GP - preparing mental health plan

[Leaf]

Hope it is ok to post this here, not sure which section to put it in.
I went to a gp today about getting help for mental issues. I booked a double, had the mental health stuff and 2 other things to see her about (one was a physio referral for RSI which she'd been preparing from my previous visit 2 wks ago so it was really just some details/printing). **Sorry this is long, I didn't mean for it to be - thanks for reading if you do - broke it up as too long to post as one post**

As background, I was diagnosed (couple of yrs ago, but my guess is that it's been going on quite some time longer - I am just stubborn/avoidant of docs) with depression/anxiety/panic attacks (from a doctor I actually did trust - a gp specializing in mental health who I saw when I went to a Headspace place).

When I brought up (with this new doc today) that I felt it was all getting out of hand again and wanted to see someone again she was ok with me requesting a mental health care plan and referral to a bulkbilling psych. But I felt she didn't really discuss things with me properly... she was polite and professional but also said that it would take her at least an hour 'of her own time' to do the plan (I felt bad, but then I thought hang on and reminded her that at my previous visit 2 wks ago, I had specifically booked a double to have more time to discuss this but they gave me a normal short appt instead - I didn't even end up bringing up the mental stuff then). I was a bit taken aback by that comment as of the 2 MHCPs I've had done previously (one of which I never acted on), they were pretty much done right there and then within 10 min (though admittedly minimal detail), and also - isn't that what docs are meant to do? Maybe I am just not up with this stuff.

[Leaf]

Part 2: Anyway, I told her of the past diagnosis, gave her the only (few) 'non-normal' results of previous full blood tests I had done (she referred me for a few more again which is fair enough as they were about 2 yrs old), I explained I'd seen someone (psych) before a few times but then moved/couldn't afford, gave her a list of 'symptoms' I'd prepared previously (I forget stuff on the spot and worry about remembering things so tend to write it down) and she gave me a very brief survey (K10 I think) to fill out. However I feel like she didn't quite grasp the extent of the issues... this is probably my fault - I tend to 'cover' very well, and can keep it together to a degree, but now that I'm home again I feel like I'm just losing it again. She didn't ask me if I'd been self harming or anything, didn't bring up suicide at all, which I felt was unusual given we were meant to be discussing a MHCP? I've never self harmed, but I have been suicidal before, and I actually have been having desires to self harm and suicidal thoughts again lately. Of course I forgot to mention this to her as she didn't specifically ask, and I hadn't written it on my 'list' (felt it was too private to write down) and I was anxious and also felt a bit rushed. Fact is, for me to go to a doc about this again means I'm basically at the end of my tether about it all.

I mentioned that a previous doc had prescribed medication (which I didn't fill/take) and that I wanted to try/have been trying to deal with stuff myself, to which she said well it's good to attempt other things first if you can - I agree wholeheartedly, but honestly it doesn't seem to be hacking it for me lately if I am honest with myself. I was a little surprised she didn't even mention considering medication as an option (please understand I'm actually very 'anti-med-for-myself-where-possible' so it's not like I'm keen to get on something - I just want some way to actually address this stuff as I feel like it's taking over my life but maybe I didn't express that).

Anyway she said she will complete the plan later today if possible ('in her private time' or whatever) and send it out via post to me.

[Leaf]

Part 3: (thanks for reading)

I do find it very hard to talk about stuff like this with people, which I tried to explain, but I feel often (esp lately) that because I generally 'look' ok and can hold a reasonable conversation most of the time and keep it together in public that it's assumed that I couldn't be more than slightly depressed/anxious/etc. I think even my (newish) boyfriend has only recently begun to understand how this stuff affects me more than it may seem. I mean I do try to hide things to a degree and probably gloss over things myself which obviously doesn't help, I know, but sometimes I feel like 'professionals' at least should know better to kind of probe a bit... I really don't know. My concern is basically I feel like I actually do need some form of help in a bit of a hurry at the moment, and I don't know how to get people to recognize that, and see that I'm trying to 'reach out'. Sometimes I feel like my issues are seen as relatively trivial and dismissed as not really requiring attention. I mean I know rationally they are not much compared to some other people's, but I do recognize (from experience) that I'm seriously going downhill again, and I know that where I am currently/where I'm heading is not a good place, which is why I'm trying to deal with it. Really sorry this ended up long, I guess if anyone's read this far I just want a 2nd opinion on things please? Am I going about it all the wrong way? Am I just overthinking things?

Thanks very much.

[Brett]

Hi Leaf,

Thank you for writing your post. I guess that some professional people try their best to understand another person's mental illness but can fall short in terms of understanding and empathy. I have had a range of experiences like yours and have found it frustrating. I respond in two ways: I do the best I can with the person I am talking to and then move on until I find the right person for me. I have been through a range of psychiatrists and GPs who were mostly good, with one or two who didn't appeal to me. I am sad to hear that you are heading down hill. There are lots of suggestions in these forums which might help; from exercise to medication to yoga to calling the number on top of the screen. I realise however that the first step might be surrounding yourself with the right professional help; people who get you and take you seriously.  

Wishing you well,

Brett.

[geoff]

dear Leaf, thanks for being apart of this forum, wish it was under better circumstances.

For a doctor to fill out a request for a mental health plan doesn't take long, and it can be sent by email, fax or mail, it's not like writing 'gone with the wind', it's simple and easy to do, and can be authorised by their medical stamp and then signed.

A lot of people are too frightened to even mention the word 'depression' initially to their doctor, but it's a very common problem that seems to be taking over, and so many doctors do treat people with this illness, I know that pride comes into it, I think most of us were the same as you.

If any doctor is skilled enough or 'practice makes perfect', well sometimes, they should be able to pick up your depression and even what you say, and then take action.

I feel the best option for you now is to click on resources above or even ring the web chat to find a GP near you who will recognise your depression, and maybe this time try a male doctor.

I can't empathise more strongly that it's best not to communicate fully with them, I know that this is something that you maybe frightened of doing, but you need to so that a band-aid is not placed on you, in other words cover up your depression, because it will only get worse, and it's now that you need the help, not in a weeks time.

I am so pleased that you have joined us and by talking to us may help you to open up, so Part 4 begins, sorry, but we all care for you. L Geoff. x