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

[MarkJT]

Shred, great to hear that you are going well. Make sure you stay mindful and get your grounding down pat.

Mark.

[Shred1106]

Hey there Mark JT

Wow Day 14 now and I noticed yesterday just how short tempered I was, particularly after doing my long stints of volunteering, it has really taken it out of me this week.And being short fused is not me...Hate it. But I also need to keep in mind that a lot of how I am doing is pain related, so I am looking forward to Wednesday to see surgeon and make a plan. I want my life back in it's entirety!

[MarkJT]

Shred, it is awesome that you are doing your volunteering but at this moment in time, you need to concentrate on you. You are still working out the meds situation as well as major surgery coming up so mentally, it is hugely draining without having other matters on top.

Do you think you could put aside the volunteer work just for the time being and concentrate on yourself? Make sure you keep as much brain juice (mental energy) as you can have.

Once you have the surgery done and dusted and well advanced in your recovery, you can volunteer until your hearts content.

Just a thought.

Mark.

[Shred1106]

Thanks for your thoughts Mark JT I appreciate them. The volunteering has been a saviour but I will cut back a bit in an attempt to manage it better.My volunteering has been for long hours and I was thinking exactly this today. I cannot cut it out completely as it is for a sporting club and we are only part way through the season. It's a fine balance between keeping preoccupied, managing the pain and trying to keep even keeled isn't it?.Perhaps it's gotten away from me a little. Thanks for the continued support folks...

[MarkJT]

Shred, understand where you are coming from and yes, it is absolutely a balancing act between doing things that you like doing but also making sure you have enough fuel in the tank to keep yourself level.

Every morning when you get up, do a self evaluation to see where you are at and if you are good, go ahead and do what you have to do but if you are short on mental energy, a.k.a. brain juice, be kind to yourself and chill a bit more.

Keep going mate, you are doing an awesome job.

Mark.

[Shred1106]

Thanks Mark JT for your continued support - am doing an evaluation daily and working through it. I did resort to my backstop once and once only so far.Off to surgeon tomorrow.

[blondguy]

Hey Shred

If you can let us know how you go tomorrow (if you wish of course)

MarkJT had a good point about the volunteering. I hear you though that your volunteering has been a savior for you and good on you too!

You are doing really well Shred.

Great to have you as part of Beyond Blue 🙂

my kind thoughts for you

Paul

[Shred1106]

Hey guys

Well I am scheduled for major surgery in 12 days time. I will be 2 1/2 hours away from home so will stay in for rehab as well. Can't wait to get rid of one of these painful hips!! While I am there he will do a minor procedure on the other hip too to buy more time. A big day with all the pre-op stuff done now.. just got to organise a stack of things. My fur babies are booked into their hotel...they love going there and enjoy play groups, daily paddock walks and weekly massage and pamper sessions too. Our other animals will be looked after by family - ducks and chooks..

I am kind of relieved too, the hospital is excellent and I have been in there on four previous occasions, and, even better hopefully do it without antid's med (which caused Seratonin Syndrome last major surgery). A plan...and relief.

Day 17 without antid's - I think I am doing okay!

I am progressively getting my life back!

Thanks for your support.

[MarkJT]

Shred, i think you are doing more than okay, you are doing sensationally. So good to hear that you have a date locked in so no more wondering that's for sure.

Just think about once all the rehab is done how much easier your volunteering will be on the body!!

Great stuff - really happy for you.

Mark.

[blondguy]

Hey Shred

Really good that you have that date locked in....as MarkJT said it will ease any anticipatory worry..Excellent.

17 days without the AD's....now thats hard work.

Nice1 Shred....Love your attitude 🙂

my kind thoughts

Paul