Contradicting opinions of health professionals

Sarah_B · ‎28-11-2018

Hi, I've been going to a GP for the last months for depression, anxiety and mood swings which I have had for years. Every time she has me fill in the K-10 as well as some other assessments. The results always indicate severe depression and some level of anxiety. She had me try two generic antidepressants but both did not seem to work for me. I have been referred to a counselor who also had me fill in some assessments. He asked the GP to refer me to a psychiatrist as he thought it would be better if I was diagnosed (he believed I had some sort of anxiety disorder) and would be prescribed more specific medication. Now I have seen the psychiatrist and he concluded that there is no diagnosis to be made as he believes I do not have depression or anxiety. He has informed my GP and counselor of this and says I should not take any medication as it will not help me (since I apparently do not have any mental disorder). I am really confused right now because all the assessments show depression and anxiety and I answer them honestly as to how I feel. Now I do not get any more medication and I feel really scared, lost, and confused about the outcome of all this. Why do I feel the way I do if there is nothing wrong with me?

RT93 · ‎28-11-2018

Hi Sarah B,

I know exactly how you feel and it can be very frustrating when you are told different things and given different diagnoses from multiple health professionals. Have you considered maybe seeing a psychologist instead of a psychiatrist? They may be able to help you work through your worries and come at the issue from a different angle as opposed to focusing on the medication side of things.

Sometimes the assessments that you fill out don't accurately convey how you are actually feeling and can be misinterpreted by health professionals. Maybe by seeking help from a psychologist you will be able to get the help that you need.

I know it can really frustrating to be told conflicting information, but don't give up on seeking help. Sometimes all it takes is engaging with the right kind of professional for things to start to click into place.

RT93

Nurse_Jenn · ‎28-11-2018

Hi Sarah B

Your story sounds really frustrating being bounced between health professionals. Though it sounds like your GP is willing to guide and refer you towards treatment for your symptoms it seems you haven't found the right fit in who will be supporting you on your journey towards wellness. Don't give up!

Imagine having severe back pain and trying physiotherapy and massage and not getting any relief and then finally going to a chiropractor and this is the right therapy and the pain is gone. Sometimes you have to keep trying and once you find the right one, it will be worth it.

I concur with RT93 and a psychologist may be the right option for you. There are low intensity coaching programs like the developed by beyondblue NewAccess program. It is only available in select locations across Australia but it may be worth a look to see if there is a service near you. Just search for NewAccess on the beyondblue website.

All this can make you feel very lost in the health system and I encourage you to reach out on the beyondblue forum through your journey. Sometimes waiting to see a psychologist can take some time as there may be wait times to get an appointment. Another option is to use the beyondblue support line if you are feeling down. The number is 1300 22 4636 and the support staff are really great to chat to particularly if you are having a rough day.

As a health professional I get frustrated to see the system so complicated for when people reach out to get support. But persistence generally pays off and and even if it is through trial and error, there are some fantastic psychologists, psychiatrists and counsellors out there. You just need to find the one that is right for you.

Wishing you the best possible outcome,

Nurse Jenn

Sarah_B · ‎02-12-2018

Thank you for your replies!

I didn't see WA in the NewAccess page so it's probably not around here. I'm living pretty rural at the moment and the psychiatrists are only visiting ones from the city. I think one of the people I saw over the last months is a psychologist but of the 5 people I've seen now, 3 of them I only saw once (the other 2 being the GP and counsellor). I would have loved to try another medication but now that the psychiatrist concluded that I'm not depressed I don't think I can get anything prescribed from the GP anymore. My counsellor has transferred and I'm not keen to see another person again, particularly now that I feel I've just wasted everyone's time because there's apparently nothing wrong with me and it was all just in my head. It took me years to build up the courage to reach out to mental health professionals and now that I have, I feel like it would have been better if I didn't. It hasn't helped me whatsoever and left me even more confused.

romantic_thi3f · ‎12-12-2018

Hi Sarah B,

I'm sorry that you've been getting the runaround with counsellors and psychiatrists, but I want you to know it doesn't mean that there's nothing wrong with you and that it's all in your head!

When psychiatrists go to make a diagnosis often they refer to the DSM (Diagnostic manual) to literally see if you 'tick enough boxes'. Lots of people have anxiety but don't necessarily tick enough boxes to be diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder, or have depression but aren't necessarily diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (as an example). It does not mean that what you're feeling or going through isn't real or valid.

It's an understatement that psychiatrists can be difficult as you could potentially go to a couple in the same week and be diagnosed for different things (my experience!). At the end of the day it's an opinion, but nobody will ever know you the way that you know yourself.

Would you be open to talking with your GP about this since you don't need a psychiatrist to be prescribed medication? Or trialling a different GP? Alternatively you could find a psychiatrist here and see if they do online consultants (filter on the right hand side) to broaden your search - https://www.yourhealthinmind.org/find-a-psychiatrist

Don't give up - like Nurse Jenn said it is worth it when you have the best support on your side.

Hope this helps,