GP's and Anti-Depressants Important Info

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone! New Posters are very welcome to share your experiences with a GP too!

I had an appointment yesterday with my GP. He is aware of what I do on the Beyond Blue forums. I asked him about anti depressants and how he treats his patients with depression/ anxiety and why some GP's dont prescribe meds. This is what I learned yesterday from one doctor.

• He has always had an interest in depression and anxiety and prescribes AD's where the symptoms fit the criteria to do so
• He will refer to a psychiatrist if a patient shows symptoms of a more 'complex' mental illness and not prescribe meds himself
• Some GP's have little interest in 'getting involved' with depression and will refer to a psychiatrist with little if any discussion
• He isnt 'pro meds' or 'anti-meds' He treats depression as a serious illness with meds to improve his patients health & well being

• He mentioned that a pro-active GP can know more about AD's than some psychiatrists as GP's have more frequent patient contact

It did surprise me that some GP's have little or no interest in treating depression. I hope these GP's are in the minority.

I am interested to know any good or not so good experiences other people have had with a GP. I posted this thread originally so any people with untreated depression/anxiety have a better understanding of how experiences with a GP can be positive step towards recovery.

All your thoughts are most welcome

Thankyou for taking the time to read my thread

Kind thoughts

Paul

[pipsy]

Hey Paul. My G.P is great at 'dishing' out pills for this, pills for that etc. Discussing the why's and why nots are not on the same agenda. I sometimes feel, he thinks I should not ask as I 'would not understand'. Discussing depression/mental health another 'grey' area. I have not been entirely happy with him for sometime, but at the moment I have little choice as there aren't too many Dr's in my area taking 'new' patients. When my marriage went pear-shaped, I asked for a referral to a counsellor. Dr sent me to someone who was younger than my daughter with text book experience, but no ideas how to cope with 'real life'. My Dr was acquainted with her which is why he sent me. I went back and asked for another referral and was put on a waiting list. Each time I question the medication i.e adjusting/changing the short answer, 'no', no discussion, just no. I now only see him for script renewal.

Lynda

[blondguy]

Hi Pipsy, its a huge bonus to have you back after your break especially considering how much you have helped others in need.

The GP situation can be difficult as they tend to refer us off (as per my first paragraph) when we are 'out of their comfort zone/ability to treat'. You actually made a really good point of having limited doctors in your area to begin with.

Its a bonus to the forums to have your wisdom and experience back on line 🙂

Paul xo

[Cbugs]

Very well said... some dr don't know where to begin...

[pipsy]

hey Paul. It's fantastic to be back, and thanks for the compliment re: helping others in need. All I offer is 'life's' experiences such as I have experienced.

Lynda xx

[blondguy]

Hi Cbugs

Thanks for replying to the thread especially with a compliment as well 🙂 I hope you can stick around the forums, it would be great to hear more about you or even if you just want a chat

Pipsy, its so good to have you here. You can and always have made a huge difference on the forums 🙂

my kindest

Paul xo

[Tellem]

Hi all,

It seems I could write a book on this subject (or at least 1 chapter) as I've just typed away & clocked up over 5.5k words! Hmm, let me try again & be a little less wordy...

The gist of what I want to share with everyone is that, in my experience, there are a lot of health professionals who don't give half the effort we would all need them to. I've realised, as well, that the media & the minority of good health professionals that exist have raised our expectations very high. I guess we could also say that times have changed, esp. in regards to Doctor-Patient care.

Overseas I have been yelled at by GPs when in a very vulnerable mental state, then no help given. Here in Oz I've just been neglected: no matter if I've gone to see a GP for a physical or mental health ailment, there just hasn't been the level of dedication I think we all expect.

Eg when a GP tells you to come back for your test results in a week, then you turn up & he/ she can't remember you had the test, even though they have your details up on the computer in front of them. Seems trivial at first, doesn't it? But could it not also suggest GPs can't be bothered with you? Esp. when this happens with multiple doctors you thought you had a working relationship with.

If you feel that this is happening to you then we have a lot to talk about! Time & time again GPs have cut me off before I've had a chance to fully describe my symptoms, which is frustrating when anxiety is making it so difficult to get the words out in the first place! Then they kick you out of their office - nada - zilch - just a dark void. How depressing is that?

I resent the reality that we must 'shop around' for health care when we already have enough to deal with on a daily basis.

I've had the same, persistent physical condition for years & no-one has given 2 figs. It's even harder with my mental health issues but, for once, luck has shone its' golden light on me. I have found a great psychiatrist - yep, a psychiatrist no less! I was referred to him by a typical harried & hurried GP but at least this GP gave 1 fig. It only takes 1!

It's been trial & error but my current meds are working wonders & are the only reason why I can write this post.

I know Doc Martin is fictional but the thing about him was, despite how much he disliked 'people' (which I can relate to), he was completely dedicated to his profession & I think that made him a brilliant doctor.

Don't give up hope & don't give up looking...

[blondguy]

Hi Tettem

Welcome and good on you for having the courage to post too!

I understand where you are coming from with the awful anxiety symptoms...and the low care factor when we see some GP's......I felt like I was reading my own history when I just read your thread

You have written a great post.....all of it is more than relevant to sufferers of the mongrel anxiety/depression and you make a solid point that a caring & attentive GP is hard to find. I agree that we shouldnt have to shop around for a 'good' or 'switched on' GP....It took me 13 years to find 2 GP's that are Gold....better late than never I guess

If I can quote you on a piece of your post: "Don't give up hope & don't give up looking..." So well said...:-)

Good on you too for making the effort to go on the meds, and have success with them as well..If its of any help I have been on them since 1996 and my work performance actually became better after taking them

I am only a volunteer on the forums Tellem, but its a huge bonus to read that you have found a doc that works.

You have written a terrific & inspirational post here Tellem....I really hope you can stick around the forums....you have a lot to offer.

The forums are a judgemental free zone.....and rock solid secure as well. There are heaps of people like you and I that make up the bulk of the posters on here.

you are definitely not alone here Tellem

my kind thoughts and appreciation for your great post

Paul

[blondguy]

Hello Everybody.......New & Existing Posters are more than welcome to say hello and have their say/view here

Just an update on my original thread..for your information

I posted this thread topic after years of Anxiety & Depression and how GP's treat these awful issues

Your experience with your GP with or without Medication is important to us whether good or bad

If you have been able to self heal please also let us know. You will be helping more people than you know 🙂

This is my 21st year on a low dose antidepressant after trying to self heal for over 13 years with no success

Any posters views about their depression/anxiety and their GP are highly respected and valued

my kind wishes whether you are a new/existing poster or if you choose to only read the forums 🙂

Paul

[Tellem]

Thanks Paul and your reply was very positive, supportive and made me feel good. It's nice to have a bit of light shone in on an overcast day, if you get my meaning.

Just wanted to let you and everyone know who is suffering PTSD and related symptoms, as I am, that GPs might actually start to get an education on what it's really like for us. In other words, a 3 year study has been concluded by the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation, funded by the RSL I believe. How's this for a brilliant, hope inspiring quote:

"Our study shows that PTSD can no longer be considered narrowly as a psychological condition, it is a full systemic disorder," GMRF Director Of Research, Professor Darrell Crawford.

I was heartened that even though the study is focusing on veterans with PTSD, they have at least mentioned the rest of us on civvy street on their site.

They have some videos and some text, nothing too sciency or heavy. Basically they have proved that participants with PTSD have…

• Four times the chance of having had a heart attack in the past
  Two times the risk of stomach ulcers
  More than triple the risk of acting out their dreams while asleep
  Almost two times the tendency of restless legs
  Increased daytime fatigue and sleepiness
  Two times the risk of suffering sleep apnea
  Double the chance of reflux
  Greater tendency to report constipation, diarrhoea and irritable bowel syndrome
  Lower levels of ‘good’ cholesterol which contributes to an increased risk of heart disease

I have most of the conditions on that list! And I think/ hope that when they publish the full results of their study they will have more conditions, like Tendonitis which is plaguing me and many others with PTSD.

I'll be writing to my doctor and my psychiatrist. It's so good not to be just some hypervigilant hyperchondriac to be ignored and forgotten!

[blondguy]

Hi Tellem

Thanks for your kind words. Im glad that you found my reply helpful 🙂

What a great thread especially the research from the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation.

"Our study shows that PTSD can no longer be considered narrowly as a
psychological condition, it is a full systemic disorder," GMRF Director
Of Research, Professor Darrell Crawford.

This is great material Tellem and for being proactive by posting it which will benefit many people

Great to have you on the forums Tellem. Please keep us informed when you see the full results of their study!

My Best

Paul