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The importance of working with your healthcare provider, friends and family

Managing depression is an ongoing, personal process, but you do not need to go through it alone. Your healthcare provider, family and friends can be invaluable resources to getting better, so it is important to effectively communicate with them about your depression.

If you don't share how you're feeling or how you are responding to treatment with your healthcare provider, he or she may assume that everything is fine. Your healthcare provider is your most important partner and needs to be updated on your progress. In order to stay connected with your healthcare provider, ask about the best way to contact him or her between visits. Also, try scheduling your next appointment before leaving the office.

Building a Partnership With Your Healthcare Provider

Studies show that openly communicating with your healthcare provider can lead to better results and improved satisfaction with treatment. Knowing when to reach out to your healthcare provider and the information you should seek may help you take better control of your depression.

Some topics you should keep in mind when speaking with your healthcare provider include:

• Concerns about your depression diagnosis
• Questions about your treatment regimen
• Reach out to your healthcare provider if you don't feel improvement or are worried that not all of your symptoms are being addressed
• Improvement or lack of improvement with certain symptoms
• Be specific about which symptoms are improving, or not improving. This may guide your healthcare provider on any changes that should be made to your plan
• Concerns over side effects
• If you are experiencing side effects from a treatment, or are concerned about them, tell your healthcare provider. Never try to stop or change medications on your own. All medications are different and have different side effects. Your healthcare provider can work with you to choose one that is right for you
• Make sure your physician knows about other medical illnesses you have or medications you are taking so he/she can modify your treatment plan accordingly

Building a Support Network

For some, depression can be a difficult and embarrassing subject to discuss. But it's important to remember that a key component of any treatment plan is the support of family and friends. By discussing your experience with them, you can develop a network of people who care about you and will support you on your road to getting and staying well.

Some topics you should keep in mind when speaking with your loved ones include:

• Openly communicating
• Explain some of the basic information about depression and underscore the vital role your family and friends can play in helping you get well
• Ask your support network to be open and honest with you when discussing how your depression may be impacting them
• Measuring progress
• Ask your family if they see any improvements since starting treatment. Although you may not think anything has changed, those closest to you may observe progress that you haven't noticed