Your doctor

Your doctor should be your first stop if you suspect you may be suffering from depression. He or she will either be able to get your treatment started or refer you to a practising psychiatrist or, in the severest cases, arrange for you to be admitted to hospital.

But did you know that about half of people suffering from depression who should receive treatment never go to the doctor? And out of those who do go to the doctor, 25-30% have previously suffered from depression. They go to the doctor because they realise that their depression has returned.

Far too few people who are suffering from depression for the first time therefore go to the doctor. In connection with this, you should know that we doctors see depression as a "nice" illness. This is because we can treat it. 99% of sufferers become healthy, happy and cheerful people again, because the treatment works.

Physical symptoms can deceive

Unfortunately, not everyone suffering from depression who goes to the doctor will be diagnosed with depression. Various surveys show that 10-20% of patients who go to the doctor are diagnosed with a physical illness due to their physical symptoms. This is because many people who are suffering from depression describe physical symptoms, and these symptoms can lead to the doctor sometimes failing to diagnose depression.

Thanks to additional training and courses, doctors have however become better at diagnosing depression. This is reflected in the increase in the amount of antidepressants being prescribed.

On the other hand, there are also physical disorders which can give depression-like symptoms, such as metabolic disorders and low haemoglobin percentage. And these disorders should of course not be treated with antidepressants.

90% are treated by the doctor.
Virtually all patients suffering from depression start their treatment with their doctor. 90% of patients who are treated for depression are treated by their doctor. Practising psychiatrists and the hospital sector cover the final 10%.

Many patients who go to their doctor do not go of their own free will. They are often urged to go to the doctor by people around them (their spouse or partner, children, friends, work colleagues or employer).

Few people who suffer from depression need hospital treatment. Sufferers who are admitted are often at risk of committing suicide or have not accepted the serious illness they are suffering from.