Many patients are referred to psychiatrists to treat their depression. New patients that come to West End Consultation Group for depressive symptoms usually expect immediate recommendations and prescriptions for an antidepressant for depression because that is what a psychiatrist does, right? Not always.
Case Study: Addressing Medical Symptoms & Providing Alternative Depression Treatment
A young woman patient came into WECG for depression earlier this week. Our psychiatric specialists ordered labs that showed she has iron deficient anemia. Prescribing an antidepressant would not do anything to relieve the fatigue that she has been experiencing. She has a long history of depression, but that does not mean that her current episode of fatigue should be attributed to depression. She was prescribed iron, and we coordinated with her primary doctor for further assessment of the cause of her iron deficiency anemia. We will meet to monitor her response to iron treatment and continue to assess for psychiatric symptoms.
Case Study: Providing an Accurate New Diagnosis for Depression
Another example from this past year includes a young woman who was referred to West End Consultation Group because she was suicidal. She reported that the main reason for her suicidal ideation was unbearable facial pain. She had been diagnosed with TMJ syndrome but wasn’t experiencing any relief from the pain. Our team of professional psychiatrists conducted a psychiatric assessment and assessed her facial pain symptoms. They discovered that her facial pain symptoms were more consistent with a Trigeminal Neuralgia diagnosis than TMJ syndrome. The patient was skeptical, but she agreed to a Tegretol prescription to treat Trigeminal Neuralgia. When returning for follow-up a week later, she started to cry and expressed gratitude for relieving her facial pain. She was frustrated that her Trigeminal Neuralgia had never been diagnosed and that she was unnecessarily put on multiple medications in the past in an attempt to relieve her chronic pain. Her facial pain has not returned in six months, and she wants to begin tapering off the antidepressant she was on previously.
Antidepressants are Only One Part of Comprehensive Mental Health Treatment
There are many physical illnesses that can appear similar to how depression is experienced in some patients. One example is cases of mononucleosis in the winter. For patients with a history of depression, some providers may be inclined to assume that fatigue and other symptoms are a result of recurring depression. Patients at West End Consultation Group appreciate that we are thorough in assessing for other conditions before starting any psychiatric medication.
These are just a few examples of why a thorough assessment is so important for comprehensive mental and physical health treatment. There are more factors that can contribute to a diagnosis when it appears a patient has symptoms of depression. Many psychiatrists have similar examples of how other pathologies, such as thyroid disorders, cancers, and neurological disorders, have been the cause or a contributing factor to symptoms perceived as depression.
As physicians and psychiatrists, it’s crucial to look beyond just symptoms and carefully discover the cause and contributing factors of what appears to be depression. An antidepressant isn’t always the answer, and sometimes depression conceals a hidden health problem.
Contact WECG for an Accurate Depression & Mental Health Diagnosis
At West End Consultation Group, we prioritize finding the root of the problem before diagnosing anyone. If you have medical or health issues impacting your mental health, our psychiatrist specialists can work with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. We know that you need answers, and getting the right diagnosis is very important.
If you are looking for alternative treatment options for depression or want to make sure you receive an accurate mental health diagnosis, contact WECG or request an appointment today.
Medical Disclaimer:
Please remember that all medical information provided in this post must be considered educational only. This blog should not be relied upon as a medical judgment and does not replace a medical professional’s judgement about the appropriateness or risks of a procedure or condition for a given patient. We will do our best to provide you with information that may help you make your own healthcare decisions. Please do not follow any instructions or information without first consulting with your physician or mental health provider.
