Seeing as this is the main forum where mental illness is discussed...

SparkySpitfire

What happens when you think you have one? One of my friends took the first step of going to her GP but then she was immediately referred to St. Pats.

I'm not as bad as her whatsoever, she has suffered through many traumas to get to the place she is at now.

But what I want to know is, what happens when you tell your GP your thoughts on the matter? Do they run tests? Do they immediately refer you? If you get referred so you have to go?

I'm kinda terrified of going to the GP about this but I've come to a point where I can't really put it off any longer and knowing what will happen might make me feel better about going.

WildRosie

Well, I can tell you my experience. I went to my GP and he treated me for depression for several months. I wasn't improving so he referred me to a psychiatrist in St Pats. Went to him for a few months, didn't really like him, got better on my own and got on with my life. Several years later the same thing happened again. Went back to my GP. He treated me for a couple of weeks and then referred me to St John of Gods as an inpatient. Got proper treatment and diagnosis which wasn't what I had been originally treated for. Been IP there two more times and now I'm doing great since I'm on the proper treatment.

I think your GP will treat you themselves unless you are very unwell and need specialist treatment or their treatment hasn't been successful. I think it also depends on whether you are a public or private patient. I've always gone private so can't comment on what the public system is like. Your GP can prescribe medication and refer you to counselling also. You can also self refer to a private counsellor. If you get referred, I can't see how you would have to go, it's your choice to accept help or not.

With regard the to tests, I think there's questionnaires that doctors use to screen for things. Like when you're admitted to IP they always do this test where they ask to count backwards from 100 taking away 7, who the Taoiseach is, what year it is etc. There's also mood and personality tests but my GP never did these, these were done in hospital along with physical health tests.

This is just my experience so it could be different for you. My GP is pretty dire when it comes to mental health and was quite happy to refer me on but yours will probably be better (wouldn't be hard). They'll probably ask you what you think would help rather than just dictating a course of treatment. Good luck

starviewadams

I was referred to my local HSE mental health clinic the second time I presented to my GP about feeling depressed.First time he told me to come back in two weeks and if I was still feeling bad we'd pursue things further.

He admitted he knew little about mental health and said he'd rather have me diagnosed by a psychiatrist.He was really elderly at that time and has since retired.

Went to the HSE clinic about a week later with my referral letter,was asked tonnes of questions by the consulatant psychiatrist and was prescribed anti-depressants and put on the waiting list to see the psychologist for CBT.

Pretty painless and efficient and a lot better then I was expecting things to be when I was deciding whether or not to bring up my mental health with my GP initially.

No point putting off seeing the GP about it,as things will only get worse and you'll build it up as a big thing in your mind which will make it even harder.

I put off seeing my GP for years about how I was feeling,and it was such a relief when I finally plucked up the courage to speak to him about it and access help.

Best of luck OP.

Well done for wanting to get it sorted, that's the first step. There is no need to be terrified as it is just a illness and with treatment things will improve.

The important thing is to talk, start with your GP and then maybe a family member, there's help there for you, try the Shine online site which has some good information.

Again go to your GP it's the first step to getting better and I promise you, you won't regret it, good luck, Gary.