Considering making an appointment

LegacyUser

Hi. I'll get straight to the point. I'm thinking of making an apponintment for the doctor this evening as i've been feeling sad and down in my self for just over a year now. I'm always snapping at people, i've lost all my confidence that i once had and i'm very insecure. I'm just not happy in myself. I'm not the person i used to be. I'm always in bad form now. I don't know if I'm depressed or not. I'm 19. For some reason though i feel like if i said this to the doctor he'll just be like, well i don't know, kind of just brush it off. maybe put it down to hormones or something.

Anyway some questions i wanted to ask was can the doctor put me on something for this, like some sort of medication or would he have to refer me to somewhere else for this?

and i know you fellow posters cant answer this, i'm kind of just thinking out loud here, but i just dont know if i even qualify for medication, you know? Like when i think of a ''depressed person'' i dont exactly think that's me.. but I know i'm just not happy. i'm wondeirng how bad do you have to be before you can be put on tablets or something. Like i really feel like i need something like that.. it's been going on for too long now. I was always a happy and bubbly person. I thought it was just a bad period i was going through when it started but i still feel the same.

Ok and the next question, if the doctor can prescribe the medication that i think i need, can i just say ''i want to go on some medication for this'' , or is it out of my hands and i just have to let him decide if i need it or not?

I hope i havent crossed the line with my questions. I understand this isnt a medical board! But i just need to know what my doctor can/can't do!

Thanks

BuffyBot

i just need to know what my doctor can/can't do!

That's why you need to see him, to be honest. There are any number of options open to your doctor, and he/she is the best person to advise you about them.

arbeitsscheuer

You can ask him to give you the contact details of a specialist, and you can then get an appointment with them... Now, it'll probably be a while before you're prescribed anything, but seriously, it's good to talk to someone who knows what the fcuk they're on about (unlike, with all due respect, a GP).

I'm seeing someone rite now, not on any medication (which used to be my solution to my depression, but it was always a short-term response, and I've realised that now).

If you really want a prescription, it is likely that the specialist will tell the GP that you need it, and if the GP's a good guy he'll give it to u. It's just a little complicated because most specialists (psychologists, therapists, counsellors) don't have the power to directly prescribe anything as they are not Drs. Psychiatrists can, but it's unlikely you'd be directly referred to one of them unless there is something seriously wrong with u.

LegacyUser

Thanks for the responses. About to go to the doc now, appointment made for half 5. Feel very nervous! SebtheBum, thanks for your comments! It has clarified somethings for me!

LegacyUser

Hi there. My advice is to see the doctor. I went through a period of manic depression and I found medication is ok but at the end of it you are either at the same place or worse. The only way I got out of it is by alot of self reflection and the knowledge that if there was anything I wanted to talk about at anytime, I could. That was my girlfriend at the time and I owe her alot. I could nearly say I owe her my life. But this is a time when you really need to find the source of or get as close to it as possible before it takes over. Talking it through is good, but the best thing is knowing you have a real friend there to listen is ten times better.

pyramuid man

Hi there. My advice is to see the doctor. I went through a period of manic depression and I found medication is ok but at the end of it you are either at the same place or worse. The only way I got out of it is by alot of self reflection and the knowledge that if there was anything I wanted to talk about at anytime, I could. That was my girlfriend at the time and I owe her alot. I could nearly say I owe her my life. But this is a time when you really need to find the source of or get as close to it as possible before it takes over. Talking it through is good, but the best thing is knowing you have a real friend there to listen is ten times better.

Esel

SebtheBum wrote:

..seriously, it's good to talk to someone who knows what the fcuk they're on about (unlike, with all due respect, a GP)..

Seriously, that is one bad generalisation. Maybe you had a bad experience with one or two GPs?

OP: Trust your GP. He/she will ask you a series of questions, which will help them make a diagnosis. If medication is warranted, it will be prescribed. Expect it to take a number of weeks (up to 8 weeks depending on how depressed you are). If you get a prescription, ask the pharmacist for further info on it. Read the Product Information Leaflet carefully. Google it to learn more.

jcoote

your gp is the only person u should go to as a counselling and mental diagnosis can be much more expensive than a visit to the doctor...he will recommend counselling or prescribe medication or offer advice whatever the case may be

LegacyUser

@OP

i feel the same as you and recently started seeing a doctor, who after a few weeks suggested medication for depression.

talk to your doctor.

LegacyUser

The way your feeling is really common, I went through the same thing, I was depressed for about 2 years before I decided to see a gp. Im going through a course of ad's, feeling better, getting on with life. Telling my parents was the hardest thing Ive ever had to do, It sounds stupid I know, It really did help to get it out, just to tell someone. I suspect allot of my friends knew and my parents recognised I was prone to bad moods ect. In the mean time Id recomend a new interest, like the gym, anything really, a break from the booze if you drink and try omega 3 oils, that can help to lift your mood. Hope that helps in some small way.

wheresthebeef

hi tweetypie,
seeing your GP was definitely the right idea. But don't get hung up on medication. Lots of times medication is not really required. Sometimes its best to speak to a Psychologist as well. Being on medication can often seem like a quick fix, but can have side effects, and you could become psychologically dependant on meds. A family member of mine spent 4 years trying to get off anti-depressants.
Depression, or mental illness is not always caused by a chemical imbalance or deficit that meds can replace. Sometimes talking, and being listened to can help you find the root of a problem. Psychiatrists have moved away from the purely medical model of mental illness, and moved to looking at mental illness from a more holistic approach taking into account a persons social, psychologyical, and physical wellbeing. So its not just all about hormones and chemicals in the brain.

I wish you the best of luck and hope you're feeling better soon,

David

LegacyUser

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate you giving me the advice and sharing your experiences.

Well I went yesterday evening, told my doctor everything and he prescribed fluoxetine for me. 20mg once a day for 6 months. Yep, I’ve googled it already and was reading up on it. Don't know why I was so anxious about going; my doctor was really good about it. Well I'll just have to see how it goes! I'm not expecting any miracles! Fingers crossed. I never knew that about the omega 3 oils...thanks and yeah i've been considering joining a gym or some sort of leisure centre..I love swimming and tennis so I should get out there and start doing some things I enjoy! Wouldn't do any harm anyway, my apatite has seemed to increase over the past couple of months! and I feel as though I’ve withdrawn myself from socializing and being with my friends and all that...so yeah I need to, well, get out a bit more really!! Yeah if this doesn’t work out for me I think the only other thing I can do is go see a psychologist.. hope it doesn't come to that but sure if it does, it does!

Thanks again.

Esel

Best of luck. Regular exercise will really help.

wheresthebeef

fluoxetine being Prozac for general informations sake

tabatha

it is suppsoe to be very good, i know someone on it and the said it has worked for them. good luck.

Esel

tweetypie wrote:

...Well I went yesterday evening, told my doctor everything and he prescribed fluoxetine for me. 20mg once a day for 6 months.... .

Just noticed this part of your post. Do you mean your doctor gave you a prescription for 6 months? I hope not. I would have thought that they would want to see you again much sooner than that, to see how you are doing.

LegacyUser

Yeah. He gave me a prescription for 6 months. He said as I was leaving to go back to him in a few weeks to let him know how I'm getting on. To be honest I was only going to go back to him if I felt the medication wasn't working. Like if everything was going well, I thought it would be strange to just go in and say ''yeah I'm getting on fine with the medication'' and well, more or less go again? Maybe I should though..

Victor

I think book an appointment in 2-4 weeks to run side-effects by him. Do not take new medication for six months and not get checked out. Even consider a second opinion. Try to keep a diary of how you a feeling.

Also make sure you read the leaflet for side-effects and make certain that you aren't compromised by them.

dbnavan

It concerns me that a doctor would perscibe prozac after 1 visit about depression, shouldnt he have refered you to to a psychiatrist first?

arbeitsscheuer

dbnavan wrote:

It concerns me that a doctor would perscibe prozac after 1 visit about depression, shouldnt he have refered you to to a psychiatrist first?

Spot on, and a 6 month prescription is way, way over the top. Doesn't make any sense to me...

Esel

SebtheBum wrote:

Spot on, and a 6 month prescription is way, way over the top. Doesn't make any sense to me...

The doctor did ask the OP to return in 2-4 weeks.

@dbnavan: Doctors deal with patients with depression every day.

tweetypie: Remember it may take longer than 4 weeks for the medication to take effect. Be sure to go back to the doctor even if you are feeling better.

dbnavan

esel wrote:

@dbnavan: Doctors deal with patients with depression every day.
.

Doesnt make everything they say right. I have first hand expeirence with loved ones, which i dont feel the need to go into. But i amnt making an uniformed statement.

http://www.lupusvic.org.au/prozac.htm

When should a doctor prescribe Prozac?

It should be prescribed when there are indications that one is significantly depressed

you telling me you can tell someone is significantly depressed after 1 visit, that probably lasted 10 minutes knowing most doctors, could be hormones, could be time of month, could be having a bad day, hell anyone could get it in that case

Esel

dbnavan wrote:

...you telling me you can tell someone is significantly depressed after 1 visit, that probably lasted 10 minutes knowing most doctors, could be hormones, could be time of month, could be having a bad day, hell anyone could get it in that case

Doctors are medical professionals. They are trained to diagnose. I am sure the vast majority of doctors do not diagnose depression lightly.

dbnavan

esel wrote:

Doctors are medical professionals. They are trained to diagnose. I am sure the vast majority of doctors do not diagnose depression lightly.

So you never heard of a wrong diagnoses, I personally could write a book on stories on misdiagnosed cases that I have heard of, I am not a doctor nor have I medical experience, and usually I do listen to a doctor but just by having general knowledge, more personal expeirence of depression then most, and being well read I can tell you most doctors would not diagnose prozac after 1 GP visit.

I am not saying dont take it, I am not saying you dont need it, I am saying you cannot significantly diagnose depression to the point of perscribing prozac after 1 diagnoses. For a start there are plenty of lower risk "pick me up" drugs available on prescription before trying prozac which is one of the hardcore depression drugs.

Mezcita

dbnavan wrote:

So you never heard of a wrong diagnoses, I personally could write a book on stories on misdiagnosed cases that I have heard of, I am not a doctor nor have I medical experience, and usually I do listen to a doctor but just by having general knowledge, more personal expeirence of depression then most, and being well read I can tell you most doctors would not diagnose prozac after 1 GP visit.

I am not saying dont take it, I am not saying you dont need it, I am saying you cannot significantly diagnose depression to the point of perscribing prozac after 1 diagnoses. For a start there are plenty of lower risk "pick me up" drugs available on prescription before trying prozac which is one of the hardcore depression drugs.

I disagree. As it has already being pointed out Doctors are trained professionals and see young people with these type of symptoms on a regular basis. I would presume that having discussed the OP's state of mind he prescribed the drug to treat the specific symptoms which the OP has been experiencing.

chuci

having a medical background and first hand exp of depression i feel that if the op hadnt needed prozac then she wouldnt have been prescribed it. though also i think that a 6 month prescription was a bit much perhaps a three month one would have been a better idea. but on the other hand the doc did ask the op to make an appoinment in bout 3-4 weeks to see how she was getting on which is pretty standard. the idea of a reflective journal was a really good idea. there is another angle to look at this with all due respect to the op perhaps we didnt get the full story as she didnt feel the need to go into detail just a gen overview of how she was feeling. doc's are trained professionals at the end of the day and do make informed descions on what to prescribe their patients.sorry for going off the point.

to the op personally i think you made a good choice to go see your doc and are looking after yourself. if you feel that counselling is necessary then discucc it with your doc i know its a daunting exp. if your worried about the cost he doc can make you and appointment or give you contact details of a public couseeling service but there may be a waiting list for this. i wish you the best of luck and hope that you will be back to yourself soon. feeel free to pm me if you want to chat or ask about meds of anything.

LundiMardi

dbnavan wrote:

It concerns me that a doctor would perscibe prozac after 1 visit about depression, shouldnt he have refered you to to a psychiatrist first?

I agree, regardless that the guy is a doctor, he fixes bones not minds (yes they aren't limited to bones i know:rolleyes:).

But seriously, prescribing prozac after one visit strikes me as very strange and stupid. Fair enough i'm no doctor but to be honest you don't have to be to think this is more than slightly worrying. Using the excuse ''but they're a doctor they see this kind of thing everyday'' is bordering on idiotic.

OP - I would highly recommend getting a second opinion, meds should be only used in the worst case scenario imo. You don't come across as suicidal from your post etc.

No offence either, but everyone gets depressed, based on your first post you're not exactly in need of ''special treatment''(sorry for my choice of words). I go through bouts of severe depression, going on medication would be the last thing i would want. It won't make it go away, it'll just cover it up, you need to find out why you're depressed and confront it head on.

My 2c

arbeitsscheuer

Having spoken to a psychiatrist about this case I can safely say that
a) 1, repeat 1 visit to a GP in no way represents enough time to diagnose a psychological illness to the point of prescribing a drug as strong as fluoxetine for no less than 6, repeat 6 months.
b) Even if it were possible that the OP told the GP something which we are unaware of which would account for the immediacy and length of the prescription, it would represent a severity of depression which would neccessitate a referral to a psychological specialist.

Yes, GP's are trained medical professionals.
No, they are not drug dispensers.

There is something seriously wrong with this GP, and I do not say that lightly.

dbnavan

At this point I think we should stop the the doc was wrong sentiment to the thread as it has been rightly pointed out we are not doctors, we do not know the full extent of the case, and it against boards regulations to hand out medical advice. However that said I personally would suggest the OP get a second opinion.

Possibly a thread discussing some doctors ease of putting pen to paper would be suitable, harmless good discussion, however when specifics ie this thread, come in to play we could be biting off more then we can chew......jesus am I sounding like a mod?

LegacyUser

Wow.. I wasn't expecting any of that! ...well I've started taking them now so I'll continue with them for now anyway. A second opinion would have to go on hold for the time being as I'm a student and can't afford it at this moment in time. I suppose when I have sufficient funds, I'll just have to go then. I'm confused now to be honest. He's been my GP since I was a baby, I was always happy with any of his diagnosis's in the past. Oh well, I'll take on board the advice anyway and go to another doctor.

Esel

Tweety,

Don't bother with the advice to go to another doctor. Trust your own. Lots of scaremongering going on here. Just keep touching base with your own doctor. You can do that by phone at no cost.