If you think you might suffer from depression or anxiety,
it's important to talk to a doctor. Doctors deal with issues
like this every day, so there's no need to feel self- conscious.
Depression and anxiety are real medical conditions that
can be treated. Your doctor can determine if you have one
of these conditions and decide what to do next.
Who Can Help
In addition to your regular doctor, you can turn to other
doctors or healthcare professionals who can help find a
treatment that's right for you.
Other professionals who can help are:
- Psychiatrists - Nurse practitioners - Nurse practitioners - Clinical psychologists - Social workers - Mental health counselors
Taking the First Step: Making
an Appointment
The first step is to call your healthcare professional's
office and make an appointment.
The receptionist might ask the reason for your appointment.
If you don't feel like sharing the details, you don't have
to. Instead, you might want to tell the receptionist you
would rather discuss your condition directly with your healthcare
professional.
Your condition is a personal matter. It's your right to
keep it between you and your healthcare professional.
Preparing for Your Office
Visit
Knowing what to expect during your office visit can make
you feel more comfortable talking about your condition.
It can also allow you to make the most of your time with
your healthcare professional.
You might want to prepare for your visit by thinking about
these questions.
What are my symptoms?
If you're not sure what they are, you might want to take
a look at one or more of the checklists on this site.
What questions do I have for my healthcare professional
about my condition?
Has anyone else in my family had this condition?
You should also prepare a list of medicines you're currently
taking, including:
- Prescription medicines - Medicines you buy from a drugstore, such as pain
relievers, cold medicines, and
sleeping medicines - Natural or herbal remedies
Also make a note of how much of each medicine you're taking.
This will save time and keep you from having to remember
everything during your appointment. It will also help out
your doctor.
Knowing Your Symptoms
A good way to see if you suffer from one of these conditions
is to compare your symptoms against the symptoms associated
with each condition. Print out a checklist from the list
below, fill out your answers, and bring to your appointment
to share with your doctor. It's a good way to start a
conversation about your condition.
Click on the condition you would like a checklist for:
