If one is depressed and has no access to a psychiatrist, what is the best thing to do to cope with the condition?

I think they should go to their family doctor and get a prescription for an anti-depressant.

There are many ways to get insurance for those who do not have it through work. There are programs for people who can not afford it. There are even psychiatrists and therapists who will see people on a sliding scale. They will only charge what you can afford.

Also, if you can’t access a psychiatrist because there are none in your area, it is possible to get help over the internet.

There are a lot of ways to gain access to mental health care, but what you do depends on your specific circumstances. We can’t really give a general answer. If there is a specific person in this situation, we’d need to know their circumstances, and then we could come up with a plan to get them help.

What @marinelife said.
When some of my elderly relatives have showed signs of depression after health changing or life changing (death of spouse) events, their physician has given them a prescription for an anti-depressant. They’ve also been given counseling/therapist information for their particular insurance plan.

People can also contact their local branch of the Health & Human Services Dept for information if they don’t have insurance.

Exercise is the single best anti-depressant. And it’s free.

“I’m quite certain there are a lot of people out there who are depressed but for all sorts of reason, do not have access to professionals who might be able to help them. ”

I think you are wrong in your certainty. County hospitals provide just about all the medical services a person needs for example.

@Charles, you know not everyone in the world lives in the United States, right?

I opted out of medication, and reluctantly went to a few therapy sessions. The therapy wasn’t a waste; I learned that I just need to change my lifestyle. I think a change of lifestyle would help many people. I think exercise, nutritious diet, and socializing can do a lot. Also, the majority of people that I know who probably have depression are depressed because of their life situation– kids they didn’t want, a job they hate, a partner who they no longer love, etc. They don’t need a pill, they need a lifestyle change as well.

What do I think they actually do? They ignore it. Or, they use coping mechanisms like drinking, overeating, or acting out at work. I witness this more than I’d care to.

Read some self help books, talk to supportive friends and family.

Most people do not see psychiatrists for depression, they see counselors. Depending on the severity they might be referred to a psychiatrist. Talk therapy can help in a lot of cases, but it really depends on the depression. If it is a crisis, very accute, serious intervention might be needed. If the person is suicidal there is a toll free suicide hotline that can help.

There was a study recently done that showed very little difference in efficacy between antidepressants and placebo, except in the case of severe depression. Personally I don’t like the idea of antidepressants, but some people say they can’t live without theirs, that it made them feel normal. Conditions like bipolar usually do need medication, and if it is a possibilty it should be ruled out.

Also, thyroid problems can cause depression, and that is a simple inexpensive blood test to get it checked.

I hate doing this, but please, see my answer to this question from late yesterday. In it, I give a list of what I do to battle depression. Some of it has to do with seeing a psychiatrist and a therapist, but other points are valid here.

You can get some cheap CBT books. You can see if any psychiatrists will do a sliding scale, or find someone who’s still in school and needs to get field hours.

Kick yourself in the butt and get out there and do something, go for a walk, its free, join a gym,take up a team sport, take a class, force yourself to go, I am going today, I really didn’t wan’t to go yesterday but enjoyed it once I was there. Try not to be alone, left alone in a dark room depession festers and gets even worse.