Depression

Injury	Diseases	Nutrition	Poison
Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Depression and heart disease

Depression and insomnia

Depression and the menstrual cycle

Depression in children

Overview

Treatment

Prevention

(Page 2)

Expect some exploration of the issues and events associated with your feelings of depression. Your doctor will ask you about:

Your depressive moods and other symptoms (sleep, appetite, concentration, energy)
Possible stressors in your life, and support systems in place
Whether thoughts about ending your life have ever crossed your mind
Drug and alcohol use, and about the medications you are currently taking, if any

Treatment will vary according to the cause and severity of your depressive symptoms, as well as your personal preference. For mild depression, counseling and self-care measures without medication may be enough. The most effective therapy for moderate or severe depression is a combination of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy (talk therapy).

Your primary care doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist if your depression is moderate to severe, or if it does not improve with initial treatment.

For more treatment information, see: Major depression

Page: <<Prev 1 | 2

Review Date: 03/31/2010
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and David B. Merrill, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).