diagnosed with depression: managing stigma, treatment and support
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being diagnosed with depression can be challenging to hear. while many people deal with the symptoms for an extended period of time before seeking help, finally reaching a definitive diagnosis can be just as difficult. what do you do now? where do you go from here?
“no two people’s experience with depression is the same. there is no one-size-fits-all approach,” says andrea tarantella, a licensed professional counsellor with adhd advisor. “most people have unique needs and different responses to treatment, and could also have co-occurring disorders that have to be considered.”
depression doesn’t always exist independently, and many people with the disorder also develop other mental health conditions alongside it, such as anxiety. the complexity of depression and its common co-occurring conditions make navigating the system and treatment options that much more challenging. it’s not only one thing that people with depression have to contend with, but several.
considering the intricacy of depression and the challenges many face today when coping with the mood disorder, knowing where to start navigating a new diagnosis can add fuel to the already-existing fire.
here’s how you can manage a depression diagnosis.
overcome the stigma around depression
while the stigma surrounding depression continues to waver due to awareness and openness, it still exists heavily in today’s society. many people diagnosed with a mental health disorder, depression especially, feel a sense of shame or embarrassment. this self-imposed stigma affects almost 25 per cent of people under 55 with depression and other mental health disorders.
“i think it’s important as a society that we look at reducing the stigma that surrounds mental health,” tarantella says. as much as societal awareness and newly-appointed mental health days have made a difference, there is still a long way to go when a quarter of people with mental illness feel ashamed of their condition.
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when you’re diagnosed with depression, it’s important to remember that it’s just like any other disease. unlike cancer or other physical disorders, the symptoms associated are unlikely to be visually apparent to those around you. it’s easy for those with depression to mask their symptoms in a way that makes others see them as totally fine. that only perpetuates the stigma surrounding the disorder. you wouldn’t tell someone with a broken leg to walk it off, so telling someone with depression that it’s in their control is just as damaging.
the first step after being diagnosed with depression is knowing that you need the care; it’s there for you because you need it, and there is nothing inherently wrong with you because you developed a mental health disorder.
educate yourself about depression
to arm yourself with the right tools and begin to understand what you can expect, it’s best to start your journey by educating yourself on depression. since the “experience will vary from person to person in how it is processed,” according to tarantella, you’re going to have to learn about the more technical side of depression to get a better understanding of how it affects you and your life.
it also opens you up to the experience of others, which can go a long way in building the foundation of support.
lindsay davies, a registered nurse with ontario shores centre for mental health sciences, has worked with youth suffering from mental health disorders and has seen the benefits from education and a greater sense of community.
“it can help you realize that you are not alone,” she says. “it will help you understand that your symptoms are normal and you are not the only one feeling this way. it can help you understand and accept help.”
establish a primary care physician
a primary care physician is your first point of contact after receiving a depression diagnosis. it’s essential to have someone on your side who knows your unique experience with depression and has access to other medical professionals who can help you navigate the next step in the process: therapy and treatment.
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according to tarantella, the primary care physician is vital to “help in coordinating care” and “navigating the mental health care system.” these generalized physicians may not be able to help you directly, but they open the door for you to walk through when getting yourself organized to fight depression head-on. it’s also vital to ensure you’re completely honest about your experience with depression.
many people who have suicidal thoughts or more severe depression need urgent help with their condition. still, it can be easier to avoid talking about suicide because of the stigma that continues to exist surrounding suicidal thoughts and feelings.
“being completely open and honest with your providers is key,” tarantella asserts. “they are there to help and treat but will struggle to do so effectively if they aren’t given all the information.”
speak to mental health specialists
once you have established your primary care physician, you can seek more specialized care. determining who you should see is a decision you must make with your health-care provider.
do you require the help of a psychologist or psychiatrist? is general counselling enough for you, or do you need to see a mental health specialist who can prescribe you medication, if necessary?
asking yourself these questions and working through your concerns with your primary care physician can help you establish the right course of action when seeking a mental health professional. in some cases, seeing more than one type could be beneficial.
“starting off by consulting with a mental health professional is a good first step after a new diagnosis of depression,” tarantella says. “they will support with treatment planning and what options may look like to fit the individual person.”
it’s not always easy to open up to a new mental health specialist, especially when you’ve just been diagnosed with depression. “a range of emotions may arise after a new diagnosis, and it’s important to acknowledge that,” tarantella says.
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being able to work through these emotions with someone who has been trained to navigate them will help when you start your journey.
understand and cope with roadblocks of depression
“the healthcare system does have some negative aspects that can cause challenges to finding mental health care,” tarantella says.
when you are first diagnosed with depression, knowing what you’re up against can help you navigate the mental healthcare system. one of the most notable hurdles people face with depression is wait times. according to tarantella, “someone seeking mental health care may experience long wait times of weeks to months to even be placed on a waitlist for services.”
this lengthy wait to get the necessary care can be arduous and discouraging. “they cause so much damage. the patient doesn’t feel heard, and they spend months waiting to see a doctor to feel like no one cares, which can lead to further depression and higher self-harm rates. when the time comes when they finally get help, they often need more because they have felt abandoned for so long,” davies said of long wait times.
when you need care now but cannot see a mental health care specialist for months, it can feel like the system has left you behind. government officials handling funding for mental health services are the only ones who can address wait times and accessible, affordable care. in the meantime, it’s essential to refer back to what you’ve learned about coping with depression and how you can self-manage your condition until the time comes when you can see a mental health professional.
the sheer cost of mental health care is another roadblock that many with depression face. “the cost of services and finding affordable care can be a barrier, and these services can be expensive,” says tarantella.
while some services are free in canada, with those long wait times, others that are more prompt are typically only covered by insurance, such as counsellors and medications. if you do not have insurance, those out-of-pocket expenses can put added strain on you, leaving you to cope with even more stress surrounding your diagnosis.
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because of that, knowing what roadblocks you’ll face and how you can cope is the best way to combat the strain of these hurdles.
get to know your treatment options for depression
treatment is vital to coping with depression and its symptoms. as of writing, there are several mainstay treatments with up-and-coming breakthroughs making their way into the medical sphere to address conditions, such as depression, that are often resistant to the current first-line therapies. things such as antidepressants are often prescribed first to manage the symptoms of depression. some of the most common options include:
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (ssris)
- serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (snris)
- noradrenaline and specific serotonergic antidepressants (nassas)
- tricyclic antidepressants (tcas)
- serotonin antagonists and reuptake inhibitors (saris)
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors (maois)
as you can see, there is far more than just one drug on the market to address the symptoms of depression, and these do not even include other interventions that can be taken, such as holistic care revolving around diet, exercise, and lifestyle, or cutting-edge procedures, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (tms) therapy.
knowing your options is a great way to open the conversation about what’s right for you. “treatment should be guided by your specific needs, desires, and the recommendations of a mental health professional,” tarantella says. “when there are concerns about the side effects of medication or medication and therapy together haven’t been effective in treating depression, upcoming therapies like tms may be recommended by a mental health professional.”
“a more holistic approach can be incorporated alongside any and all treatment options as it complements other treatments and contributes to a person’s overall wellbeing.” because of the number of options and the intricate way people experience depression differently, it’s important to be well-educated on your choices. you want to work with a mental health care provider, but you don’t have to take the first medication given to you if you feel it may not be right for you.
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“if medication is recommended to someone, it’s important to keep in mind that it is perfectly acceptable to take your time, do some research, or seek a second opinion,” tarantella says. “the decision to start medication is a personal one. discussing all of the options with a mental health professional can provide someone newly diagnosed with insights into the risks and benefits of different medications.”
that’s when working with a team of specialists can pay off.
staying connected to a support system for depression
connecting with others experiencing depression and organizations that have resources for depression is a great way to ensure that you still have a support system to turn to, even if you have to wait to see the right mental health professionals. it may not seem like much, but going through depression alone can exacerbate symptoms.
dr. james c. jackson, psyd, a professor of medicine at vanderbilt university medical center in nashville, tennessee, told everyday health, “the more people get depressed, the more they isolate, a fact that heightens feelings of loneliness, which, in turn, worsens depression. it is often a vicious cycle.”
instead of perpetuating the cycle, it’s vital to fight the urge to self-isolate when dealing with a new diagnosis of depression. professional groups and community organizations that deal with depression are a great place to start when looking to connect with others who are experiencing depression, but, as tarantella says, “it may be beneficial to consider, when supportive and safe, to seek support from friends and family.”
you must establish a care team that plays different roles. your primary care physician and mental health care providers can take control of the medical side of your team. support groups and other local organizations can allow you to connect to new individuals who are experiencing the same thing you are, and friends and family can be there for you on days when seeing your mental health provider or support group community isn’t possible.
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establishing and maintaining connections with people who can help you learn new ways to cope or be there with you when you are experiencing the worst symptoms imaginable is a great way to use every part of the system to your advantage.
navigating the healthcare system after being diagnosed with depression can often feel like a full-time job. it can be downright overwhelming with wait times, high costs, and difficulty finding the proper mental health professional or treatment. but, with the right help and knowledge, guiding yourself through diagnosis to symptom relief can be much easier.
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