A good GP for mental health?

ForeverUnknown · 07-09-2020 11:02pm #1

Hiya,
I just moved into Galway and plan to be here for about 5 years. I suffer from serious mental health issues and was told to choose a GP. I was wondering if there are any known to be good for these issues. I am looking for someone understanding and actually caring ( I know its rare in Ireland lol) please let me know as I need to choose ASAP.

antix80 · 07-09-2020 11:12pm

I'll let you in on a secret op, gp's hate nothing more than weepy patients who turn a 10 min consultation into a makeshift counselling session.

You're probably better off using your gp for referrals and prescriptions and pay for therapy instead.

inisboffin · 08-09-2020 1:33am

antix80 wrote: »

I'll let you in on a secret op, gp's hate nothing more than weepy patients who turn a 10 min consultation into a makeshift counselling session.

You're probably better off using your gp for referrals and prescriptions and pay for therapy instead.

If someone needs a good doctor it should be for everything. <By PM please> are great OP.

bobbyy gee · 08-09-2020 1:41am

You need a
Therapist not a doctor
A supervisor has more years in

https://iacp.ie/

inisboffin · 08-09-2020 3:34am

A doctor can also make a referral, and mental health issues can have can have many causes.

flazio · 08-09-2020 5:53am

antix80 wrote: »

I'll let you in on a secret op, gp's hate nothing more than weepy patients who turn a 10 min consultation into a makeshift counselling session.

You're probably better off using your gp for referrals and prescriptions and pay for therapy instead.

I'll let YOU in on another secret. No two GPs are the same.
OP have a look at yourmentalhealth.ie for resources available.

Dempo1 · 08-09-2020 6:14am

Assuming anyone who has mental health issues is now automatically referred, has the OP not been reffered? It won't actually make much of a difference what GP you choose as such, refferal will be dealt with on an ongoing basis albeit by a team in new location. Getting accepted by a new GP is in fact the hard part, very few GP's taking new patients and this before the pandemic. I presume the OP has informed their existing mental health team of their move, it may be them that will advise on a local GP who may only end up being used for prescriptions etc. I wish the OP well but this is not quite as straight forward of joining a new gym.

Ave Sodalis · 08-09-2020 6:46am

antix80 wrote:

I'll let you in on a secret op, gp's hate nothing more than weepy patients who turn a 10 min consultation into a makeshift counselling session.

I'm not from Galway so unfortunately cannot help with your question OP, but I have to say that this is absolute codswallop. Whilst GPs are short on time, they will listen to a patient in distress. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

Getting a good GP is also important. Any GP can refer you on, but a good GP will know who to refer you to, and provide a decent backup system. A GP well versed in mental health can account for, or disregard your mental health when providing care in other aspects of your health.

Not for mental health, but I went through so many GPs and locums with some physical health conditions and it tooks years before I got a GP that would do anything about it.

ForeverUnknown · 08-09-2020 7:30am

Dempo1 wrote: »

Assuming anyone who has mental health issues is now automatically referred, has the OP not been reffered? It won't actually make much of a difference what GP you choose as such, refferal will be dealt with on an ongoing basis albeit by a team in new location. Getting accepted by a new GP is in fact the hard part, very few GP's taking new patients and this before the pandemic. I presume the OP has informed their existing mental health team of their move, it may be them that will advise on a local GP who may only end up being used for prescriptions etc. I wish the OP well but this is not quite as straight forward of joining a new gym.

I have been reffered to the mental health team here, but Ive been let down by teams for so long I thought maybe if I got a good doctor it would help

ForeverUnknown · 08-09-2020 7:32am

antix80 wrote: »

I'll let you in on a secret op, gp's hate nothing more than weepy patients who turn a 10 min consultation into a makeshift counselling session.

You're probably better off using your gp for referrals and prescriptions and pay for therapy instead.

I wanted a good GP who understand and is caring. I know they are not a therapist.

ForeverUnknown · 08-09-2020 7:33am

inisboffin wrote: »

If someone needs a good doctor it should be for everything. <By PM please> are great OP.

would you say they are better than the <snip>? Because if you say the <snip> is great I might call them today.

Wanderer78 · 08-09-2020 7:34am

antix80 wrote:

I'll let you in on a secret op, gp's hate nothing more than weepy patients who turn a 10 min consultation into a makeshift counselling session.

Holy fcuk! Hopefully you or a close loved one doesn't develop mental health issues, as it looks like you're in for a shock! What an astonishing ignorant and invalidating response!

GooglePlus · 08-09-2020 7:35am

ForeverUnknown wrote: »

I wanted a good GP who understand and is caring. I know they are not a therapist.

I spoke with my GP about issues and he was very understanding but wasn't his field so he rightfully referred me to a psychologist for assessment. I've an hour exam with them at the end of the month and they'll get me seeing the right people. This will all be through the public system.

Definitely worth speaking with any GP and asking for the help. Even if you're feeling mildly down, it's good to speak with professionals and address issues before taking the anti depressant route.

A lot of GPs will throw Anti D's out but this isn't the way to go for me anyway.

ForeverUnknown · 08-09-2020 7:38am

GooglePlus wrote: »

I spoke with my GP about issues and he was very understanding but wasn't his field so he rightfully referred me to a psychologist for assessment. I've an hour exam with them at the end of the month and they'll get me seeing the right people. This will all be through the public system.

I have been through a mental health team before . Ive had 2 different therapists lol. Im just looking for a decent place in Galway so that if I ever felt my worse I would feel like they cared. because my old GP seemed like he didnt really give 2 ****s and never really did anything.

ForeverUnknown · 08-09-2020 7:39am

GooglePlus wrote: »

I spoke with my GP about issues and he was very understanding but wasn't his field so he rightfully referred me to a psychologist for assessment. I've an hour exam with them at the end of the month and they'll get me seeing the right people. This will all be through the public system.

Definitely worth speaking with any GP and asking for the help. Even if you're feeling mildly down, it's good to speak with professionals and address issues before taking the anti depressant route.

A lot of GPs will throw Anti D's out but this isn't the way to go for me anyway.

Ive had enought Anti Ds for all of galway. I cant take them as I have serious highs and lows, so they just try to feed me anti-psychotics :L

connemara man · 08-09-2020 7:41am

any recommendations via PM please

Mental health issues are personal to each individual and need to be treated as such. So the OPs needs aren't up for discussion

GooglePlus · 08-09-2020 7:43am

ForeverUnknown wrote: »

I have been through a mental health team before . Ive had 2 different therapists lol. Im just looking for a decent place in Galway so that if I ever felt my worse I would feel like they cared. because my old GP seemed like he didnt really give 2 ****s and never really did anything.

Edit as per mod

Wesser · 08-09-2020 7:44am

Dempo1 wrote: »

Assuming anyone who has mental health issues is now automatically referred, has the OP not been reffered? It won't actually make much of a difference what GP you choose as such, refferal will be dealt with on an ongoing basis albeit by a team in new location. Getting accepted by a new GP is in fact the hard part, very few GP's taking new patients and this before the pandemic. I presume the OP has informed their existing mental health team of their move, it may be them that will advise on a local GP who may only end up being used for prescriptions etc. I wish the OP well but this is not quite as straight forward of joining a new gym.

No not everyone with mental health issues are referred to a psychiatrist ..... if GP s did that then the psychiatry services would be overwhelmed....

Dempo1 · 08-09-2020 7:46am

ForeverUnknown wrote: »

I have been reffered to the mental health team here, but Ive been let down by teams for so long I thought maybe if I got a good doctor it would help

It's a difficult balancing act OP, I understand your experiences with mental health services may not have been ideal but my concern is you having an over reliance on a GP to resolve these issues. Whilst GP"S are generally excellent, mental health is a very specific speciality and it's becoming practice for GP"S to be supportive but refer patients on to specialist care, it's not that they don't have compassion, it's because this is how the HSE want this dealt with and you'll know GP practices have limited time and scope to offer ongoing and long term care.

I've a neighbor here in the Midlands and there is fantastic supports, direct contact numbers, out of hours support. There must be at least one person in these services you could reach out for advice. Sadly mental health care is not a fits all specialty and I would take some time and write to or reach out to someone on the mental health services team.

Wanderer78 · 08-09-2020 7:48am

Wesser wrote:

No not everyone with mental health issues are referred to a psychiatrist ..... if GP s did that then the psychiatry services would be overwhelmed....

I've never been referred as such, but my mental health issues are relatively mild compared to others, I've never been hospitalised, thank God, sounds like a nightmare, but I was recommended therapy by my gp

Dempo1 · 08-09-2020 7:51am

Wesser wrote: »

No not everyone with mental health issues are referred to a psychiatrist ..... if GP s did that then the psychiatry services would be overwhelmed....

Not a psychiatrist correct but automatically to Mental Health services. Even a request for medication will trigger a referral and GP" will advise on this immediately.

Wesser · 08-09-2020 7:56am

The community mental health team is lead by the psychiatrist.... all referrals go through them....

Dempo1 · 08-09-2020 8:27am

Wesser wrote: »

The community mental health team is lead by the psychiatrist.... all referrals go through them....

Yes, thats what I meant to say, but automatic referral is the policy for any mental health concerns a GP may have.

Wompa1 · 08-09-2020 11:49am

I'm fortunate enough not to need that myself but have friends who have. Have heard some horror stories but I'll give another vote for <By PM please> by the Docks. It's a great place. Anyone in there I have dealt with has been professional and listened.

ForeverUnknown · 08-09-2020 11:56am

Wompa1 wrote: »

I'm fortunate enough not to need that myself but have friends who have. Have heard some horror stories but I'll give another vote for <By PM please> by the Docks. It's a great place. Anyone in there I have dealt with has been professional and listened.

This seems to be the most recommended so Ill just go with them. Thank you so much

inisboffin · 08-09-2020 2:56pm

OP my Doc recommendation was snipped here. Not sure why (but that's grand), as it would be the same as for any other doc recommendation. If you search threads, you will see a pattern of docs that are recommended as sound by people and start there. They are not all mental health specialists, but in my opinion start with a good GP. Saying that, a match of personalities also plays into it too of course.

_Whimsical_ · 08-09-2020 4:11pm

It might be worth your while doing a zoom call just to chat with a couple and see who you gel with. It's not always easy to just walk off the street with a complex medical history of any sort and meet someone who understands and puts you at ease. Long term a chat to suss people out might be a good investment of your time and money.

I go to this place and like them. They have a note up in the waiting room saying that while you have an appointment time please accept there may be delays as they're committed to giving patients the time they need. I found that very reassuring. I haven't experienced delays there but I like that attitude and found it's been the case that the Dr I attend will give you the time and not rush you or be dismissive. They might be worth investigating. I go to <snip>. He has a very gentle, kind manner.
<snip>
Good luck!!
I really hope you find the perfect person first off the bat.

biko · 08-09-2020 9:15pm

Recommendations for professional services like Doctors, Lawyers etc by PM please. The other professionals might get jealous (or more likely, we get spammers)

ForeverUnknown · 09-09-2020 7:31am

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

It might be worth your while doing a zoom call just to chat with a couple and see who you gel with. It's not always easy to just walk off the street with a complex medical history of any sort and meet someone who understands and puts you at ease. Long term a chat to suss people out might be a good investment of your time and money.

I go to this place and like them. They have a note up in the waiting room saying that while you have an appointment time please accept there may be delays as they're committed to giving patients the time they need. I found that very reassuring. I haven't experienced delays there but I like that attitude and found it's been the case that the Dr I attend will give you the time and not rush you or be dismissive. They might be worth investigating. I go to <snip>. He has a very gentle, kind manner.
<snip>
Good luck!!
I really hope you find the perfect person first off the bat.

Could you send me a Private Message of the name of the Dr. Because the Mods have seemed to snip the name

xo.mary · 12-09-2020 5:49pm

Op, I PM’d you

A good GP for mental health?

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