Lacking courage to speak with GP

[Mike_346]

I am going through depression for a long time and was trying to manage it on self so far. However, lately I have been going through hard times. I tried to book an appointment with GP so many times but I didn't succeed because of lack of courage or fear of my opinion being dismissed by the GP. I am terrible at story telling. I don't know where to start from. Lately, I am having trouble sleeping and experiencing some tremors. I know I need help but not sure if I will get appropriate support. I am terribly low of self esteem now. 

[therising]

Hi Mike

Whether courage is something we suddenly rise to or gradually rise to, either way we're raising our self. A bit of it here and a bit of it there, step by step. I think to be able to experience the feeling of courage, we have to feel fear first.

I wish every GP was wonderful; you could walk into their office, express yourself freely and they'd seriously wonder about getting to the bottom of how you're feeling and why things have become so unbearable. Some are definitely wonderful and some just don't wonder enough in my opinion. I think it's important to have the attitude 'It's not me, it's them', if we're left walking out with no solid sense of direction or plan. 1st opinion, 2nd opinion or 3rd, whatever it takes for there to be a plan we can work with and relate to.

Do you feel a good start could be something along the lines of 'For the past several weeks/months, I've been feeling incredibly down. While I've tried to manage this myself, I feel I can no longer manage things without help. I need help. My sleep and mental and physical well being are being seriously impacted'?

A good GP will automatically raise our self esteem. Perhaps something like 'It was a good call on your part, coming here. Now let's see what we can do'. Can recall going to a GP when I'd become so dysfunctional I could barely get off the couch. I had no energy, I felt depressed and hopeless and my internal dialogue was shot to hell. His 'diagnosis': 'You're a busy mum, wife and daughter of 2 aging parents. You're exhausted...'. He was almost laughing as I walked out of there feeling dismissed, with my self esteem taking a further dive. That was until something in me said 'There's something seriously wrong. Don't stop 'til you find out what it is'. I can smile now when I recall the sleep apnea poster at reception. I paid for no help from the doctor and went and got tested for SA. Long story short, being treated for SA turned everything around for me at that time. Good sleep is so incredibly important.

Trust how you feel Mike and don't take anything less than helpful. Help is what you deserve, it's what you're paying for and it's what will create a difference.

[Beth_123]

Hi Mike

Don't worry, you will get the support you need. Many of us have been in the exact same boat as you are now, including me and many of my family members. Consider booking an online session with a therapist just to get some practice talking before you go to your GP.

Everything will be okay.

Take care.

[Summer Rose]

Hi Mike

I understand how hard it feels to approach a GP with mental health concerns. But based on what you’ve shared, I think it’s important for you to take this step. There is help available and with the right treatment many people do recover from depression. It can get better for you.

From my experience here are a few tips for your consideration…

If you think it will be hard to verbally tell your story write it down. You can read from your notes or just give them to the doctor. Many people do the same.

Try to remember when you’re at the appointment that you are not the first and will not be the last person to approach this doctor with a mental health concern. It’s okay to share any health concern with a GP. They’ve most likely heard a very similar story many times before.

Finding the right GP can be a challenge. When I first approached our long time family GP with a mental health concern about my child I unfortunately received an unhelpful response. So, I phoned a few clinics. I asked if they had a GP with an interest in mental health.

There is nothing wrong with looking online or calling ahead to seek a GP with a focus in men’s mental health. These doctors do exist.

Then I would encourage you to book a double appointment so you have time to talk and you aren’t rushed.

And if you still don’t get a kind, caring and helpful response, try again. 
You can do this. You are worth the effort. You deserve to achieve your best health.

Kind thoughts to you

[geoff]

Hello Mike, I think when we try and solve our depression by ourselves, we get caught up with trying to find solutions that aren't appropriate, so then develops another problem which we had even thought of before, so it then becomes worse.

Sure we may be scared of what a professional says back to us, because it may be something we hadn't thought of, but in reality it could be a good reflection on our problem.

The other side of this is if we win tattslotto we don't tell anyone either for reasons we all have, but before you see your doctor write down in point form the reasons why you feel this way, then just hand this over to your doctor as soon as you're in their room, this will outline your problems, so that they can then suggest medication and put you on a mental health plan.

This entitles you to 20 Medicare paid sessions talking with a psych.

Please don't do as I did and find other ways to try and solve my problems because when this happens we normally don't tackle the difficult parts, whereas a psych/doctor will slowly try and help you overcome these issues.

Geoff.

Life Member.

[Mike_346]

Thank you so much. Saw GP. Felt so suppprted. 

[Summer Rose]

That’s awesome, Mike. Thank you so much for sharing your news. You just made my day !

Kind thoughts to you