Awful experience with a new GP

[Boofa]

I live in a rural area and have gathered my courage to visit a new GP because of increased anxiety and depression. I'm in tears, because he made me feel that my situation is all my own fault. I asked if I might increase my medication dosage, and he said there was no point while I kept drinking (bottle of wine a night, awful , I know, only way I can sleep without manic dreams). He suggested exercise and fresh air and sunlight and halving my alcohol intake. I've had depression since primary school but more recently anxiety. I was crying in his office and he expressed no words of sympathy/concern. I know!!!! what I need to do, exercise, see friends, cut the drinking, but the trouble is, as you all know, when you're really down, that seems (is) impossible. I know in a way he is right, but if I could have done all that, I would have. Or am I being irrational? My partner is away and I would really love some wisdom , as I'm new here. If only he knew how difficult it was to even seek help. Phew! Hope everyone out there remembers that we are really strong and will get there (trying to believe that).

[Croix]

Dear Boofa~

I don't think Geoff would mind if I answered part of your message to him and leave the rest -thanks Geoff.

When anyone at all posts anything on the forum their message is there for all to see, not just one person, not just those in the thread.

I agree about replying and acknowledging everyone that posts to you. It is time consuming, tiring, and one can easily get mixed up.

What I do is this:

For a general message that applies to everyone in the thread I address the message by writing 'Dear All~' or similar at the top. This can be even though you have clicked on 'Reply' to any poster in the thread.

To address my message to several I might still use the Dear All~ heading, but have sub-headings addressed to each one inside dealing with things that are for that person.

such as

Dear All~

Croix: blah ...

Geoff: etc ..

Then again, like this message, I sometimes address it to a particular person.

It depends upon circumstances and how you feel at the time.

There are no hard and fast rules and most don't always expect an individual reply. Do what you are comfortable with.

Hope this helps, sing out if I've confused you (I'm pretty good at that:)

Croix