Your doctor
Your doctor is in a good position to help you with:
When treating depression, we take account of all contributory factors, such as:
It is, of course, vital that we make the right diagnosis. This enables us to determine whether and how you should be treated.
Our choice of treatment is determined on the basis of whether your depression is:
Do doctors offer counselling?
Yes, some doctors offer counselling. Some family physicians have a higher level of training in mental health. You may want to ask your family physician about this on your next visit. Counselling is used:
- For mild to moderate depression, where psychological factors have a role to play
- Often in combination with medication
Who is offered medication?
We use medication:
- For long-term bouts of moderate to severe depression, where it has been shown that medication is effective.
What types of antidepressant are available?
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Dual-action antidepressants
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Read more on 'What types of antidepressant are there?'
Are there different treatment strategies?
The following will provide you with a brief insight into the various treatment strategies for different degrees of depression. Each strategy has a link to additional information.
Mild depression
We treat mild depression with counselling because the effectiveness of medication is uncertain.
Moderate depression
Patients can be treated with either medication, usually SSRI's, psychotherapy or both.
Severe depression
We always treat severe depression with medication. In some cases we may combine it with counselling and education. Most people who are severely depressed and are threatening suicide or have psychotic symptoms are admitted into psychiatric care. Read more on 'Who needs antidepressant treatment?'
What if the treatment doesn't work?
If the treatment doesn't work in four to six weeks, your doctor may try you on a different medication. He or she can also refer you to a psychiatrist or a family physician with special training in mental health.
Your doctor may suggest that you be admitted into psychiatric care if:
- The treatment doesn't work.
- You are very distressed.
- You threaten to commit suicide.
As you can see, your doctor is well informed to offer you all kinds of help, not just medication.