Can Primary Care Physicians Prescribe Antidepressants?

Are you experiencing feelings of hopelessness or sadness but struggling to understand why? Do you often feel worried, uneasy, or afraid even when there is no obvious source for your angst? If these emotions sound familiar, you may be experiencing depression, anxiety, or both.

Depression and anxiety intersect as being depressed often makes a person anxious, and anxiety tends to lead to depression. Approximately 280 million people worldwide have some form of depression.

Fortunately, there are effective options for treating depression and anxiety, such as behavioral therapy, antidepressant medication, or a combination of both. While these types of emotions can make a person feel alone in their struggles, studies show that many individuals are dealing with depression or anxiety. According to a 2019 survey, 9.8% of all patients in the state of Colorado are taking some form of antidepressant.

If you suspect that you might have depression or anxiety, speak with your primary care doctor about your concerns. They can assess your symptoms and, if appropriate, prescribe medication, such as an antidepressant, that best fits your needs.

Antidepressants are prescribed medications used to treat depression, insomnia, and anxiety.

Antidepressants may help improve how a person’s brain utilizes chemicals that regulate mood or stress. There are many types of antidepressants, and each one works differently.

1.     Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) – The most commonly prescribed antidepressants that treat depression by increasing serotonin levels.

2.     Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) – Treat depression by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine.

3.     Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants (TCAs) – Ease symptoms of depression by boosting levels of serotonin and epinephrine in the brain.

4.     Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) – Works by blocking enzymes that remove norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine from the brain.

5.     Atypical antidepressants are those antidepressants that do not fit into any of the other classes of antidepressants – They work by changing the levels of one or more neurotransmitters.

Everyone’s body and brain are different, which means there is no single antidepressant that will work for everyone. Your doctor may need to have you try more than one antidepressant before finding the one that works the best for you.

To determine the most appropriate medication, your doctor will likely ask you several questions, such as:

Individuals experiencing symptoms ranging from moderate to severe may benefit the most from taking an antidepressant in combination with other therapeutics.

People with depression or anxiety may experience any or all of the following symptoms:

Treatments for depression, anxiety, and insomnia are crafted based on the severity of symptoms and how much symptoms affect the patient’s quality of life. Treatment typically involves behavioral therapy, medication, or a combination of both.

Antidepressant medications are often prescribed, most commonly those that fall into the category of SSRIs. Behavior therapy is another treatment option typically used for managing anxiety and depression.

Primary care physicians, in addition to psychiatrists, can prescribe antidepressants to their patients. To assess if antidepressants are right for you, your physician will take a detailed medical history and likely ask a series of questions to determine your specific symptoms and their severity level.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of depression, anxiety, or insomnia, it might be time to talk to your doctor about antidepressant medication. Take an important step towards treating your mental and emotional health by being open and candid with your primary care physician about any concerns or struggles you may be having.

Receiving antidepressants directly from your primary care physician offers several benefits.

1. Your primary care doctor has direct knowledge of all your current medications and over-the-counter supplements, making it easier to prescribe an antidepressant that will work best with other medicines you are already taking.

2. If you need immediate help to manage depression or anxiety, you will be seen faster by your primary care provider, as wait times to see a psychiatrist are often lengthy.

3. The cost of primary care is often less than that of psychiatry; therefore, receiving care directly from your primary doctor will likely save you money.

4. Since mental health issues can affect the body and often result in related physical health issues, receiving treatment from your primary care doctor enables you to receive medical attention to support both your physical and mental health.

5. Some primary care providers, such as Colorado Primary Health Care , offer integrated mental health services, making it more convenient to receive the care you need.

Having a primary care physician who can also treat your anxiety or depression with antidepressants is optimal as it allows centralized treatment and ensures continuity of care. Colorado Primary Health Care provides convenient solutions for all your medical needs by providing a wide range of medical treatments and services for people of all ages.

If you are searching for a doctor who can treat your anxiety or depression in the Littleton or Greater Denver areas, we invite you to book an appointment using our online form or by calling our office at (303) 703-8583.

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