Appointments
You do not have to wait for a provider to ask about your mental health. Start the conversation, and bring a few things that make the visit more useful.
Take the self-check
Answer the nine-question Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and print your score to bring along. Nothing is stored or sent.
Keep a week of notes
Track mood, sleep, energy, medicines, missed doses, and side effects, and write down questions as they come up.
On a medicine that is not helping?
How long to give it, what response and remission mean, next options, and why not to stop suddenly.
First-visit checklist
What to bring
A short list of your questions
Visits are short. Write down what you most want to discuss so the important things come first.
National Institute of Mental Health · Tips for talking with a health care provider
Every medicine and supplement you currently take
Include prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins, and supplements. Some can interact with antidepressants.
National Institute of Mental Health · Tips for talking with a health care provider
Notes on your symptoms
When they started, how long they last, how often they happen, and whether they keep you from your usual activities.
Family mental health history
Some mental illnesses run in families. Knowing this can help the provider judge risk and watch for early signs.
National Institute of Mental Health · Tips for talking with a health care provider
Recent stress or life changes
Share major stressors or changes that could be triggering or worsening symptoms.
National Institute of Mental Health · Tips for talking with a health care provider
A friend or relative, if you want one
A companion can offer support, take notes, and help you remember what was discussed. Some people meet alone first and invite them in later.
National Institute of Mental Health · Tips for talking with a health care provider
Roadmap
From first visit to staying well
Step 1
Start with a primary care provider
If you do not know where to start, a primary care provider can listen, check for other causes, and refer you to a mental health professional.
- Bring up your mood even if the provider does not ask first.
- Be honest and specific about symptoms, including any thoughts of death or suicide.
- Ask what could be causing the symptoms and whether you need a referral.
National Institute of Mental Health · Tips for talking with a health care provider
Step 2
Evaluation and diagnosis
A diagnosis of depression means symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks, including low mood or loss of interest. Children and teens may be irritable rather than sad.
- Expect questions about when symptoms began, how long they last, and how they affect daily life.
- A physical exam, interview, and lab tests can rule out things like thyroid problems, viruses, or medicine side effects.
- People with only a few symptoms may still benefit from treatment.
Step 3
Choosing a treatment plan
Treatment usually means talk therapy, medicine, or both, chosen around your needs, preferences, and health. For milder depression, therapy is often tried first.
- Ask what each option involves, how long it takes, and what side effects to watch for.
- Antidepressants usually take 4-8 weeks to work; sleep, appetite, and concentration often improve before mood.
- If an option feels wrong for you, say so and ask about others. Getting another opinion from a different provider is an option.
Step 4
Follow-up and adjusting
Finding the right treatment can take trial and error. Keep appointments, report side effects, and do not stop a medicine without talking to the prescriber.
- Watch closely in the first weeks of a new antidepressant or dose change, especially for anyone under 25.
- If two antidepressants have not helped, ask about treatment-resistant depression options.
- Options can include esketamine, adding another medicine, or brain stimulation therapy.
Step 5
Staying well
Most people with depression benefit from treatment and gradually start to feel better. Everyday habits support recovery alongside care.
- Go easy on yourself and try things you used to enjoy, even when you do not feel like it.
- Keep regular sleep and meals, move your body, and stay connected with people you trust.
- Delay big life decisions until you feel better, and talk them through with people who know you well.
Questions to ask about a medicine
- What medicine am I taking?
- What are the possible side effects?
- What other prescription medicines should I avoid while taking it?
- What foods, herbs (like St. John's wort), or over-the-counter medicines should I avoid?
- When and how many times a day should I take it?
- Can I take it if I am pregnant or nursing?
Questions to ask a therapist
- What are your credentials and experience? Do you have a specialty?
- What approach will you use, and what is the evidence behind it?
- Do you have experience with my age group and the problem I am facing?
Next step