How do I start going about seeking treatment for depression?

Question

Long story short, i've got depression decently bad, and was wondering how i go about getting treatment for it. Do i just schedule an appointment with my primary care physician and, after telling him, get a referral then to a phsyciatrist? Because I'm not too hot on the idea of somebody that, after a ten minute interview, gives you a bottle of pills and tells you to stop in next month to make sure everything worked out. In the past, for other problems (ADHD) that was what they did. How do i get into a psychologist, not just a person who prescribes medicine, but rather one who has maybe weekly sessions and works towards figuring out everything that's wrong and helping you get straightened out. Or is this two seperate, unmixable branches, where you can only get meds from one, and only get counseling from the other? Or is there somebody who does both? And where do i find that type of help, and how do i get admitted to it? My insurance is very good.

Answer 1

There are counsellors and psychoanalysts who help you without drugging you. Depending on where you are located, there are various resources to help you locate such a service. And then there are other healing systems which help without drugs.

Better to discuss with your primary health care provider or a good general physician first.

Answer 2

I wasn't sure where to turn so I called my employee assistant program (EAP). They told me of counselors in the area. I could have just used the phone book, but I was not thinking too clearly.
My next step was a visit to my primary care physician.
I didn't see a psychiatrist till I was already seeing a counselor and taking an antidepressant that my doctor prescribed.
Be careful about psychiatrists. The first one I saw was arrogant and did not listen to me so I fired him
I lucked into a good one the next time.
The antidepressants helped clear my thoughts till the counseling started working.

Answer 3

Start of by just telling your regular doc how you feel. Meds can help, stick with them and do not drink alcohol this makes it worse. Not all pshycs are the same. You may go through a ton of them until you find the right one that you are most comfortable talking to. Never forget, your not alone.

Answer 4

I don't know if there is someone who does both.don't you have anyone who could find a psychologist for you?don't go straight to a psychiatrist, start with a psychologist and if its nessasary he/she will send you somewhere else.start with someone like a counselor or something and then he/she will guide you as to where you should go.