";s:4:"text";s:3744:"Undertreating may take the form of prescribing too little medication or medication best used for different mental health issues. Depression is not a one-size-fits-all condition, so symptoms often vary widely from patient to patient. With the newer medications also comes more educational material for family practitioners, which is crucial considering it is family doctors who treat a majority of the people who seek help for depression.Dr. With that being said, here are some of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. Another important thing to note is that if you have any symptoms of depression or anxiety, your doctor will also want to rule out any other potential underlying causes that may mimic depression. Not sure where you researched, his fears are valid. Warning: The use of certain antidepressants to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adolescents may increase the risk of suicidal…Warning: The use of certain antidepressants to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adolescents may increase the risk of suicidal…Medication for Anxiety and Depression Anxiety disorder affects nearly 40 million American adults each year — that’s roughly 18.1% of… Many people don’t know that depression may be what is causing their insomnia, fatigue, or other physical issues. In most cases they are fully qualified to access your mental health and recommend treatment, including antidepressant prescriptions, or they can refer you to a specialist. View all 10 comments. If your family doctor refers you to a psychologist or psychiatrist, they likely realize how important it is to start treatment with a proper diagnosis in hand.Psychiatrists have an understanding of which antidepressants work best for specific symptoms. Unfortunately, when many of the symptoms of depression are viewed independently, it delays appropriate treatment. If you or your doctor feel that your mental health treatment plan may benefit from the addition of an antidepressant, your primary care doctor can prescribe one for you. Keep in mind that medication combined with therapy is usually the most effective treatment for depression. Family doctors generally have an understanding of the most common symptoms of depression. John Greden is a psychiatrist and director of the University of Michigan’s Depression Center has expressed the fact that many patients with mild to moderate depression often receive appropriate treatment from their general practitioners. While these side effects are often temporary, many patients do not know this, so they stop taking the antidepressants before they have had a chance to make a difference.Educating family doctors about antidepressants can help, but until training and experience have taught them about the different ways depression can manifest, many patients are simply treated for their physical symptoms. A team approach to treating depression is often the most beneficial for patients. Yes, any physician can prescribe antidepressants. Depression impacts people in many different ways. It’s important to speak with your doctor if you have any concerns about your mental health. Leah likes writing about health and science subjects.