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Depression: Finding a Doctor or Therapist
To get better, you need expert help. Many people with depression have a team working with them. This might include your regular health care provider, a psychologist or therapist, and a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse.
In fact, studies show that combination treatment – antidepressants and talk therapy – is the most effective way to treat depression. But getting the right people may seem intimidating. Here are some answers to common questions about finding a doctor and psychologist or therapist. Below these questions, you’ll find a list of tips for how to prepare for your first appointment,
Understand the symptoms of depression, from sadness to hopelessness to headache.
- What kind of expert do I need to see? People with depression often see a few different experts. You might see a therapist as well as a doctor or nurse for medicine. You might contact your health insurer first to see what types of care they cover. If you are not covered for psychological therapy, you can look for a therapist who offers a sliding scale based on income.
- Why can't I just see one doctor? Psychiatrists are the only doctors who usually prescribe antidepressants and counsel patients in therapy. Often they are expensive. So many people prefer to get their antidepressants from their regular doctor, and have weekly counseling sessions with a therapist. Therapists tend to be psychologists, social workers, or counselors, with lower rates than a psychiatrist.
- How do I find a therapist or a psychiatrist? Ask your regular health care provider for a recommendation. You can also get in touch with organizations such as NAMI, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, which can suggest experts in your area. Keep in mind that anyone can call himself or herself a "therapist." Your therapist should be a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, psychiatric nurse, or counselor.
- What should I look for? Therapists and psychiatrists use many different approaches. Some focus on practical, here-and-now issues. Others go deeper, probing events from your past that might have played a role in your depression. Many use a mix of styles. Shop around. When you first talk to a potential therapist or psychiatrist, ask about his or her approach. See if it's a good fit. If it’s not, find someone else. If you don't click with a person, therapy is less likely to help. You may also want to look for someone who specializes in your particular problem. For instance, if you have a substance abuse problem, find a doctor and therapist who specialize in treating people struggling with addiction.
- What if treatment doesn't help? Once you've settled on a therapist and doctor, you need to give therapy and medication a chance to work. Getting better takes time, often several months. Treatment for depression can be hard at first. Opening up to someone about very personal things in your life isn't easy. But the majority of people do get better with treatment.
WebMD Medical Reference
Important Safety Information
Cymbalta® (duloxetine HCl) is approved for the treatment of depression and generalized anxiety disorder, and for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia.
What should I talk about with my healthcare provider?
Patients on antidepressants and their families or caregivers should watch for new or worsening depression symptoms, unusual changes in behavior, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, restlessness, or extreme hyperactivity. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have thoughts of suicide or if any of these symptoms are severe or occur suddenly. Be especially observant within the first few months of antidepressant treatment or whenever there is a change in dose.
You should also know that:
- Suicide is a known risk of depression and some other psychiatric disorders.
- Antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts or behaviors in some children, adolescents, and young adults especially within the first few months of treatment or when changing the dose. No increased risk has been shown for adults over age 24, and risk decreased for those over age 65.
- All patients starting therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for new or worsening depression symptoms, suicidal thoughts or behavior, or unusual changes in behavior.
- Cymbalta® is not approved for use in patients under age 18.
Who should NOT take Cymbalta?
You should not take Cymbalta if:
- You have recently taken a type of antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
- You have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma (an eye disease)
- You are taking Mellaril® (thioridazine)
What other important information should I discuss with my healthcare provider?
Before starting Cymbalta, tell your healthcare provider:
- about all of your medical conditions, including kidney problems, glaucoma, or diabetes
- about your alcohol use
- if you are taking nonprescription or prescription medicines, including those for migraine, to address a possible life threatening condition
- if you are taking NSAID pain relievers, aspirin, or blood thinners. Use with Cymbalta may increase bleeding risk
- if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant during therapy, or are breastfeeding an infant
While taking Cymbalta, tell your healthcare provider:
- if you have itching, right upper belly pain, dark urine, yellow skin/eyes, or unexplained flu-like symptoms, which may be signs of liver problems. Severe liver problems, sometimes fatal, have been reported
- if you have high fever, confusion, and stiff muscles to address a possible life-threatening condition
- before stopping Cymbalta or changing your dose
- if you experience dizziness or fainting upon standing, especially when first starting Cymbalta or when increasing the dose. Your healthcare provider may periodically check your blood pressure while you are taking Cymbalta
If you have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider before taking Cymbalta.
What are the possible side effects of Cymbalta?
The most common side effect of Cymbalta was nausea. For most people who had it, the nausea was mild to moderate. Other common side effects included dry mouth, sleepiness, constipation, decreased appetite, and, increased sweating. This is not a complete list of side effects.
Depression Glossary
- Antidepressant: Drugs to be used to treat depression...
- Dysphoria: An emotional state marked by anxiety, depression, and restlessness ...
- Dysthymia: Chronic depression that is less severe than major depression ...
- Major Depression: Depression that lasts for at least two weeks and interferes with daily life ...
- Psychotherapy: Treatment by talking about emotional problems ...
- View All Terms
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