Doctor Discussion Guide: I've been diagnosed with depression

If you have recently been diagnosed with depression, have questions about depression, or are not sure whether your illness is under control, talking to your doctor or psychiatrist (a doctor who specializes in mental health conditions) can help. It is important for your doctor to understand how your depression is affecting your daily life and normal functioning.

This doctor discussion guide will help you talk to your doctor or psychiatrist about your depression.

Remember to ask for extra time when making your appointment so that you won't feel rushed during your discussion.

To print your personalized doctor discussion guide:

Answer the questions as best as you can.
Click on "print results" when you are done answering the questions.
The printout will contain a summary of the information you provided.

About you

What is your age?

When were you diagnosed with depression?
(month year)

Emotions

What symptoms are you experiencing?

For each statement choose a number from 0 to 4 that describes the impact on your daily life, where 4 has the highest impact and 0 has no impact:

0 = no impact on daily life/no symptoms
1 = mild impact on daily life
2 = moderate impact on daily life
3 = severe impact on daily life
4 = debilitating impact on daily life

FACT: Depression can affect anyone at any age, although it most commonly appears between 15 and 45 years of age.

I feel a sense of sadness and/or hopelessness

0

1

2

3

4

No Impact

Mild

Moderate

Severe

Debilitating

I feel restless and/or irritable

0

1

2

3

4

No Impact

Mild

Moderate

Severe

Debilitating

I have lost interest in hobbies and activities I once enjoyed

0

1

2

3

4

No Impact

Mild

Moderate

Severe

Debilitating

I have thoughts of self-harm, death, or suicide (if you have these thoughts, please seek medical help immediately)

0

1

2

3

4

No Impact

Mild

Moderate

Severe

Debilitating

Fatigue

What symptoms are you experiencing?

For each statement choose a number from 0 to 4 that describes the impact on your daily life, where 4 has the highest impact and 0 has no impact:

0 = no impact on daily life/no symptoms
1 = mild impact on daily life
2 = moderate impact on daily life
3 = severe impact on daily life
4 = debilitating impact on daily life

FACT: Serious depression affects about 11% of Canadians at some time in their lives, and about 4% during any given year

I do not have the energy to do the things I need or want to do

0

1

2

3

4

No Impact

Mild

Moderate

Severe

Debilitating

I think the lack of energy could be related to depression instead of another health issue

Yes

Possibly

No

Sleep

What symptoms are you experiencing?

For each statement choose a number from 0 to 4 that describes the impact on your daily life, where 4 has the highest impact and 0 has no impact:

0 = no impact on daily life/no symptoms
1 = mild impact on daily life
2 = moderate impact on daily life
3 = severe impact on daily life
4 = debilitating impact on daily life

FACT: During depression treatment, sleep and appetite often improve before your mood improves.

I am sleeping too much

0

1

2

3

4

No Impact

Mild

Moderate

Severe

Debilitating

I am having trouble getting enough sleep

0

1

2

3

4

No Impact

Mild

Moderate

Severe

Debilitating

I have other sleep problems that are impacting my life

0

1

2

3

4

No Impact

Mild

Moderate

Severe

Debilitating

Weight

What symptoms are you experiencing?

For each statement choose a number from 0 to 4 that describes the impact on your daily life, where 4 has the highest impact and 0 has no impact:

0 = no impact on daily life/no symptoms
1 = mild impact on daily life
2 = moderate impact on daily life
3 = severe impact on daily life
4 = debilitating impact on daily life

FACT: Weight loss is considered significant if you gain or lose more than 5% of your body weight within a month.

I have been losing weight recently without trying

0

1

2

3

4

No Impact

Mild

Moderate

Severe

Debilitating

I have been gaining weight recently without trying

0

1

2

3

4

No Impact

Mild

Moderate

Severe

Debilitating

Thinking and concentrating

What symptoms are you experiencing?

For each statement choose a number from 0 to 4 that describes the impact on your daily life, where 4 has the highest impact and 0 has no impact:

0 = no impact on daily life/no symptoms
1 = mild impact on daily life
2 = moderate impact on daily life
3 = severe impact on daily life
4 = debilitating impact on daily life

FACT: Having a close relative with depression, experiencing childhood trauma or the death of a loved one, or worrying a lot about problems may increase the likelihood of experiencing an episode of depression

I have difficulty concentrating

0

1

2

3

4

No Impact

Mild

Moderate

Severe

Debilitating

I have difficulty thinking clearly

0

1

2

3

4

No Impact

Mild

Moderate

Severe

Debilitating

I have trouble making decisions

0

1

2

3

4

No Impact

Mild

Moderate

Severe

Debilitating

Unexplained Aches and Pains

What symptoms are you experiencing?

For each statement choose a number from 0 to 4 that describes the impact on your daily life, where 4 has the highest impact and 0 has no impact:

0 = no impact on daily life/no symptoms
1 = mild impact on daily life
2 = moderate impact on daily life
3 = severe impact on daily life
4 = debilitating impact on daily life

FACT: Up to 76% of people with depression also experience physical symptoms, such as headache, stomach pain, and back pain

I am bothered by unexplained aches and pains (headache, stomach pain, other pains)

0

1

2

3

4

No Impact

Mild

Moderate

Severe

Debilitating

About you

Emotions

Fatigue

Sleep

Weight

Thinking and concentrating

Unexplained Aches and Pains

Specifics about symptoms

Questions you may want to ask your doctor

Results