By Catherine Winters, Special to Lifescript
You’ve been diagnosed with depression – now what? Your doctor may prescribe antidepressants, therapy, or even magnetic stimulation. Which is right for you? Top psychiatrists tell how to get the best help and results…
One in four women will experience clinical depression at some point in their lives, according to the National Institutes of Health. But treatment plans are tailored to each person.
Your doctor’s first step should be a physical workup to rule out underlying health conditions, like a thyroid problem.
Then, they’ll analyze your personal history for more clues.
“You have to look at a patient’s character, history of depression, family background and past responses to medication,” says Alan Manevitz, M.D., associate professor of clinical psychiatry at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City.
With an illness like depression, these factors can vary dramatically.
Dr. Manevitz looks at “the spectrum of symptoms – some people may be low on energy and sleeping a lot. Others may not be able to sleep at all.”
This background information helps doctors design your individual treatment plan, usually consisting of talk therapy, medication or a combination of the two.