- Beyond Blue Forums
- Caring for myself and others
- Treatments, health professionals and therapies
- GP's and Anti-Depressants Important Info
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Mark Topic as New
- Mark Topic as Read
- Pin this Topic for Current User
- Follow
- Printer Friendly Page
GP's and Anti-Depressants Important Info
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
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
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Hey MarkJT
Thanks for your encouraging words.Day 19 now without antid's and I kind of feel okay.The only regret I have is that I won't be able to shred this Aussie season which opens in some resorts today.However, I have plenty of mates heading down who will keep me updated and maybe sneak down for the atmosphere late September (the snow is my happy place).
Saw my GP yesterday and they are really pleased with my progress ...to be honest I couldn't have got this far without the support of my amazing team of specialists and friends...I am truly blessed
Lots of preparation to do before I go in...so best get on with it...
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Hey blondguy
Thanks for your support too. It helps to just have people around who are non judgemental.
On with today!
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Shred, well that answers any questions on how you came up with your name! Love the snow but actually have never skied. Will get around to it soon though.
Bloody awesome that you are feeling okay - that is a huge effort.
Your words about how good your specialists and friends are is pure gold, especially the specialists part. There will be other people who read those words and book in to see GP's and the like because of it. Well done mate.
Mark.
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Hey Shred and thanks MarkJT for being here 🙂
You have done really well with your GP (and your other health guru's) I wish I had the same focus when I first started getting the anxiety attacks. I envy your strength Shred
Great work with the antidepressants too!!!
I was brought up in Niagara Falls Canada when I was a kid. I miss the snow as you do. Skiing was fabulous...even here on Hotham and Buller. Im still fit but the drive up those roads are a huge challenge for me nowadays
my kindest for you Shred
Paul
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Hey blondguy
You aren't doing too bad either - I have seen your posts and I believe you have more strength than you give yourself credit for!
Can I ask why the drive up the mountains is such a challenge for you (if you feel comfortable to answer that is)?
I was on skis at four years of age - starting young was the best way huh. No fear. I am a lot more cautious now but still manage to get the incredible buzz. And the fresh air !!
My focus has taken a long long time to come back blondguy... but I guess that's why i am here on the forums !!
Keep moving is certainly the key - not just physically but, with guided management you can move even a small bit emotionally.
My best to you...
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Hey Shred
Thanks for being on here!
You can read me like a book....I have been told many times that I have more strength than I give myself credit for and you are spot on. Im not really sure why but possibly some low self worth loitering around after 35 years of anxiety followed by depression may have something to do with it...I think...
You are very observant and can read between the lines very well 🙂 You are spot on its great to have you on the forums too Shred..I really like what you have to say when you post
I am more than comfortable to answer your question and thanks for asking/caring too.....In 1983 when I was 23 I had the first mega anxiety attack...it was awful...I was in bed for a week..a nervous wreck....I just didnt know I was pushing myself so hard and was so over sensitised at the same time
Since then heights.....(especially a mountain with the huge drop off) have always scared the crap out of me.
Even Arthurs Seat in Vic can be a huge challenge even driving my XR8 up it. Level ground seems to be really nice the last couple of decades 🙂
I guess that I have been channeling all my mental energy into my work...
I am very interested in hearing about regaining 'focus' as you mention. I am still learning!
Shred mentioned "with guided management you can move even a small bit emotionally"
Thanks heaps for your care Shred..Means a lot
Best Back
Paul
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Welcome blondguy...
I remember having a dear friend who had a lot of anxiety surrounding heights. A bunch of us went away together for 10 days for a summer hike in the main range of the NSW Snowy Mountains. We staged (over a period of ten days) a little exercise. We picked a spot first a quarter of the way up the mountain (400 metres) and took almost an hour to get there...with a lot of supportive talk and a couple of buddies doing it together..she made it!
Then, three days later...we went another 400 metres...
After the ten days..she accomplished what she thought she would never do...climb our highest mountain in Aus! We all stood together, took the obligatory picture and then we cried!!!
I guess for all of us who were on that trip the "lesson" for that trip was - good friends who are by your side can help you achieve anything!
I look at these forums as an opportunity...cyber friends who do not judge, who are always beside you, and who are walking that similar trail to you. You too can accomplish much just by being on these forums - there is much wisdom here and understanding too!
I think you would be quite surprised blondguy by how many mountains you actually have climbed, and, when the time and people are right, you will reach a height you never thought you could. Set small realistic goals and appreciate what you accomplish both at work and in your personal life!
You will get there! - I would even try another ski field to drive to! A friend of mine is doing that this weekend and is driving up to Perisher! Just to feel the buzz and the fresh air and be amongst it! She hasn't skied for a while and might not this weekend but she will be there!
Go well blondguy
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Hey Shred
Thanks for an inspirational post. You and your friends did a great job of gradual exposure to help your friend make that climb. Group support and TLC mixed together....Nice1
You are spot on Shred with the mountains that I have climbed which I have not really taken note of. Good point.
Shred Said: "Set small realistic goals and appreciate what you accomplish both at work and in your personal life!"
Another important point that I have let go to the wayside somewhat.
Great stuff and thanks again Shred 🙂
My Best. Paul
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Shred and Blondguy, awesome awesome posts. Love reading it, love being part of it, love the support.
I think it is interesting where we do not acknowledge our own strength and I think Paul has nailed it by saying that our low self esteem plays the major part. I mean, I always recognise and tell people how much courage they have, how far they have come and how good they are doing but i never tell myself that. Strange how it works. I used to think that I was the only one who did that....how wrong i was!!
Heights, yep scared as! Did a course a few years back (pre PTSD diagnoses) where I abseiled down a 350 ft cliff. Took me ages to actually get going but with the support and encouragement of my colleagues, got down and was the greatest feeling.
I with 5,179 posts and seen the calibre of posting that you do Paul, you have helped many many people climb their own mental health mountains and in my book, you get equal credit for that. It is up to the people who have seen darkness and now see light to help those that are in the darkness, see the light again. You, my friend, have guided a heap of people back into the light. You climb mountains more than you know.
Shred, you have a massively awesome way with words. Your value to this forum is huge and i thank you for being here and helping out so many people and like Paul, you are shedding light on so many peoples darkness. Awesome.
Mark.
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Hey Mark
Your post really touched me tonight...more than you know.......you have just made my year....and for your understanding that we dont always acknowledge our own strengths through low self worth/esteem......
Mark mentioned "Shred, you have a massively awesome way with words. Your value to this
forum is huge and i thank you for being here and helping out so many people"
Bless (spiritually) your huge heart Mark. Your ability to truly understand is an innate gift you possess..ty. Paul