How to Discuss Depression
Because depressionA disease that affects millions of Americans each year, believed to
be caused by an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain, called
neurotransmitters.
affects so many different aspects of a person's life, it is important
to know how and when to talk about it. Reaching out to the right people
at the right time can be a great source of comfort and support, and
learning to better express how you are feeling may improve your chances
for treatment success. Below are some tips to help you address the
topic of depression with your healthcare professional or doctor, your
family and friends, and people at work. Click here for a worksheet that you can print out and bring to your doctor's appointment.
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Professional or Doctor?
At the appointment, be specific about your symptoms.
What are they? How long have they lasted? How severe have they been?
If you are unsure of what they are, you may want to use the Depression
Screening Tool. This will give you a better understanding of what
your symptoms may be, so your doctor or healthcare professional can
make the proper diagnosis.
Prepare a list of questions, such as:
- What are my options?
- What about medication?
- How does it work?
- What are the side effects?
- What about talk therapy?
- Do you treat a lot of patients for depression?
- Should I see a specialist?
Also, prepare a list of the medications you are currently taking.
Include prescription and over-the-counter medicines as well as any
vitamins or herbs.
It is important to be open and honest with your healthcare professional
or doctor during the initial visit as well as the follow-up visits.
Ask questions and express your thoughts. Give feedback about how your
treatment is going, how you are feeling, whether you've been having
side effects (be specific as to what they are), and whether you've
been taking your medication regularly.
Should I tell my family and friends or people at work?
When and how you tell family, friends, or coworkers about your condition
is a personal decision. However, confiding in people you trust can
help to improve your treatment outcome. Be honest: tell them that
you haven't been feeling well lately and went to see a healthcare
professional or doctor about it. You had some tests done and found
out that you have depression. You can explain depression to them or
give them some information to read. Ask them to listen when you need
to talk and to provide emotional support during your treatment. Tell
them you will have good days and bad days and to keep in mind that
some of your behavior is caused by the illness. Also, don't be afraid
to ask them for help with little tasks such as shopping or cooking.
If you are having trouble meeting your job requirements, you should
first discuss it with your healthcare professional or doctor to determine
your best course of action. You should know that you have certain
rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) regarding time off for a disability and
reasonable accommodation of your work schedule or job requirements.
Know and understand your rights before you do anything or speak to
anyone at work. You can find more information about FMLA at http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/fmla/
and about ADA at http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm.
If you decide to take a leave or request a change in your job to
accommodate your situation, find out about company policy and programs
ahead of time so you can explore all your options when it is time
to talk. Medical information is confidential, so you don't have to
reveal your exact medical condition to anyone. If you do, tell your
supervisors—they are obligated to maintain confidentiality,
except under certain circumstances.
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