Call 911, a suicide hotline, or go to a nearby emergency room if you have thoughts of harming yourself or others.

Call your doctor if:

• You hear voices that are not there
• You have frequent crying spells with little or no provocation
• You have had feelings of depression that disrupt work, school, or family life for longer than 2 weeks
• You have three or more depressive symptoms
• You think that one of your current medications may be making you feel depressed -- DO NOT change or stop any medications without consulting your doctor
• You believe that you should cut back on drinking, a family member or friend has asked you to cut back, you feel guilty about the amount of alcohol you drink, or you drink alcohol first thing in the morning

A complete history, a psychiatric interview, and a physical examination will be performed to try to classify your depression as mild, moderate, or severe and to see if there is an underlying, treatable cause (such as alcohol abuse or an underactive thyroid). Hospitalization is usually recommended if suicide seems possible.

Expect some exploration of the issues and events associated with your feelings of depression. Your doctor will ask you about:

• Your depressive moods and other symptoms (sleep, appetite, concentration, energy)
• Possible stressors in your life, and support systems in place
• Whether thoughts about ending your life have ever crossed your mind
• Drug and alcohol use, and about the medications you are currently taking, if any

Treatment will vary according to the cause and severity of your depressive symptoms, as well as your personal preference. For mild depression, counseling and self-care measures without medication may be enough. The most effective therapy for moderate or severe depression is a combination of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy (talk therapy).

Your primary care doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist if your depression is moderate to severe, or if it does not improve with initial treatment.

For more treatment information, see: Major depression

Images

Depression and heart disease

Depression and insomnia

Depression in children

Depression and the menstrual cycle

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Review Date: 03/31/2010
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and David B. Merrill, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)