Recognizing the Symptoms of Depression
Depression Therapy: Preparing for Your First Appointment
It's easy to get flustered when you're first meeting with a doctor. You might have a lot of questions that you want to ask but your mind may go blank when you step into the office.
So be prepared. Before you first see your doctor or therapist, sit down and decide what you'd like to talk about. Think about what you want from treatment. Go in armed with information and questions.
Here are some suggestions for how to prepare.
-
Write down questions. Come up with some specific things
you want to ask. Don't assume that your doctor will tell you everything you
need to know.
For instance, you might ask your doctor:- Do I need medicine for my depression?
- What kind of medicine will you prescribe?
- What are the side effects and risks?
- How often do I need to take it?
- How quickly will it work?
- Will any of my other medications, herbs, or supplements interact with this
medicine?
- What kind of approach do you use? What will our goals be?
- What will you expect of me? Will you give me specific assignments to do between sessions?
- How often will we meet?
- Will this therapy be short-term or long-term?
- How much does each session cost?
-
Keep a log or journal. Keeping track of your mood changes
in a diary can be helpful both to you and your doctor or therapist. Just jot
down a few lines each day. In each entry, include:
- How you're feeling that day
- Your current symptoms
- Any events that might have affected your mood
- How much sleep you got the night before
- The exact doses of any medicines you took
Bring in your journal to your first appointment. Show it to your doctor or therapist. If you keep a journal for a few weeks or months, you may start to see patterns to your mood changes that you never noticed before.
- Don't forget about your physical symptoms. You might not think that they're relevant, but physical symptoms are often signs of depression. Make sure to tell your health care provider about pain, stomach problems, sleep problems, or any other physical symptoms. In some cases, you might need medicines specifically for these symptoms.
- Get help from friends or family members. Ask them about changes they've noticed in your behavior. They may have seen symptoms that you missed. And if you're nervous about your first appointment, ask for a friend or family member to come along.
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
WebMD's Symptom Finder:
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The Truth About Depression
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