COMMON QUESTIONS

I often feel sad but still have good days. Can I be depressed?

Depression comes in many forms. It may be surprising to learn that you can have periods of relief, even fun, and still meet the criteria for a diagnosis of depression. There are several determining factors, most notably how deeply you are impacted by your symptoms and how much your every day life is affected.

If I am diagnosed with an illness, will I be expected to take medication?

Medication is a personal decision. I will be there to walk you through the various treatment options and to provide education about the physical aspects of mental illness. Though I am conservative, I will provide my honest opinion regarding medication and if it’s right for you. But the treatment choice is always yours.

I have a lot of responsibilities. If I decide to seek help will I be expected to come weekly and long term?

No. I will make recommendations but the decision will still be yours. I have patients who come frequently and long term, those who come in when a conflict arises and everything in between. We will set goals based on, among other things, your availability, motivation, time commitment and presenting problems.

How do you make a diagnosis?

I think a label is only as good as the treatment it provides. I do an extensive assessment and evaluation the first few times we meet. I make sure that medical issues can be ruled out first. A diagnosis takes time and understanding of the whole person. Unless you require intensive treatment, I wait to make diagnosis. I will, however share my clinical opinion throughout. I discuss my evaluation openly and make sure there is agreement, understanding and a mutual plan. Assessment and diagnosis is an ongoing process.

I feel like the fact that I need therapy makes me seem unable to cope on my own. Do I really need to do this?

Seeking help speaks to one’s strength. It requires the ability to look inward and realize that it is often essential to accept support from other’s. Seeking care for yourself has the secondary benefit of positively impacting the people you care about.