How easy is it to get treatement for depression?

Getting for and paying for service is one level. For me, that was the easiest step, but for my daughter, the most difficult step.

The second step is finding a provider that fits you.
If you go for talk therapy, you need someone that is accessible but detached and still understands your way of thinking and talking. I went to a therapist once who, while trying to develop camaraderie with me, called my grandma a slut—that was the end of our trust developing. Later, I was misdiagnosed by a psychiatrist who did not take into account that I came from a different culture and had a very different personality than him. Those two were disasters, but I did have an excellent therapist that got me to a good place.

Third, if you and the therapist can work together, you have to find out if their treatment plan is something you want to go through. Most therapists subscribe to a specific therapeutic approach (good list of different types)

Fourth, if you are considering medication… it really is a hit and miss, trial and error approach. For many people, medication helps, but some people have to go through a few months of experimenting with different medicines before the right one is found.

Is it easy to get professional help… I don’t think it is, but the REWARDS are worth every step.

Depression is nothing to fuck with especially if it is coupled with anxiety. Sadly it’s big business but a good counselor should be your first choice. If you cannot find the source of what is dragging you down or are not functioning you probably need some meds. Meds are hit or miss but generics are quite cheap. Often docs will prescribe the latest and greatest that have marginal or no benefit over the previous gen. The difference could be a couple hundred dollars a month. Generics can be as low as $10 a month. Just ask for the generic version. You may be tempted to drink alcohol but that will make it worse. On the flip side if you normally drink even “moderately” and stop that can cause depression. (I have seen this with some close friends)whatever you do do not fight it alone, get the help you need.

In Canada, often you can ask your GP or a doctor at a CLSC for a referral, and go from there. If you tell everyone in the chain that you have no money, you can usually find people to treat mental illness pro bono for at least short periods until you find your feet or figure out what to do on a more long term basis. The hardest thing is often getting a single therapist you can see regularly for a long time. But if you don’t mind seeing different therapists, I think you can usually work something out. I don’t have personal experience with this, but I’ve had a couple of friends who have.

With insurance, pretty easy. You may have to try out several psychiatrists (not psychologist, as they cannot prescribe accompanying medication) before finding a compatible one. Don’t assume you have to continue to see the first doc you meet. Finding the right match is well worth it.

You do know that one of the treatments used for depression is electro shock therapy.

^^ why start at the finish line?

^^^^ I know a woman whose children et al caused her tremendous depression and the doctors (Muncie Indiana) sent her in for EST.
She swore by it. Seems for some people the EST is like putting a bandage over the memories causing the depression.
It worked for some years until her children managed to rip the EST bandage off and she became a bi-polar blow-up.
Now that was amazing to see. This time her manic went off and she required hospitalization and Lithium.

Sounds like a poster child.

Your primary care physician can start you on an anti-depressant and monitor you. What usually is harder than getting treatment is persevering until you get effective treatment for your case. You often have to try several meds or you may even need a combination of meds.

I would just admit myself to the hospital saying I was really close to suicide. They will probably help you out from there. You might just be locked up for a few days.

@Dan_Lyons Shock therapy? :/

Thanks for the answers everyone.

Yes @Symbeline also Known As Electroconvulsive Therapy

I am not suggesting this for anyone, just letting you know it is out there, in use.

Ha, wow, didn’t know that was actually still a thing.