First Consultation

Before meeting with a health professional it’s normal to feel stressed or anxious. Here are some questions your doctor or therapist might ask you.

• How long have you been feeling depressed?
• When did your friends and your family notice your depression?
• Do you have other family members with mental illnesses?
• Do you feel that your mood varies a lot, that you are very happy and then very sad?
• Are you having issues interacting with others due to your feeling depressed?
• Do you think of suicide when you feel sad?
• Is it harder to do things when you’re feeling depressed?
• Do you think that feeling depressed has impacted you physically?
• Is there anything that helps you get better, or makes things worse?
• Do you consume alcohol or drugs?
• Do you sleep more than before, or less?

Take the time to prepare a list of questions that you might want to ask

• Do I need to take some tests?
• What treatment would be best for me?
• What are the side effects?
• How can I deal with my symptoms?
• Are there things I need to avoid?

Lastly, in order to help remain calm and to remember the doctor’s advice, bring someone for support.