A
recent survey of 1,318 older adults receiving care for depression, anxiety or
other mental disorders found that doctors frequently don't discuss key aspects
of treatment with their patients.
Here's a checklist of six
topics your provider should discuss with you. A doctor who is being thorough
will:
1. Discuss
different treatment options. Antidepressants and psychotherapy are
common treatments for depression, but they are not the only choices. For
example, depending on your age, physical health, medical history and severity
of depression, other treatments -- including lifestyle changes such as diet and
exercise, brain stimulation therapies, or alternative medicine treatments --
might be effective. In the survey, one-third of respondents said their doctor
had not discussed treatment options.
2. Work with you
to decide which treatment would be best. Patients who receive a
depression treatment they prefer are more likely to get better within the first
three months than those who receive a treatment their doctor chooses. If your
doctor suggests a treatment you are not comfortable with, it is essential to
let him or her know immediately.
3. Explain
possible side effects. Depression treatments are generally safe, but
most have the potential to cause unwanted effects, ranging from relatively mild
problems such as dry mouth and nausea to more serious concerns, including
weight gain, insomnia or sexual difficulties. In the survey, 38 percent of
respondents said their doctor did not provide information on side effects.
4. Tell you what
to do if you feel worse. Few depression treatments work immediately;
for example, antidepressants typically take four to six weeks or longer to take
effect. Your doctor should explain what you should do if you begin to feel
worse. Do not stop taking any medication unless your doctor tells you to.
5. Explain how
long treatment will take. Before beginning any treatment, your
doctor should give you an estimate of how long you might need to continue
treatment based on his or her experience with other patients receiving similar
treatments. For example, depending on how often you've experienced episodes of
depression, your doctor may want you to continue taking antidepressants for one
to three years after your symptoms go away, or even indefinitely.
6. Follow up with
you within a few weeks to see how you are doing. Almost half of
survey respondents said their doctor did not contact them within a few weeks to
see if the treatment was working. On your first visit, ask your doctor exactly
when and how he or she will be contacting you to check your progress.
(Source:
John Hopkins Health Alert, 17 June 2014)
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