Talk to your doctor discussion guide

Transcription

1 Talk to your doctor discussion guide Talking openly and honestly with your doctor is the best way to help them understand your symptoms of depression and how they are affecting your daily life. If you are already receiving treatment for depression, but still don t feel like your old self, you should talk to your doctor about your options H. Lundbeck A/S, 2017.

2 Before you attend your appointment It s important to understand that depression is a broad mix of symptoms that affect different people in different ways. 1 Because symptoms can vary in type, duration, number and severity, one person s experience of depression can be very different to anothers. 2 The symptoms of depression can be split into three main categories; various examples are included below but do not represent a list of all the symptoms that are associated with depression: 2 5 Affecting your mood (emotional) Sadness Anxiety Lack of enjoyment Hopelessness Guilt Affecting your body (physical) Tiredness Eating changes Sleeping problems Stomach problems Headaches Chest pain Affecting your mind (cognitive) Difficulty concentrating Indecisiveness Forgetfulness Slow thinking speed Difficulty problem solving Difficulty planning Talking to your doctor about your emotional, physical and cognitive symptoms is essential in order to choose the best treatment options for you. Pronounced changes in mood are present in everyone who has been diagnosed with depression, however, there may also be noticeable changes in behaviour and personality. Symptoms can include sleep pattern and/or appetite disturbance, tiredness/fatigue, loss of motivation and drive, obsessive worry and feelings of guilt, problems maintaining mental focus.

3 Finding a treatment that will manage all your symptoms of depression can take time, especially as many people do not realise the wide range of symptoms that depression can cause. During treatment, improvements in your ability to think, concentrate, remember and process information often lag behind improvements in mood and these symptoms can persist even after you have completed treatment. 6 8 If this sounds familiar, consider the following 5 questions before your appointment with your doctor. During the past 4 weeks, have you: 9 Symptom Yes No Had trouble getting things organised? Forgotten the date unless you looked it up? Felt like your mind went totally blank? Forgotten what you talked about after a telephone conversation? Had trouble concentrating? E.g watching a television programme or reading a book If you answer yes to any of these questions, even if you have completed your treatment, it could be a sign that you may still be affected by cognitive symptoms and you should discuss this with your doctor during your appointment.

4 During your appointment Make sure you use the time during your appointment to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor and get all your questions answered. Here are a few examples of questions you might want to ask to help get you started if you have been prescribed medication for your depression: How long will my medication take to work? What side effects can I expect from my medication? How long will I have to stay on treatment? Many people with depression find it helpful to talk about their experiences with other people who have also been affected by depression. If this is something you think could help you, ask your doctor to recommend local support groups and online resources where you can find support and more information about depression. You may find it useful to note down any symptoms that you have experienced over the last two weeks to help you prepare for your doctor s appointment. Symptoms table Change in mood Suicidal thoughts/ behaviour Obsessive worry and feelings of guilt Sleep pattern/ or appetite disturbance Loss of motivation and drive Problems maintaining mental focus Tiredness/ fatigue Other symptoms include...

5 References 1. NICE clinical guideline 90. Depression in adults. October American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-V) Patient.co.uk. Depression. Available at: Accessed June Suicide Awareness Voices of Education. Symptoms of major depression. Available at: ac-076a3d2d-c29a aadd19321e84. Accessed June NHS choices. Clinical depression Symptoms. Available at: Conditions/Depression/Pages/Symptoms.aspx. Accessed 24 July Conradi HJ et al. Psychol Med. 2011; 41: McClintock SM et al. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2011; 31(2): Hammar A, Ardal G. Front Hum Neurosci. 2009; 3: Sullivan JJL, Edgley K, Dehoux E. A survey of multiple sclerosis Part 1: Perceived cognitive problems and compensatory strategy use. Can J Rehabil. 1990;4:

6 2017 H. Lundbeck A/S, 2017.