What happens when someone has felt depressed for quite some time but doesn’t want to go to a psychiatrist for antidepressant medication? Fortunately, that person’s Family Physician in Wichita Kansas can prescribe this valuable medicine after a physical exam and consultation about what’s happening in the patient’s life. Statistics show that more than half of antidepressant medication prescriptions are issued by family doctors, so this is not something unusual. If the depression seems related to grief or stress, the doctor may encourage the patient to also seek to counsel with a licensed psychologist or social worker.
A patient may prefer to have his or her Family Physician in Wichita Kansas prescribe antidepressants rather than beginning a new patient-doctor relationship with a psychiatrist. In addition, because psychiatrists are specialists, their services tend to be more expensive, and health insurance may not cover the appointments without a referral from a family doctor. The patient already knows and trusts the family physician, and that doctor is familiar with the person’s medical history.
When receiving a prescription for this medication from a clinic such as Wichita Family Medicine Specialists LLC, the patient will likely need to see the doctor again before a prescription renewal is made. The physician wants to make sure the patient is dealing with unnecessary side effects and is experiencing some relief from the depressive symptoms. Since a wide variety of these drugs are available, one that is not effective or causes unpleasant effects can be discontinued. Each person reacts differently to the various pharmaceutical products, so continuing to work with the doctor on a better solution is advisable.
Examples of commonly prescribed antidepressants include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). These have replaced most of the older types of drugs used to treat depression as they have proved to be safer and are less likely to cause side effects. They have different effects on brain chemistry, but the result is a lifting of mood that allows the patient to feel more motivated and be more productive as well as to better enjoy social relationships and recreational activities once more.
