Visiting GP about depression, etc.

I've been meaning to make a thread about this for a little while now. Curiousity, more than anything else. I've often went to the GP with any and all physical pains i'd be having. Its usually the same general routine;

Me: Hey
Dr.: Whats wrong
Me: Hurt my leg.
Dr.: *examines and questions me* it's probably a ____
Me: That's grand, cheers. i'll look into it.
Dr.: No worries, you might wana try these *prescribes something*
Me: Thanks man
Dr: No worries.

and so forth.

But i can't seem to work out in my head just how the appointment will go if you go in about something like depression. Can anyone who has went to a GP about suffering from depression or another mental issue, please tell me how everything went down? what was said, the reaction of the GP, etc. etc.


I know this isn't a personal issue as such (although it has stopped me from ever visiting a GP about any thing non-physical) but I'm very curious.

Victor

Perhaps write a list?

a. My ear hurts.
b. Is my arm meant to do that?
c. By the way, sometimes I feel really down and I think I might have depression.

Monkey61

Approaching the GP about mental health issues is the most terrifying thing in the world because generally you are either embarrassed or worried that you're going to get overly upset.

If it helps you, you could write down exactly how your are feeling on a piece of paper and just say that you'd like them to read it. It can also help because I find that once you have got over the hurdle of saying it out loud there is of course going to be loads of follow up questions, so if you already have covered them in your letter, then there will be less hard work for you to do at the time.

Basically write down exactly how it feels, when you feel like this, how long it has been going on for, how it is affecting your day to day life and such. Don't forget, as my GP pointed out to me last week, you aren't the first person that feels like this and you won't be the last. Yes it can be terribly isolating, but the GP has heard it all before and is there to help you.

LegacyUser

Doctor: what can I do for you today?

me: i've been feeling really depressed for * years and i can't cope anymore....*sob*

Doctor: *concerned voice* how did all this start?

rest passed in a bit of a blur, once you get that first sentence out it's grand. I left feeling like I could breathe again for the first time in years, I'd been referred to a psychiatrist and psychologist, the doctor gave me a prescription for a tiny dose of an anti-depressant (was later quadrupled by the psychiatrist). I spent a year in counselling and CBT and about 18 months on anti-depressants (the dose was reduced over time). that was 6 years ago and I've never looked back.

andrewh5

Monkey61 wrote: »

Approaching the GP about mental health issues is the most terrifying thing in the world because generally you are either embarrassed or worried that you're going to get overly upset.

If it helps you, you could write down exactly how your are feeling on a piece of paper and just say that you'd like them to read it. It can also help because I find that once you have got over the hurdle of saying it out loud there is of course going to be loads of follow up questions, so if you already have covered them in your letter, then there will be less hard work for you to do at the time.

Basically write down exactly how it feels, when you feel like this, how long it has been going on for, how it is affecting your day to day life and such. Don't forget, as my GP pointed out to me last week, you aren't the first person that feels like this and you won't be the last. Yes it can be terribly isolating, but the GP has heard it all before and is there to help you.

+1. They should have a check list of the 12 most likely symptoms of depression that they will work through. If you have had 4 or more for 2 weeks or more they will diagnose depression and act accordingly. Lots of people feel low from time to time. That does not mean they have depression in the medical sense.

As I have said on a similar thread, sadly my experience has shown that many GPs in Ireland are very ignorant in regards to depression. Be prepared to seek out a GP who is experienced in dealing with people who have depression. When you find one, hang onto him/her like grim death as they tend to be like rocking horse droppings here.

LegacyUser

What words would work for you, low mood, feeling down/blue? You could point out the areas of your life that you feel it's affecting. Your sleep, energy levels, thought patterns, appetite etc.

http://www.aware.ie/

LegacyUser

Ive queried depression with a few GPs over the last few years. I tend to have about 4 or 5 really low periods throughout the year, more than i think is normal. The first GP i went to i was so nervous and no joke she took one look at me said i was overweight (i was about 1stone and half over) and get some exercise. I was mortfied. A few years later i went to another GP as i was feeling so crap. Now, by this stage i was well used to putting on the act going to work and trying to pretend i was ok. This GPs reaction..."well you dont look depressed" WTF???!!! Just because i was dressed nicely and had makeup on to go to work. The very last time, i went with a friend as she didnt believe what the GPs were saying. The last one (this is 3 in about 10 years) said "well im not putting you on medication, i suggest CBT, come back when you've 6 sessions done". I told her i couldnt afford it (€70/session) so she said she'd look into help towards it and she'd be in touch. Havent heard from her since.

Now, although i havent been diagnosed with depression,the really low moods i experience are horrendous but i know they pass in a few weeks. But, i still dont think its a normal thing to have. But, after unsuccessfully trying over a period of 10 years (all through my 20s) to get some help i began to believe i was turning into a hypochondriac with the way the GPs reacted. We've one of the highest suicide rates in europe, they would want to wake up to reality and treat this illness with a bit more sensitivity and seriousness.

InReality

Have you tried CBT or counselling ?

missmatty

I can agree with the above comments re GPs and depression. I brought it up once with mine and he told me to go home that I had PMT and to take Ibuprofen, like wtf?
I'm a scientist and I've never heard anything before that or since about ibuprofen being any good for depression! Luckily I came through it. I would say to try and get someone to recommend a kind listening doctor because they are out there, somewhere

RossFixxxed

There are some very unprofessional examples in there. But I've found most doctors take this serious, they have to see do you have depression they can't just assume you do so they will ask questions. Just answer honestly, but they will act accordingly. The questinos aren't madly invasive or anything they're common sense.

Just go and see. If you're dublin area I can recommend some very good doctors that I've found a huge help. They'll tell you you're being silly if you are and treat you very seriously if you aren't!

good luck OP just do it!
R

glezo

Deleted User wrote: »

I've been meaning to make a thread about this for a little while now. Curiousity, more than anything else. I've often went to the GP with any and all physical pains i'd be having. Its usually the same general routine;

Me: Hey
Dr.: Whats wrong
Me: Hurt my leg.
Dr.: *examines and questions me* it's probably a ____
Me: That's grand, cheers. i'll look into it.
Dr.: No worries, you might wana try these *prescribes something*
Me: Thanks man
Dr: No worries.

and so forth.

But i can't seem to work out in my head just how the appointment will go if you go in about something like depression. Can anyone who has went to a GP about suffering from depression or another mental issue, please tell me how everything went down? what was said, the reaction of the GP, etc. etc.


I know this isn't a personal issue as such (although it has stopped me from ever visiting a GP about any thing non-physical) but I'm very curious.

just wondering do you want to explain yourself to the doc that your suffering from depressing or is it just a ramdom question you want answered

LegacyUser

Actually i just went to doc yest for depression.

I had been meaning to go for a while but felt embarrassed and that i was a bit weird that i was suffering depression. He put my mind completly at ease tho n i walked away with prescription for antidepressants and sleeping tablets.. but this is how it went.

Me: Hi doc
Dr.: Hi ...... What can i do for ya
Me: Balled my eyes out here
Dr.: Gives me a tissue
Me: I am so down lately, dont know whats going on.
Dr.: Are u having probs at home, work, men etc
Me: Ya work, explained myself then and had calmed down at that stage
Dr: No worries Take one of these when u feel you need it and come see me again....

ebmma

Funnily enough, I have never said "I might be depressed what do I do now?"

It was more like "I can't concentrate, feel tired all the time, my hair is falling out etc"

a few conversations and blood tests later I was sent to a counsellor.

Is there any physical signs of your depression? Would you be more comfortable bringing them up first?

RubyXI

Unregistered wrote: »

Actually i just went to doc yest for depression.

I had been meaning to go for a while but felt embarrassed and that i was a bit weird that i was suffering depression. He put my mind completly at ease tho n i walked away with prescription for antidepressants and sleeping tablets.. but this is how it went.

Me: Hi doc
Dr.: Hi ...... What can i do for ya
Me: Balled my eyes out here
Dr.: Gives me a tissue
Me: I am so down lately, dont know whats going on.
Dr.: Are u having probs at home, work, men etc
Me: Ya work, explained myself then and had calmed down at that stage
Dr: No worries Take one of these when u feel you need it and come see me again....

Really? they handed over drugs that easily?

LegacyUser

Hi should go a little like this (In the Brackets)....

Me: Hey (Hi)
Dr.: Whats wrong (What can I do for you today...)
Me: Hurt my leg. (I'm feeling down, can't concentrate, no energy etc.......)
Dr.: *examines and questions me* it's probably a ____ (A proper assessment should be that they will verbally examine you, looking at your mental state, risk assessment, administer brief assessment scales, form a biological, psychological and social picture, and they should even do some blood tests and a physical. They should also give advice on supports ie. personal resources, supports, family, friends, self help books, support groups, exercise, talking therapies etc... )
Me: That's grand, cheers. i'll look into it. (Ill see if I can link in with some of the suggestions to see if that would work)
Dr.: No worries, you might wana try these *prescribes something* (That would be brilliant if you could try, *They should say that [depending on the presentation but for majority of mild - moderate depressive symptoms] you should call back in a few days/week/or if needed and review you then with a plan to maybe start some pharmacological intervention)
Me: Thanks man (Ok)
Dr: No worries (Please try and link in with some of your supports, also look at your strengths, abilities and resources, but i will be here if you are not managing or if its still not working)

Second or third or fourth appointment with minimal to no improvement should see some pharmacological intervention and then a referral to the adult mental health service if it is not resolving or improving.

Thats an *ideal medical intervention, there is of course numerous 'talking' interventions!! and VAST amounts of approaches.

Remeber your not the first person that day to present with this problem, GP's handle a VAST amount of mild to moderate (and even severe) 'psychiatric' problems!

They have heard it all before...........

LegacyUser

My doc was lovely, sympathetic and asked lots of questions and honestly it was a relief to talk to someone other than my long suffering boyfriend who tried but couldn't understand.

She gave me 10 mlg anti depressanta and I'm so glad. I needed them.

I just said "I'm not coping I don't know what to do" and we we continued from there.

glezo

glezo wrote: »

just wondering do you want to explain yourself to the doc that your suffering from depressing or is it just a ramdom question you want answered

I'd say i have more than my fair share of depression/social anxiety issues alright, but the only times i've ever been to a doctor, it's always been a physical problem (ie; something you can actually see/feel is hurt). In saying that, I rarely ever go to the doctor. I think the last time would have been about a year and a half ago, and god only knows when before that.

I've considered going many times, but kinda feel like it's not really a GP i should be going to, and at that, even now that i know its a GP i should visit, i don't really have the balls to book an appointment with him anyway (and if i did, I'd probably backtrack when i met him, and give him some made up injury). I just never associated GPs with this kinda thing.

They aren't allowed to talk to your family/friends/etc. about anything you visit them about, are they? It's all confidential, right?

Zaph

Deleted User wrote: »

I'd say i have more than my fair share of depression/social anxiety issues alright, but the only times i've ever been to a doctor, it's always been a physical problem (ie; something you can actually see/feel is hurt). In saying that, I rarely ever go to the doctor. I think the last time would have been about a year and a half ago, and god only knows when before that.

I've considered going many times, but kinda feel like it's not really a GP i should be going to, and at that, even now that i know its a GP i should visit, i don't really have the balls to book an appointment with him anyway (and if i did, I'd probably backtrack when i met him, and give him some made up injury). I just never associated GPs with this kinda thing.

They aren't allowed to talk to your family/friends/etc. about anything you visit them about, are they? It's all confidential, right?

Doctor/patient confidentiality rules mean that your doctor is not at liberty to discuss any medical condition of your's with a non-medical professional without your consent, so you've nothing to worry about there.

As regards not associating your GP with a non-physical condition, you won't be the first to visit him with a problem like this, and certainly not the last. However, just about everything requires a referral letter from a GP in the first instance, so you're better off seeing your GP before you do anything else as it'll make it easier to get appropriate treatment after seeing him.

t-ha

Patient: Hi, sometimes I don't feel super.

Doc: Here's a script for Lexapro

Patient: ...eh, ok. Bye so.


- although that's a student health centre so maybe it's not representative.

Sammag

Monkey61 wrote: »

Approaching the GP about mental health issues is the most terrifying thing in the world because generally you are either embarrassed or worried that you're going to get overly upset.

If it helps you, you could write down exactly how your are feeling on a piece of paper and just say that you'd like them to read it. It can also help because I find that once you have got over the hurdle of saying it out loud there is of course going to be loads of follow up questions, so if you already have covered them in your letter, then there will be less hard work for you to do at the time.

Basically write down exactly how it feels, when you feel like this, how long it has been going on for, how it is affecting your day to day life and such. Don't forget, as my GP pointed out to me last week, you aren't the first person that feels like this and you won't be the last. Yes it can be terribly isolating, but the GP has heard it all before and is there to help you.

Great advice. *thumbs up*

I went to my docs about a year ago as I was feeling very messed up in my head due to various issues I was dealing with.
I really thought to be honest I was suffering a nervous breakdown. I was in a terrible place and it all came to a head when, for 3 weeks, I seemed to sink into a terribly sad and lonely place.
I often googled 'depression' etc. I related strongly to a lot of what I read.

I called my doc in a moment of being in a real downer one day and chatted with her, blurting out "I just feel it's time I speak with someone",
basically I was giving her a heads up on what i was going to visit her about but disguising it in the form of "do you think I should come and see you?"
so she was prepared when I walked into her surgery and she pretty much lead the way for me to spill out what I was feeling.

Via asking various questions, which she filled in on a 'report' she came to the conclusion I was suffering mild to mid depression.
We chatted about steps going forward, I clearly told her I didn't want to go down the anti-depressant/tablet route but would rather speak with someone professional.
We discussed what sort of person I would like to chat with and I told her. I said I'd prefer a bloke, mid age and someone who would be pro-active in telling me how to change/help me actively to help myself etc.
This was something I'd told myself I would do for years, but I always put it off.

It was like all of a sudden someone had removed the 20 or so concrete blocks I had been carrying around on my shoulders for the previous few years.
I walked out of her surgery with a different mind set, full of optimism that I had taken the first step and I gave myself a massive mental 'pat on the back'.
It's baby steps and when you take that first one, you feel fantastic.

I started seeing a clinical psychologist straight away, a fabulous bloke and he's made such a difference in my life.
To be honest I think I was just in a terrible place for a while but I do still have issues I want to sort. These go back to my teenage years.
I want to ensure if I have kids I don't pass on negativity I still may have in relation to various aspects of my life.

I see him now once a month and really look forward to our chat. He's really just someone who helps give me clarity on a lot of day-to-day issues we all have to face.
It's incredibly cathartic to feel comfortable around someone neutral who you can spill out your thoughts and fears and get a balanced, professional view in return.
I think now, whilst I don't feel depressed anymore, I feel at an added advantage to others in that I have a 'neutral' person in my life to help show me the way through various ups and downs.
Not that it needed healing but by chance, it's also made my personal life much better, its helped me to understand my husband much better.
I don't give a sh*t if people think "OOh she sees a shrink *snigger*" - fu*k them - I'm a heck of a lot more balanced now than any of those twats.
People have a stupid hang up about mental health and take it for granted too much, when, if not respected can really mess up one's life.

Don't feel worried about 'what to say' - your doc will take the lead on it for you. They're trained to notice even tiny things you will say, what they mean in a bigger picture and are there to help.

Best of luck

glezo

Deleted User wrote: »

I'd say i have more than my fair share of depression/social anxiety issues alright, but the only times i've ever been to a doctor, it's always been a physical problem (ie; something you can actually see/feel is hurt). In saying that, I rarely ever go to the doctor. I think the last time would have been about a year and a half ago, and god only knows when before that.

I've considered going many times, but kinda feel like it's not really a GP i should be going to, and at that, even now that i know its a GP i should visit, i don't really have the balls to book an appointment with him anyway (and if i did, I'd probably backtrack when i met him, and give him some made up injury). I just never associated GPs with this kinda thing.

They aren't allowed to talk to your family/friends/etc. about anything you visit them about, are they? It's all confidential, right?

for starters no they cant speak to any of your family so for starters dont let that hold you back..

i was feeling very low after spiltting from husband, ( not for the reason of been upset cause i want i was delighted but for the fact of having to rare 2 young kids and that got me down not in a bad way but to the fact that it was hard work on own)

i went to doc who was great never judged me wat so ever, put me on prozac tablets once a day and within 2 weeks i was able for anything, getting up in the morning was something i enjoyed and still do as im still on them

research this tablet (prozac) if you need to but i highly recommened it

gud luck and dont let been weary of doc and not been able to tell them wats up stop you getting help

RossFixxxed

t-ha wrote: »

Patient: Hi, sometimes I don't feel super.

Doc: Here's a script for Lexapro

Patient: ...eh, ok. Bye so.


- although that's a student health centre so maybe it's not representative.

This does happen a LOT in some student centres, I saw it many times and it's a terrible way to do things. I guess they're just covering their ass and get a lot of whingey students in there (and they do). I think anti Ds are a great thing if used correctly but are not always a first line treatment. There is something to be said (in cases where appropriate) in making changes to your life and then using the pills if necessary to reenforce changes. Throwing them at people like smarties is not great, and I have to say they didn't agree with me over time. I'm off them now and made a lot of changes, with some help from them for the initial few months, but the biggest thing for me was taking action to rememdy the sitiation. Going to a good GP is a great step and really helped me realise that I can take control of things and sort this.

Good luck OP
R

homerun_homer

I went to my GP about 1/2 a year ago. I was sorta pushed to do it by members of my family so I thought I’d better do it, if anything to make them feel more at ease. When the doc asked what was my issue it was tough trying to spit it out, saying I was depressed and can’t get through whatever issues I was going through. What he asked was if it was something I can work through. The answer was simply no. I had tried for a good few months and nothing was working.
He prescribed me a month’s supply of xanax and sleeping pills. I didn’t notice any change, especially with the sleeping pills, they had no effect whatsoever. The xanax might have seeped in and helped me a little as by the time I was done with them I started to feel worse again.
The doc told me to return if I needed to when I was finished the prescription and we’d see where we’d go from there. I chose not to even though I still felt horrible.

ebmma

Wow, a lot of sh!t GPs out there:mad:

UCD health centre was very good.
I was suggested to do some counselling and a couple of life style changes plus a book about depression to read.

I was told to come back in 2-3 weeks for another chat and if all of the above fails to make me feel better we will talk about CONSIDERING antidepressants.

It is awful how some GPs just give them away like candy.

I think anyone would be actually better of going straight to counsellor skipping GP all together.

This way if it turns out after some therapy that you actually NEED antidepressant you'll get referred too a doctor for them anyway. Or maybe psychiatrist if it's real bad.

Red Sleeping Beauty

Zaph wrote: »

Doctor/patient confidentiality rules mean that your doctor is not at liberty to discuss any medical condition of your's with a non-medical professional without your consent, so you've nothing to worry about there.

.

There's nothing set in stone about your doctor not discussing your medical condition with say , a relative (perhaps if the doctor believes it is in the patient's best interest to do so). If KKV's doctor feels it appropriate (and if the doctor knows or is in contact with his family) then the doctor may discuss the condition with KKV's immediate family. Like either parent perhaps.

In fact, KKV may be asked to attend a psychiatrist's meeting with perhaps someone KKV lives with such as a parent or wife/husband.

Treatment of depression in Ireland is very much based on medication with pills.

http://www.imhc.ie/publicInformation/publicInfoItem.php?id=25

deadhead13

I would recommend going to a library or a bookstore and reading up on depression. It will give a better understanding of what is happening to you and will make it easier for you to explain how you are feeling to the doctor.

Victor

deadhead13 wrote: »

I would recommend going to a library or a bookstore and reading up on depression. It will give a better understanding of what is happening to you and will make it easier for you to explain how you are feeling to the doctor.

Just for clarity, only do this when you have been diagnosed. There is no use in getting yourself worried or spending money on books until then.

The Sweeper

alan dunne 27 wrote: »

There's nothing set in stone about your doctor not discussing your medical condition with say , a relative (perhaps if the doctor believes it is in the patient's best interest to do so). If KKV's doctor feels it appropriate (and if the doctor knows or is in contact with his family) then the doctor may discuss the condition with KKV's immediate family. Like either parent perhaps.

I think they need your consent first, but if you are severely depressed, they may be able to make a decision to speak to your family without your consent on the basis that you're not of sound mind.

I conducted an intervention around a year ago on someone in my immediate network here - made a GP appointment, asked to speak to the GP first, told the GP who I was sending to them and why I was sending them, shipped the person off to the GP. That person arrived at the GP in such a mess they could barely manage a sentence.

The GP not only prescribed medication and conducted a half hour closed appointment where the patient could talk about what was going on, she also referred them to a counsellor and onward to a psychiatrist. The appointment was on a Friday, the GP made another appointment for the Monday to see how the person in question had coped over the weekend.

The person arrived back and told me the GP wanted to speak to me. I rang her, and while we didn't discuss any details, nothing like "patient is depressed because of what happened last week at your friend Bob's house", we did discuss current condition. The GP basically told me the patient was severely depressed, potentially suicidal, I let her know I had removed all bulk medications from the patient's access and agreed to watch the patient like a hawk for the weekend, the GP also told me if the patient had another episode like the one that prompted the intervention, I should bring the patient to a hospital A&E department.

What good would that do? Well, if the patient was considered to be of harm to themselves, the hospital would section the patient.

That was a very severe example, but I'm not sure just how much permission the GP had actively sought, and just how much of her communication with me was calculated based on a judgement call that the patient was suicidal and not of sound mind.

LegacyUser

Unregistered wrote: »

...We've one of the highest suicide rates in europe, they would want to wake up to reality and treat this illness with a bit more sensitivity and seriousness.

++1

I can very much relate to that. I too have ups and downs and when the b'stard doc charged me €50 for the 5 minute referral visit took me a few weeks to recover...mentally

LegacyUser

I went to my GP nine months ago as I lost a lot of people close to me in the year before that and one of my best friends had just passed away from cancer so I couldn't cope anymore.

When I went to my GP I just explained that I was under a lot of stress, I wasn't sleeping and I found myself getting upset very regularly. He just asked me why I was getting upset and I explained my situation and he was great about it. He presecribed me anti-depressants which I am still taking and referred me to a counsellor which I am also still going to.

GP's will refer you to someone who can help; that's their job, so don't worry that they may not be the best person to go to. Also, they are not at liberty to disclose any of the information discussed unless they feel that you are in danger of harming yourself so don't worry about that either.

I would definitely advise you to get help as I have bottled everything up for years and now it's not just grief that I am coping with. I find it really helps as I can't talk about anything to anyone else as I'm not that type of person....but with my counsellor I can be completey honest about everything and she doesn't know me or my family so it works well.

If you've any questions about anything to do with this I'd be happy to help as much as I can.