Your doctor

TESS

Your doctor should be your first stop if you suspect that you may be suffering from depression. He or she will either be able to get your treatment started or refer you to a practicing psychiatrist or, in the severest cases, arrange for you to be admitted to a hospital.

Did you know, however, that about half of people suffering from depression who should receive treatment never go to the doctor? Out of those who do go to the doctor, 25-30% have previously suffered from depression. They go to the doctor because they realize that their depression has returned.

Far too few people who are suffering from depression for the first time go to the doctor. In connection with this, you should know that depression is oftentimes easy to treat. Treatment allows 99% of people with depression to become healthy, happy, and cheerful again.

Physical symptoms can deceive

Unfortunately, not everyone who is suffering from depression who go to the doctor will be diagnosed with depression. Various surveys show that 10-20% of patients who go to the doctor are diagnosed with a physical illness due to their physical symptoms. This is because many people who are suffering from depression describe physical symptoms. These symptoms can mislead the doctor and miss the diagnosis of depression.

Thanks to additional training and courses, doctors have become better at diagnosing depression. This is reflected in the increase in the amount of antidepressants being prescribed.

On the other hand, there are also physical disorders which have similar symptoms with depression such as metabolic disorders and anemia. These disorders should, of course, not be treated with antidepressants.

90% are treated by the doctor

Virtually all patients suffering from depression start their treatment with their doctor. 90% of patients who are treated for depression are treated by general practitioners. Psychiatrists cover the other 10%. Many patients who go to their doctor do not go of their own free will. They are often urged by people around them (their spouse or partner, children, friends, colleagues or employer).

Few people who suffer from depression need hospital treatment. Sufferers who are hospitalized are often at risk of committing suicide or have not accepted the serious illness that they are suffering from.