Working With Your Doctor

See a Doctor for Help

If you think you might suffer from depression or an anxiety condition, it's important to talk to a doctor. Doctors deal with issues like this every day, so there's no need to feel self-conscious. Depression and anxiety conditions are real medical conditions that can be treated. Your doctor can determine if you have one of these conditions and decide what to do next.

Who Can Help

In addition to your regular doctor, you can turn to other doctors or healthcare professionals who can help find a treatment that's right for you.

Other professionals who can help are:

Psychiatrists

Nurse practitioners

Physician assistants

Clinical psychologists

Social workers

Mental health counselors

Taking the First Step: Making an Appointment

The first step is to call your healthcare professional's office and make an appointment.

The receptionist might ask the reason for your appointment. If you don't feel like sharing the details, you don't have to. Instead, you might want to tell the receptionist you would rather discuss your condition directly with your healthcare professional.

Your condition is a personal matter. It's your right to keep it between you and your healthcare professional.

Preparing for Your Office Visit

Knowing what to expect during your office visit can make you feel more comfortable talking about your condition. It can also allow you to make the most of your time with your healthcare professional.

You might want to prepare for your visit by thinking about these questions.

What are my symptoms?

If you're not sure what they are, you might want to take a look at one or more of the checklists on this site.

What questions do I have for my healthcare professional about my condition?

Has anyone else in my family had this condition?

You should also prepare a list of medicines you're currently taking, including:

Prescription medicines

Medicines you buy from a drugstore, such as pain relievers, cold medicines, and sleeping medicines

Natural or herbal remedies

Also make a note of how much of each medicine you're taking. This will save time and keep you from having to remember everything during your appointment. It will also help out your doctor.

Knowing Your Symptoms

A good way to see if you suffer from one of these conditions is to compare your symptoms against the symptoms associated with each condition.

Print out a checklist from the list below, fill out your answers, and bring to your appointment to share with your doctor. It's a good way to start a conversation about your condition.

Click on the condition you would like a checklist for:

Depression
Social Anxiety Disorder
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Panic Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Previous: Tips for Managing Anxiety Symptoms

Next: Importance of Therapy

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Depression is a serious medical condition, which can lead to suicidal thoughts and behavior. Children, adolescents, and young adults taking antidepressants may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behavior within the first few months of treatment. This risk must be balanced with the medical need. Those starting medication or changing doses should be watched closely for suicidal thoughts, worsening of depression, or unusual changes in mood or behavior. In children and teens, Zoloft is only approved for use in those with obsessive-compulsive disorder. A patient Medication Guide about "Antidepressant Medicines, Depression and Other Serious Mental Illnesses, and Suicidal Thoughts or Actions" is available.

Zoloft is not for everyone. People taking MAOIs or pimozide shouldn't take Zoloft. Concomitant use of Zoloft with NSAIDs or aspirin may be associated with an increased risk of bleeding. Side effects may include dry mouth, insomnia, sexual side effects, diarrhea, nausea and sleepiness. In studies, few people were bothered enough by side effects to stop taking Zoloft. Side effects may result from stopping Zoloft particularly when abrupt. You should, however, stop taking Zoloft if you get any of the following symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome, a rare but life-threatening reaction, such as fever, sweating, muscle stiffness, trouble thinking clearly, a change in mental functioning, sleepiness, or change in your breathing, heartbeat and blood pressure.

You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, as there is a potential risk to the fetus with Zoloft. Like many antidepressants, Zoloft can be present in breast milk so tell your doctor if you are nursing.

Zoloft is approved to treat depression, social anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in adults over age 18. It is also approved for OCD in children and adolescents age 6-17 years.

Zoloft is not habit-forming and is not associated with weight gain. So talk to your doctor about how Zoloft might help you. Zoloft comes in 25-mg, 50-mg, and 100-mg tablets. You and your doctor can discuss a dose for you.

The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.

This product information is intended only for residents of the United States. The products discussed herein may have different product labeling in different countries.

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