How Do You Ask Your Doctor for Anti-Depression Medication?
Question by : How do you ask your doctor for anti-depression medication?
I have been depressed for years and so far I have sought out psychology (if only for a short time) and holistic remedies. I have never asked for medication because I’m afraid that (as a young male) they’ll think I’m just trying to get my hands on it to get high or something. But I really need it. How do I go about asking for it? Are there any tests that need to be done?
Best answer:
Answer by Melissa
I’m 16 and I have been on antidepressants since I was 14. I first started out on fluoxetine/Prozac but suffered very bad side effects. I am now on 20mg of citralopram. It is helping me to feel more positive and I’m finally getting out of the house after months of not going out and a year of not going to school. You need to consult your doctor and explain how you are feeling. Do you feel suicidal? I attempted suicide last year and aghast the reason why my doctor put me on a higher dosage
Answer by RWPossum
Medication is a possible solution to your problem. In answer to your question, the thing to do is tell the doctor what you’re condition is, and you can do that by saying not only how you feel but any symptoms you might have, like insomnia or poor appetite. Tell about things that have affected the way you feel. List any medications, vitamins or supplements you may be taking. You might want to write this down beforehand, Another thing is a screening test. You can go to CESD R and take this test. The purpose of the test is to identify people who should be seen for diagnosis. Some people bring a friend or family member with them to the doctor because they can add some information the patient forgot.
The experts say these drugs are most likely to help with really bad cases of depression. They also say that it can be good to have therapy along with medicine. Although this is not well known, there are self help books so effective they’re as about as good as regular therapy.
Remember that the GP is not a mental health professional.
A lot people think “holistic” means things that aren’t scientific, like herbal remedies. Actually, holistic is from the word “whole,” meaning the whole person, and it’s a great philosophy for treating depression. Depression is a problem of the mind, but different illnesses of the body can cause it. The way you feel has a lot to do with how you live – where you work, who you go out with or who you’re married to, whether or not you get proper diet and exercise – and many other things. To me, the best expert on hoslistic treatment of depression is Dr Stephen Ilardi, the therapist and researcher who headed the lifestyle project at the University of Kansas. You can find out at the Univ of Kansas TLC site or Dr Ilardi’s book Depression Cure.
You can read a cognitive therapy book to find out about it. For some people, the book itself serves as a good treatment. The best one seems to be The Feeling Good Handbook by Dr. David Burns, the book recommended most often for depression by professionals. There are good books for insomnia.
There is a free online therapy program called MoodGYM. It’s offered by a university.
Advice I often give —
When things are especially bad, take things one at a time — a day at a time, a morning at a time, or even five minutes. A favorite movie or music can help. Many people get relief by going for a walk. Within reason, some extra food will lift your spirits, whereas alcohol, which makes depression worse, should be avoided. Don’t isolate yourself. Talk with somebody, even if you don’t feel like it.
Stay in touch with your feelings. When you have an unpleasant mood shift, take one or two slow, deep breaths and examine the thought that just occurred to you, in terms of its truth and its relevance to what you’re doing at the moment. If you find yourself in a stressful situation, take slow, deep breaths until you’re calm, then think carefully about what to do. Exercise has been shown to reduce stress. The best exercise is the kind you enjoy, and sports are especially good because of the social activity. It may also be that people with depression who tend to remain indoors benefit from increased exposure to sunlight.
Usually, people go into depression in a downward spiral of negativity in thinking and behavior, one leading to the other. Getting out of depression is an upward spiral of healthy thinking and behavior, one leading to the other. In some cases, medication plays an important part, but healthy thought and behavior are still necessary. It doesn’t happen overnight, and it helps to be patient. A sense of humor is a big plus.
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