Depression treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Maple is a virtual care platform that connects you with doctors and other healthcare providers via text, audio, or video. After you log in to your Maple account, you can request an online consultation.

Consultations work similarly to in-person appointments — the doctor can complete an assessment by asking questions about your symptoms, going through your health history, and determining what treatment is right for you. If they think your condition is more serious, they may tell you to go to a clinic for an in-person examination.

As a Maple member, you get 24/7 access to virtual primary care online and more. You can connect with our network of providers via text, audio, or video call within minutes.

Our membership costs $79.99/month and covers virtual care for patients and their families, including the primary account holder's spouse and any dependents.

For patients in eligible provinces, our membership includes:

• Access to daily primary care provider visits: One daily visit with a primary care provider for each family member in their household.
• Paediatric care: Covered paediatric primary care visits, available by appointment.
• Second medical opinions: access to a network of experts for a second opinion if diagnosed with a complex condition (e.g. cancer).
• Personal Health Check-Ins: A series of personalized, evidence-based proactive care screenings to maintain and improve health.
• iCBT courses: Access to iCBT (internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy) self-assessment and courses.
• Access to specialists in eligible provinces: Easy access to specialists on Maple within days, not months. No referral is needed.
• Specialist referrals in eligible provinces: Ability to be referred to a physician specialist for in-person care, if needed.
• Credit discounts: An $80 credit per month to be applied to a Maple specialist visit.

Please note that our membership cannot be combined with other offerings, such as private insurance coverage and provincial programs, where available. In some cases, membership fees can be covered by a Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) — check with your HSA provider for more details.

We accept all major credit cards, including AMEX cards, as well as Google and Apple Pay.

At Maple, we proudly prioritize privacy as a cornerstone of our virtual care services. We strictly adhere to privacy and healthcare legislation in Canada, such as PIPEDA and PHIPA regulations, to ensure patients' personal and health information remains completely private and safeguarded.

Our policies and consent processes are designed to be simple and easily understood, empowering individuals with control and a clear understanding of their healthcare journey. When using our services, a patient’s session is protected by a comprehensive security infrastructure and stringent data policies.

Patients also retain full control of their personal health information, medical records and test results at all times. Our approach is reinforced by consultations with leading experts, guaranteeing comprehensive policy frameworks that are reviewed at a regular cadence.

All providers delivering healthcare through Maple are licensed in Canada and governed by their licensing regulatory colleges, and in all instances, must act in accordance with the governing principles set out in the telemedicine policies of each medical regulator in the applicable province.

Regulators across Canada support and recognize the value of services like ours, and the way in which they can benefit patients, physicians, and Canada’s broader healthcare system by improving access to care and increasing efficiencies in the delivery of care.

Yes, you can. A healthcare provider from Maple would like to know about any symptoms or signs of depression that you’re currently experiencing. They’ll also want to discuss your personal and family medical histories, as well as any history of mental illnesses that you or your family may have.

They may also suggest additional lab testing, including blood work. In some cases, the healthcare provider may refer you to a psychotherapist for a psychological evaluation.

Once the healthcare professional is able to offer you a clear diagnosis on your depression, they’ll be able to suggest appropriate depression treatments.

Depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is a mood disorder that results in feelings like sadness, lethargy, and loss.

This condition is very common, affecting as much as one sixth of all people at some point in their life. It can appear at any time in life, but most frequently occurs between the late teens and mid-20’s.

Depression symptoms can affect how you think, feel, and behave, which can lead to a number of physical or emotional issues. This could manifest as interference with your work, withdrawal from your loved ones, or even suicidal thoughts.

The signs of depression can manifest differently depending on your age and gender. Depression symptoms can have a huge impact on your daily life, and for people experiencing depression, it can be a difficult topic to discuss.

If a loved one is showing signs of depression, you may need to help guide them towards medical assistance in managing their condition. Noticing the signs of depression can be a critical step towards getting them the help they need.

The most frequently occurring signs of depression include:

• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
• Loss of interest in hobbies and pastimes that normally bring joy
• Reduced appetite and weight loss
• Increased appetite and weight gain
• Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or oversleeping)
• Bursts of anger, frustration, or general irritability over inconsequential issues
• Lowered sex drive or loss of interest in sex
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• Fixating on past failures
• Self-blaming
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Frequent thoughts of death or suicidal thoughts
• Unexplainable physical issues (headache, aches and pains, etc.)
• Fatigue or lack of energy
• Missing work or school for extended periods of time
• Feeling misunderstood by peers
• Self-harm
• Avoiding social interaction
• Withdrawing from loved ones
• Not wanting to leave the house
• Cancelling plans that previously excited them

There are a few different factors that are believed to potentially cause depression. However, there are no definitive answers on what exactly causes depression.

The most common factors that are believed to cause depression to develop include:

• Hormones
• Brain chemistry
• Family history of depression
• Biological differences
• Medical conditions
• Chronic pain
• Drug use
• Trauma
• Abuse
• Personal history of mental illness
• Low self-esteem
• Prolonged or severe stress
• Chronic or severe illness
• Being part of a social minority (LGBTQ, having a disability, racial minorities, etc.)
• Environmental – continual exposure to poverty, neglect, abuse, and violence

Yes, depression can come in different levels of severity. They can have different online depression treatment methods.

Mild depression

• People mild depression, or high-functioning depression, experience symptoms a few days a week. In some cases they return on and off for several years. The symptoms are bothersome, but they don’t get in the way of your daily life. It’s possible to go undiagnosed when you have mild depression because the symptoms mimic so many other illnesses.

Moderate depression

• For people with moderate depression, symptoms start to interfere with responsibilities at home, work, or in your social life. Medication and therapy are two common interventions. It’s important to speak to a psychiatrist or family doctor about which medication is best for you. Avoid self-medicating through the use of drugs or alcohol. Doing so could make you feel worse in the long run.

Severe or major depression

• When someone has severe depression, they’re unable to live a normal life because of their symptoms. All aspects of life are affected by the illness. People with severe depression are more likely to have thoughts about self-harm or suicide. If you or someone you know is feeling this way, it’s an emergency. Contact an emergency suicide phone line if you feel that anyone is in danger.

Before providing a depression diagnosis, the healthcare provider will want to perform a physical exam, as well as potentially schedule you for a complete blood count. This blood test will check to make sure your thyroid is functioning properly, and that your vitamin and hormone levels are normal. The healthcare provider will want you to meet with a psychotherapist, who can perform a psychological evaluation. They can also check your condition against the criteria for depression listed in the DSM-5, if necessary. This is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is published by the American Psychiatric Association.

Once the healthcare team is able to provide a clear depression diagnosis, they’ll be able to suggest depression treatments geared towards helping treat your specific needs. This includes any possible prescription depression medications you may need.

Regimens to treat depression can include psychotherapy, psychoeducation, and prescription depression medications. Treatment options can be used independent of each other or in combination.

If you have severe depression, the doctor may suggest a hospital stay, or for you to participate in an outpatient depression treatment program.

The most commonly suggested prescription depression medications include:

• Tricyclic antidepressants, e.g. Elavil
• Atypical antidepressants, e.g. bupropion (Wellbutrin)
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), e.g. escitalopram (Lexapro), citalopram (Celexa), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac),
• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), e.g. duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor)
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) e.g., phenelzine (Nardil)
  Other medications like trazorel (Trazodone), a serotonin modulator that enhances antidepressant effects

If you live in Canada, antidepressants are available from our doctors online. It may take some time for them to find the right combination of depression medications and dosages that will work best for you, and sometimes require switching antidepressants. Your doctor will also help monitor for signs that your antidepressants are too strong.

If you’ve begun to show signs of depression, you should talk to your healthcare provider. The healthcare provider will be able to do an assessment to see if your depression could be caused by an underlying physical condition. They’ll also be able to refer you to a psychotherapist that can help you work through the emotional strains that accompany depression.

They’ll also be able to offer any prescription depression medications, like antidepressants, that you may need to manage your symptoms.

If you believe a loved one could be showing signs of depression, but you don’t know what to do, talk to a healthcare provider. They can offer guidance on how you can get your loved one the help they need.

Yes. Chronic stressful life situations can increase the risk of developing depression if you aren’t coping with the stress well. You may frequently be in a bad mood, your productivity may decrease, your relationships may suffer, you may develop sleep problems, and you might even find it difficult to go about your normal daily routine.

Yes, fatigue, or always being tired, is a sign of depression, but your lack of energy could have many other causes. In depression, a lack of energy appears as a condition called anhedonia and is generally accompanied by a loss of interest in things you would normally enjoy, low mood and a lack of focus. Consulting with a mental health physician can help you understand the cause of your fatigue.