Living with Depression? You Need a Primary Care Provider

Also known as clinical depression and major depression, major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mental health condition that causes low moods that persist for long periods of time. Low moods can include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anger, frustration, suicidal ideation, and loss of interest. This can be accompanied by problems with sleep, concentration, and weight/appetite.

MDD can cause significant interference with daily functioning, relationships, responsibilities, and behavior. While MDD is one of the most common causes of disability worldwide, it is also one of the most treatable mental health conditions. While different people respond to different treatments, in most cases, the most effective approach is a combination of medications and psychotherapy (such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy).

Because depression is often treated with medications, treatment is typically overseen by a psychiatrist, a medical doctor that specializes in the treatment of mental health disorders. People with depression may also work with other mental health professionals, such as psychologists, counselors, and social workers, who can oversee therapy.

In addition to working with mental health professionals, people living with depression should also work with a primary care provider.

What is a primary care provider?

A primary care provider is the healthcare provider that a person will visit for annual checkups, when they are ill or have an injury, and to keep up to date with preventive care, like screening for disease risk factors and receiving vaccinations. A primary care provider is often the first healthcare provider a person will see when they have a symptom.

A primary care provider may be an MD (Doctor of Medicine), a DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine), an OB/GYN, a nurse practitioner, or a physician’s assistant. For people under the age of 18, a primary care provider can be a pediatrician.

In many cases, a primary care provider is the first healthcare provider a person will see when they are experiencing symptoms of depression. Many primary care providers include a depression screening as a part of a regular office visit.

Screenings can be helpful for a person who wants to discuss their symptoms, who may not know how to bring up the topic at an appointment. Screenings can also inform a person about what depression symptoms can look like—many people do not realize that symptoms they are experiencing are symptoms of depression.

Why do people with depression need a primary care provider?

While depression can feel all-encompassing at times, people with depression must also manage the other areas of their health—illnesses, preventive care, blood work, and the other aspects of healthcare that a primary care provider will oversee.

Additionally, depression can be triggered by health conditions and medical problems. Physical changes to the nervous system, changes to quality of life, and concerns about the future can all affect how a person thinks and feels. A healthcare provider can screen for any underlying conditions causing or contributing to depression.

Conditions that affect mental health and physical health often have a bidirectional and sometimes cyclical relationship. Depression can make it more difficult to manage a health condition, interfering with a person’s ability to adhere to treatment or take care of their health.

People with depression are at an increased risk of many serious—and common—health conditions. This includes cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Appointments with a primary care provider are essential to screening for these conditions, as well as referrals to healthcare providers who specialize in treating these conditions.