When you have decided to see a healthcare provider about your symptoms, preparing for the appointment will help you get the most out of the visit. Some things to bring with you include:

Information to Share with Your Doctor
  • Description of how you’re feeling
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  • Print out of a completed My Depression Score questionnaire
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  • Full list of all medications and supplements
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  • Personal medical history and important family medical history
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  • List of any major events that have recently occurred (marriage, death of a loved one, loss of job, serious illness, etc)
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    The process of getting better begins as soon as someone is diagnosed with depression. Their family doctor may treat them or refer them to a specialist such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or licensed social worker

    People should never stop taking their antidepressant therapy or Deplin® or make changes to their dosages without first speaking with their healthcare providers.

    Your questions answered:

    What can my doctor do to help me?

    Your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is right for you. It is important to talk to your doctor about your symptoms, other medications you are taking, your family history of depression and if you have experienced stress recently. With this information your doctor can work with you to create a treatment plan to address all of your depressive symptoms.

    Do I need to see a specialist?

    If you were diagnosed by a psychiatrist, he or she will most likely be the physician in charge of your treatment plan and the one you see most often. If you were diagnosed with depression by your family or primary care doctor, he or she may either treat you or recommend that you see a mental health professional who specializes in depression.