See a provider online for same-day renewal of depression medication

Depression often arises from a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors — such as genetic vulnerability, brain‑chemical imbalance, chronic stress, trauma, medical illness, or significant life changes. Harvard Health+1
Risk factors include a family history of depression, past episodes, major loss or trauma, ongoing medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, heart disease), low social support, and substance use. Medical News Today+1

Your primary care provider (PCP) plays a key role because depression can affect — and be affected by — your overall health (e.g., thyroid issues, vitamin deficiencies, chronic illness). They can screen you, rule out underlying medical causes, coordinate care, and refer you to specialty mental‑health services if needed. Kaiser Permanente+1

Diagnosis typically involves:

1. A detailed evaluation of your symptoms, history, and functioning.

2. Use of standardized screening tools (for example, the PHQ‑9) to assess severity. Wikipedia+1

3. Ruling out other medical or psychiatric causes (such as thyroid disease, anemia, bipolar disorder) that might mimic depression. Kaiser Permanente

• Ensure you get good sleep, routine physical activity, and eat balanced meals.

• Build and lean on a strong social support system — talk to trusted friends or family.

• Practice stress reduction techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, or deep‑breathing exercises.

• Avoid excessive alcohol or substance use, which can worsen mood.

• Monitor and address triggers (such as high stress, poor sleep, or isolation) and keep a mood‑journal to observe patterns.

Medication often takes 4 to 6 weeks (sometimes longer) to show full effect, although some symptom relief may be felt sooner. Your provider will monitor progress, adjust dosage as needed, and check for side‑effects. According to clinical guidelines, medication plus therapy often leads to better outcomes. aapp.org

Therapy (such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, mindfulness‑based approaches) is a key component of treatment. It can help you understand and change patterns of thought, behavior, and emotion that contribute to depression. Combined therapy + medication is often more effective than either alone. ADAA

Not necessarily. Duration depends on your individual condition, history, risk of recurrence, and how well you respond to treatment. Some people may need long‑term maintenance; others may taper off under guidance once stable. Your provider will review your case regularly and decide a plan together with you.

Pregnancy requires careful consideration of both maternal and fetal health. Some antidepressant medications are considered relatively safe in pregnancy; other approaches (therapy, lifestyle modification) may also be prioritized. You’ll want to work closely with your OB/GYN and a mental‑health specialist to weigh benefits vs risks. Clinical guidelines emphasize individualized care. American Psychological Association

If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, treat this as a medical emergency: call 911 (in the U.S.) or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. You can also call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (dial 988) for free, 24/7 support.

Take it seriously. Talk to them, ask directly if they’re thinking of harming themselves, and encourage them to seek immediate help (call 911, go to the emergency room). If they’re willing, help them call 988 or connect them with a mental‑health professional. Stay with them until help arrives.