Experiences with GP

[Birdy05]

Hi! I am just curious as to others experiences with their GP discussing anxiety and OCD and treatment? I have just seen a GP for the first time regarding my mental health - I have never discussed this with any GP at all - and the outcome of a 15min conversation was medication. I’m definitely not anti medication however I feel that in my case it was a bit of a rushed decision by the GP and there were no conversations about trying lifestyles changes or anything first - only that I should see a psychologist once we move in a month which I am 100% open to!

I guess my question is should I be going back and expressing my hesitancy and seeing if we can start off differently or should I trust her judgement with it? I feel like it’s such a big decision to start medication based off a 15min conversation with a GP I am not familiar with!

Others thoughts and experiences?

[mmMekitty]

Hello Birdy05,

Absolutely, you can go back to your GP & discuss your concerns about the medication. If you think you will find it difficult to talk, write out your concerns & questions beforehand. If anything, this will help you feel more prepared, & if you still struggle, you can give them what you wrote.

mmMekitty

[Justin95]

Good on you for taking the next step to liberate your mental health. At least your GP recommended medication, mine recommended to drink plenty of fluid.

hope this helps

[mmMekitty]

Hello Birdy05 & Justin95,

Also, if you are not confident with what your GP recommends, you can always seek a second, or third opinion from other GPs.

mmMekitty

[Petal22]

Hi Birdy05,

I understand, If the gp you saw prescribed medication and you are uncomfortable with it please go back to the gp so you can discuss further or see a second gp for a second opinion.

I understand anxiety I had severe anxiety OCD, I saw my gp when I was experiencing symptoms and we did a mental health together I was also put on a antidepressant to help me to manage my anxiety. I saw a clinical psychologist and I was diagnosed with OCD by a psychiatrist. I also did a 8 week group therapy for my OCD.

I believe medication and therapy go hand in hand.

I have written two threads you may be interested in reading.

From someone who had OCD and recovered

Effective treatment for OCD Metacognitive Therapy

Please ask me any questions

[Petal22]

Also Birdy05,

A antidepressant is usually managed by the gp prescribing so if you decide to go on this you are best seeing a gp you want to stay with so it can be monitored with you.

[mocha delight]

Hi birdy05 my gp when I had made an appointment to talk about ‘my issues’ she asked me about if there was any family history of mental health and how I’d been going ect ect ect. But then again I’d typed out a list of symptoms & signs of depression I’d been experiencing which I handed out straight to her before that so I found that very helpful. I also liked how she gave me the option of if to trying antidepressants, seeing a psychologist or both antidepressants & seeing a psychologist first which I choose trying just antidepressants first but I now wished I had gone with the option of both trying antidepressants and seeing a psychologist. But that appointment was not an easy one as I lost my grandma 2/3 days beforehand so with that and talking about ‘my issues’ I did break down emotionally so like yeah.

[Blhaj]

Hi Birdy,

Personally I would seek a second opinion if you're feeling a little uncomfortable. A good way I've found to find GPs is looking online at the practices website. Sometimes the website will have a section detailing what each doctor specialises in.

I'm sure 99% of doctors are great but findings doctors who specifically list "mental health" as a speciality makes me a little more comfortable.

Hope all goes well

[mmMekitty]

That's a good idea, Blåhaj. I don't know why I didn't think of that. I looked online when I was wanting a Psychologist & wanted one who would suit my needs. The profiles I found were helpful.

However, a note of caution. My local GP practice has a website & I saw on there the GP I had just seen, was supposedly interested in mental health, but when speaking to her, to ask for a Mental Health Care Plan, she seemed totally uninterested in why I wanted it, how I was feeling lately, nothing. Can I put it down to the short consult? I don't know.

I hope, Blåhaj, that you are right, & not as pesimistic as I am... 😸nor as cynical.

*

& Birdy05, I hope we can help some more. If you have more questions, please don' hesitate to ask.

mmMekitty.

[mocha delight]

mmMekitty I’m pretty sure it was somewhere on the forums to book a long appointment when having to with wanting to talk about mental health issues but if not I might of/and read that when I did some research on google but not 100% sure which one it was a bit over a year ago mind you.