appt with GP

[Jo3]

So today I had an appt with my GP so he could make sure I was okay.  Well I wasn't okay. He said he cares about me and wants to see me happy again and not in this state.  He said he would be very hurt if i did something to myself. 

I was sitting there, head down not really paying attention to what he was saying. I don't care anymore.  I told him I had a plan and we talked about it and now he wants me to see a psychiatrist. And i said no because i don't want to talk about the same stuff over and over again. And then he'll probably give me more medication which i don't want.

I told him why can't he just send me away somewhere and he said I am not at that point of being admitted into hospital. But he wants me to see someone.  I told him i can't because then i will lose my therapist and i don't want to lose him as i am comfortable with him.  But actually last night in session we talked about how bad i thought my depression is and he said i probably should see a psychiatrist as well.  Can i see a psych for one visit or do i have to keep going back and now with less hours at work which means less money i don't think i can afford seeing a psych.

What are they going to do anyway? 

I'm not in a very good frame of mind at the moment, my GP wants me to stay busy all weekend and I have to go back on Tuesday to see him.  

My GP said that my husband is at fault to a point because he doesn't want to acknowledge my depression and doesn't speak to me about it.  I know he wants it all to be perfect but it's not perfect.

So that was my day today, I am exhausted and fragile at the same time. 

These thoughts are horrible.

Jo

[Neil_1]

Hi Jo

There's no need to be scared ... really ... psychiatrist is a name for another doctor kind of person ... it's just a title, that's sometimes a little difficult to spell.  I believe there was a stigma involved about their profession way back when ... in fact, in the TV Show, Fawlty Towers, Basil had an encounter with two psychiatrists in his hotel for an episode.  That was the kind of stigma attached to them.

In my mind the stigma is pretty much gone ... why?  Because I've been seeing a pyschiatrist for, hmmmm, around 7 years now, perhaps a bit more.  And I actually see him in waves kind of thing.  Where I get so bad that I just HAVE to go and see him and I have a few visits, say once a week and then I kind of get my 'fix' and then I'm probably not back to him again for 6-8 months and then the cycle continues.

But please don't be scared;  they are just another human being, but a fairly highly qualified and specialised one.  Don't know how yours will work, but I can claim back on Medicare with mine, so I don't lose out altogether.

Tonight Jo ... don't know if you're into sport at all, but the Aussie Open tennis is getting to the Finals stage, but for me, I'll be watching the cricket, the Big Bash;  love it.

Tomorrow - well, you've got the home nice and tidy by the sound of it.  A nice walk along the beach with your dog?  Try and find a book that might be interesting for you?  Or look in the recipe book for something nice to cook for dinner?

Kind regards

Neil

[Girl_Anachronism]

Hi Jo,

You know since coming out about my illness to my close family and friends, I have added a new close friend to that circle. Once I told her minus some details what I was going through all she had to say was "I have been having a bad day too. I have been going through a similar situation." Now I can't guaranteee people will react like that- people react different ways.  I can offer hope in that might be people in your life who will react that way. There are certainly people on the forums like that.

Just say you have an appointment- no one needs to know what for unless you want to tell them.

Seeing someone else isn't a failure. Maybe you need more then one person to help you up. God knows I have seen 4 different psychs so far with an appointment with a 5th. More hands doesn't make you weak or a failure. Many hands make light work.

GA

[Jo3]

Hi GA

Thanks again for your advice.  You know the more I think about it the more I feel I need to see a psychiatrist.  Even if it's just to talk about my medication and a review of how things are going.

Take care

Jo