Finding a Doctor

[Suzbj]

Find a good Doctor. I have had some bad experiences with doctors over the years and have had a few wonderful doctors that have been long term. My last wonderful doctor left the area about three months ago and I have seen three doctors since, leaving in tears. While it is recommended to see your GP re depression and/or mental health. Here is what I have to say about that. Be careful. A doctor is not automatically going to be informed, understanding or empathetic to something that isn’t a ‘physical’ illness. So pick your GP carefully. If you are put down, belittled or humiliated, understand it is their lack of knowledge, understanding and education – it is not a fault of yours. Depression is real and it does have biological foundations just like any other illness. I also have Type 2 diabetes and have never been put down for that. I drove home today crying my eyes out from the utter humiliation of this last third doctor I checked out today. I needed to shake off that humiliation and emailed web chat on Beyond Blue which was sensational and really made me buck up and dust myself off. The point is this: Doctors aren’t Gods. They are people. They too have their lived experiences. They too have their weaknesses and strengths. Being a doctor doesn’t necessarily mean having the expertise or training to be empathetic, understanding or resourceful. So if you don’t have a good experience with your doctor,find another doctor, try, try again until you find someone you gel with and trust and is on the same page. But whatever you do, don’t blame yourself or see yourself as ‘less than’. I’m getting pretty good at not caring what people think. I truly mostly don’t care what people think these days. I think... “That’s THEIR problem. And they are entitled to their opinion. But it has nothing to do with me and I am not taking it on board.” I was disappointed with myself today because “I took the doctor’s personal opinion on board.” “Why did I do that?” I asked myself, crying all the way home. “Because somehow I feel vulnerable when I go to a doctor.” I forgot, they are just people too. I’m still searching for a doctor and I will find the right one for me eventually. Cheers Suz xx

[Neil_1]

Hi Suz (and to others in search for the right professional)

You have opened my eyes ... I think I've just lucked out with doctors where I've gone too.  My psychologists on the other hand is a completely different matter, but I've now found one that is good - for me.

I'm wondering, have you used the search facility on Beyond Blue to try to locate a suitable doctor?  As they have a list here and all GP's are trained to deal with mental health issues.  If you haven't then hopefully that next step for you might prove to be a positive one?

But to also reinforce what you said about if you don't find a good one, PLEASE don't blame yourself - it is not your fault one bit.  It is THEY who don't have the necessary knowledge, experience or expertise to assist you.  You go there with all good intentions that they'll be able to help and if you walk out feeling worse than when you walked in, that is their fault and not yours.  I know these are just words and it's easy to write words, but please, if this happens, there is no option but to try again.

One thing I would be very interested to know is, for anyone who is reading this and has actually done the search on this website and found a GP from here.  Are you able to provide your experience and how it went?   I think that would be very useful.

Kind regards

Neil

ps:  Suz, I hope the next one you find is "the one".

[Scott_Depression]

Hi Suz

Must admit, like Neil I've been fortunate in the doctors I've seen - never been belittled or put down - sounds awful - not to mention it would be occurring when you're feeling vulnerable.

Not sure if Christopher Banks or Neil might know, but it might be good for BB as an organisation to know the doctors that have been less helpful - they might be able to provide a little education for them.

Agree with what you say - they are very fallible, like most of us!  I think Neils idea of tapping into the network of doctors on the register sounds like a good idea - would be interested in how the experience goes for you

Kind regards

Scott

[Suzbj]

Thanks Neil, for your reply. That is a very good point. It would be good to hear feedback on how the experience with doctors listed re the treatment of depression etc went. And, no, no listed doctors in my area. Have a great weekend.

Cheers

Suz 🙂