Have an upcoming checkup with your doctor for your depression? Our Good Appointment Guide will help you prepare, know what to ask, and know what to share to get the most out of your visit.

  • Keep a daily mood journal. In it, you should include a rating of your mood each day. Consider using a 1 to 10 scale, where 10 represents the best mood you’ve ever experienced and 1 represents the most depressed you’ve ever felt. You should also record fluctuations in mood, sleep, appetite, and motivation. Note any other symptoms you have, as well as relevant information such as getting bad news or life challenges.
  • Keep a daily medication log, if you take multiple pills, including supplements. Record everything you take, including when you miss doses. On the day of your appointment, gather all prescription and non-prescription medications (and any supplements) to show your provider. It’s important to be clear about everything you take, as it can impact your overall treatment.
  • Make a list of questions you can add to in the weeks leading up to your appointment. Note any new symptoms or symptoms you have questions about. See below for the kinds of questions you may want to ask. Use your time with your doctor to make sure you fully understand the basics of major depressive disorder (MDD).

  • How can I tell if the medication is working?
  • Am I taking my medication(s) correctly? (Time of day, with or without food, etc.)
  • What should I do if I miss a dose of my medication? And do you have any tips that could help me not miss doses?
  • What if I don’t like the way the medication(s) makes me feel?
  • How long will I be on my medication(s)?
  • Are there any research-backed, add-on, or complementary therapies I could use to help manage my depression?
  • Finally, ask any questions you have about things you’ve read on the internet related to your condition. Online health information can range from excellent to completely false, and it’s often difficult to tell the difference. Your doctor can verify facts for you and point you to credible sources.

  • Your doctor can help you manage medication side effects. Side effects may be perceived as embarrassing (for instance, sexual side effects such as erectile difficulty, or the inability to achieve orgasm). This can add to depressive feelings. Sometimes, patients may intentionally miss doses to avoid side effects, or stop taking the medication altogether. When your doctor knows that a medication is having an unwanted side effect, they can work with you to address it, either by giving you a new strategy or finding another medication.
  • People often have unjustified fears of becoming dependent on medications. Your doctor can help you understand the physiology of dependence and let you know if it can happen with any of the medications you take. If you simply don’t like the idea of being on medications long-term and want to accelerate “getting better,” they can also help you find research-backed, complementary therapies that may be effective for depression. For example, adding exercise (even small amounts) to your daily routine can improve mood.
  • You can bring a friend. Some people “freeze” when they’re in their doctor’s office. Others simply have trouble remembering things. If this is you, bring along a trusted friend or family member to help you to communicate more fully with your doctor about your symptoms, questions, and challenges — and also to take notes for you and help you remember what your doctor says.

  • Talk honestly and openly about how your symptoms impact your day-to-day life. Let your doctor know what things your symptoms prevent you from doing, especially the things you need to do to successfully get through the day. This will allow your doctor to help you with any medication changes and overall management strategies.
  • Tell your doctor about any ideas, concerns, or misgivings you have about your depression treatment. You know yourself better than anyone, and you can be your own health advocate.