Healing and Getting
Help
Reaping the benefits of treatment begins by recognizing the
signs of depression. The next step is to be evaluated by a qualified
professional. Although depression can be diagnosed and treated
by primary care physicians, often the physician will refer the
patient to a psychiatrist, psychologist, clinical social worker,
or other mental health professional. Treatment is a partnership
between the patient and the health care provider. An informed
consumer knows her treatment options and discusses concerns with
her provider as they arise.
If there are no positive results after 2 to 3 months of treatment,
or if symptoms worsen, discuss another treatment approach with
the provider. Getting a second opinion from another health or
mental health professional may also be in order.
Here, again, are the steps to healing:
- Check your symptoms against the list on page 3.
- Talk to a health or mental health professional.
- Choose a treatment professional and a treatment approach with
which you feel comfortable.
- Consider yourself a partner in treatment and be an informed
consumer.
- If you are not comfortable or satisfied after 2 to 3 months,
discuss this with your provider. Different or additional treatment
may be recommended.
- If you experience a recurrence, remember what you know about
coping with depression and don't shy away from seeking help
again. In fact, the sooner a recurrence is treated, the shorter
its duration will be.
Depressive illnesses make you feel exhausted, worthless, helpless,
and hopeless. Such feelings make some people want to give up.
It is important to realize that these negative feelings are part
of the depression and will fade as treatment begins to take effect.
Along with professional treatment, there are other things you
can do to help yourself get better. Some people find participating
in support groups very helpful. It may also help to spend some
time with other people and to participate in activities that make
you feel better, such as mild exercise or yoga. Just don't expect
too much from yourself right away. Feeling better takes time.
If unsure where to go for help, ask your family doctor, OB/GYN
physician, or health clinic for assistance. You can also check
the Yellow Pages under "mental health," "health," "social
services," "suicide prevention," "crisis intervention services,"
"hotlines," "hospitals," or "physicians" for phone numbers and
addresses. In times of crisis, the emergency room doctor at a
hospital may be able to provide temporary help for an emotional
problem and will be able to tell you where and how to get further
help.
Listed below are the types of people and places that will make
a referral to, or provide, diagnostic and treatment services.
- Family doctors
- Mental health specialists such as psychiatrists, psychologists,
social workers, or mental health counselors
- Health maintenance organizations
- Community mental health centers
- Hospital psychiatry departments and outpatient clinics
- University- or medical school-affiliated programs
- State hospital outpatient clinics
- Family service/social agencies
- Private clinics and facilities
- Employee assistance programs
- Local medical and/or psychiatric societies
National Institute of Mental Health
Information Resources and Inquiries Branch
6001 Executive Boulevard
Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Telephone: 1-301-443-4513
FAX: 1-301-443-4279
Depression brochures: 1-800-421-4211
TTY: 1-301-443-8431
FAX4U: 1-301-443-5158
Website: http://www.nimh.nih.gov
E-mail: nimhinfo@nih.gov
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
2107 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201-3042
Telephone: 1-703-524-7600; 1-800-950-NAMI
Website: http://www.nami.org
A support and advocacy organization of consumers, families,
and friends of people with severe mental illness-over 1,200 state
and local affiliates. Local affiliates can often give guidance
to finding treatment.
National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association
730 N. Franklin, Suite 501
Chicago, IL 60601-3526
Telephone: 1-312- 642-0049; 1-800-826-3632
Website: http://www.ndmda.org
Purpose is to educate patients, families, and the public concerning
the nature of depressive illnesses. Maintains an extensive catalog
of helpful books.
National Foundation for Depressive Illness, Inc.
P.O. Box 2257
New York, NY 10016
Telephone: 1-212-268-4260; 1-800-239-1265
Website: http://www.depression.org
A foundation that informs the public about depressive illness
and its treatability and promotes programs of research, education
and treatment.
National Mental Health Association
1021 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2971
Telephone: 1-703-684-7722; 1-800-969-6642
FAX: 1-703-684-5968
TTY: 1-800-433-5959
Website: http://www.nmha.org
An association that works with 340 affiliates to promote mental
health through advocacy, education, research, and services.
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