You made an appointment to see someone for help, well done! Anxious for the appointment?
Here’s what you need to know.
This can feel really overwhelming or even a little scary and that makes sense. A reminder: doctors are there to help and guide you, not judge you. Not every doctor is the right match for every person.
Unsure what to expect going into the appointment? First up…paperwork! (how exciting). This includes two forms called the PHQ-9 and GAD-7, these measure the level of anxiety and depression symptoms you are having, and how much they interfere with your day. Honesty is key. It helps your doctor know how to best help you!
Self-check: What stressors do I have around me? Stress in me (how do I talk to myself and treat my body)?
Questions to ask your doctor when deciding if medication is the best choice
- What does this medication do? And why did you choose this one over others?
- Someone I know told me they take ___ and that really helped them. Why is mine something different?
- How long will it take until I notice any changes in my symptoms?
- What are the most common side effects and what should I do if I notice them? (Start to track them!)
- Are there side effects to be extra cautious of?
- How long will I need to be on this medication and how will we know when it’s time to stop? (Medication is not always permanent!)
- Is it safe to stop taking this abruptly? What would happen if I did?
- What happens if this doesn’t make me feel better?
Self-check: Did any other questions come to mind? What worries do you have?
Don’t want to take medication or not ready? Other alternative treatment or combination treatment:
- Talk therapy 🙂
- Lifestyle approaches (this may be challenging due to the intensity of your symptoms and that’s okay!)
- Track your mood daily to highlight any patterns here
- Peer support groups
- Mindfulness or meditation try this! or this one!
Ketamine assisted therapy (we have this at TCA)
Quick reminder: Depression can be a normal reaction to abnormal life events. The human experience is impacted greatly by the things happening around us. Medication is not meant to be a bandaid to the concerns. It is meant to be a tool that supports lifting you up, to allow you the space to process and grow. This is also where therapy comes in! A combination of talk therapy and medication can improve outcomes and lower changes of recurrent symptoms.
Whatever you decide to do, trust yourself! You know yourself and your symptoms best! You can always speak about it to a therapist as well. Reach out using the button below to schedule with one of ours.