering
New onset difficulties with paying attention
Noticeable appetite changes, with weight loss or weight gain
Trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, or sleeping much more than usual
Seeming weighted down and heavy, or extremely restless and agitated
Thinking about death or planning for suicide
Can a psychiatrist test for depression?
Dr. Smith takes many factors into account when diagnosing depression, including screening tests. Take a depression test to measure your symptoms. (Responses are anonymous.)
what are examples of depression medications?
The depression medications that are best-known entered use in the 1980-90s. Also known as antidepressants, medications such as Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, and Wellbutrin are widely-known. They have been extensively studied in thousands of people for decades. Broadly, we know two things: antidepressants work pretty well, and antidepressants are reasonably well-tolerated by most people. Sometimes antidepressants work quickly and dramatically. Other times, a trial-and-error approach may be needed due to ineffectiveness or side effects. A depression psychiatrist can develop the best depression treatment plan to address your symptoms as quickly as possible.
How long do i need to take antidepressants?
“How long do I need to take antidepressants?” is one of the most commonly asked questions in psychiatry. There are many options, and the answer is personalized to each patient. If you have one depressive episode, the official advice is to take antidepressants until you feel better, plus 6-12 months. As a practical matter, many people stop taking antidepressants earlier than that. If they start feeling depressed again, they may choose to restart treatment. People who have had multiple depressive episodes may opt to take antidepressants indefinitely, to help prevent future episodes. The best depression treatment plan is individualized for each patient alongside a depression specialist.
What if antidepressants don’t work for me?
If antidepressants haven’t worked for you, a depression specialist can explore other diagnoses, different medication combinations, newer medications for depression, or alternative treatments for depression.
Does Dr. Smith recommend non-medication treatments for depression?
Antidepressants alone do not cure depression. They are supposed to enable a person to make necessary lifestyle changes that feel impossible to a depressed person. Antidepressants foster improvements in sleep, appetite, exercise, and socialization that are crucial for treating depression. Psychotherapy is also an excellent treatment for depression.
How do I talk to Dr. Smith about this?
Contact Dr. Smith for evaluation and treatment of depression.