How common is depression and how do you know when you have a good doctor?

Question

You hear of many patients just being thrown on medication, but how do you know when your doctor has really looked at your depression and diagnosed you correctly?

Answer 1

Trust your doctor, he went to 8+ years of higher education school. Statistics even show that many people who are depressed, are not diagnosed. Be glad if you are diagnosed, the medication can help a lot.

Answer 2

Well, first of all, I know for some people it's hard, but don't get a cheap docter. Cheap isn't always the best way to go.

And when you get your medication, look at the ingrediants and search them up... you know, learn about them . See if it sounds suitible for you.
After you've been taking it for a reasonable amount of time, see how you feel. If you feel any better, then your docter has done you good.

As for how common is depression, lets just say I have depression as well. It is more common than you think. Some people just don't think they have depression because they don't cut themselves. But they are still sad alot. Some people have it, but don't recognize it as depression.

Answer 3

Your doctor should not only be asking you how you feel. He should be doing some testing too. Many people with "feelings" of depression never have their thyroid checked by blood work and ultrasound. If your levels are off this can produce many of the same symptoms, and blood work isn't enough. Your blood levels may be correct and you might still have an autoimmune thyroid disorder like Hashimoto's thyroiditis. I was misdiagnosed for years..make sure he does the full workup.