Great! Now that you have learned more about what depression is, it’s time to gain skills in interviewing patients…

Although many depressed patients seek medical attention, depressive disorders are frequently unrecognized or under-diagnosed. One reason may be the medical care provider’s reluctance to address the subject. Providers who have been working in medical settings may feel that asking about symptoms of depression is intrusive and inappropriate. For many providers who have not had experience working in psychiatric or mental health settings, asking about symptoms of depression or discussing depression can feel awkward at first. This is especially true if the patient does not have obvious symptoms. As providers, we can improve our level of comfort in having these interactions with patients by thinking about and practicing a few simple interviewing skills to initiate a discussion about depression. As you become more comfortable and skilled in doing these assessments, your patients will become more comfortable discussing these issues with you.