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

[blondguy]

Have a great break Shred....you have earned it....and then some

When you have the time to talk about the tough times at work you are more than welcome to 🙂

In the meantime...save some of that mountain air for me please!

Rest well

Paul

[Shred1106]

Thanks blondguy...

Those few days away were good but I am exhausted again. Sleep patterns poor...been loaded with extra responsibility at work and am not coping. Trying to build some boundaries around me but Health is not an easy place to do this.Any suggestions welcomed!

[blondguy]

Hi Shred

Always a treat to see you despite the circumstances of course.

Quality of sleep can be effected by the responsibilities we have during the for sure. Just in my case (which was similar to yours) I spent years with crappy sleep after my management role. My doc eventually read me the riot act and gave me a small dosage of an anti anxiety med that I took every night.

The quality of sleep vastly improved and thus so did my performance at work too. I woke up refreshed and had all my energy

I did try all the various natural methods prior to the meds but the poor quality of sleep started to exacerbate my anxiety/depression which I shouldnt have let happen....even though I wasnt pro-meds (or my GP for that matter)

I hope you have a reasonable day today Shred

My Best as always

Paul

[Shred1106]

Cheers blondguy...am doing a little better. Refined my role at work on my insistence and the boss responded appropriately immediately, Have been doing the appropriate hours since then. Just finding it hard to navigate all the health issues surrounding me at present, and, there is a difficult anniversary coming up this Friday.

Just wish I felt consistently better. Sleep is improved a little but still not there entirely and have no energy.Looking into food allergies-have had blood and skin tests and I seem to have a reaction to a whole stack of things. Makes it more challenging!

Oh well - one foot in front of the other...

[blondguy]

Hey Shred

Good that you have been a bit better. Fatigue through sporadic sleep can really knock us around the next day for sure.

You have a great boss for being proactive. I wish I had a couple of those a few years ago!

When you go to sleep are you physically tired? I still sometimes go to bed without doing something physical during the day which always gives me a crappy sleep. Just putting it out there Shred

Kodus to you for covering all the bases and getting the allergy tests too.....we dont know if we dont have a go

I hope that your difficult anniversary is a somewhat peaceful one

My Best Shred

Paul

[Jadessy]

I have just started anti depressants as my gp said he would call a mental institute if I didn’t start taking them it was a bit harsh but it made me take them as I am very anti medication I hate them Andy I’ve had such a bad experience with them last year, these ones seem to be doing ok but it is still early days yet. I live in a country area so not many gps work down this way so i can’t really be fussy with who I want my gp to be it sucks badly but I don’t really have another option I am housebound Bec of such bad anxiety and don’t really know what else to do 😞

[Shred1106]

Thanks blondguy ...both for being here and your sage advice/suggestions!

The anniversary was extremely tough..

I am tired when I go to bed...and we have altered a few things with my GP in the last few days... I shall keep persisting though.

Yes, I am blessed to have a terrific employer who appreciates all of his team regardless of their position. It does help immensly!

My best to you!

[Shred1106]

Hi Jadessy

I too am in a small town and there are limited GPs. I would continue to give this new medication some time and leeway as you may need to make adjustments to dose etc. Can I ask if you are linked into a psychologist as well? Medication can help tremendously but often does not work alone, without Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or other things.

Give yourself some time.... be kind to yourself and patient! and vent here anytime you like! There is loads of support available!

Take care!

[blondguy]

Hey Shred 🙂

Your employer (boss) is a legend. I wish there were more employers around like you have!

Your persistence is a fine quality. Even though everyone's level of anxiety/depression is different I envy the mental strength you possess Shred...a lot.

Jadessy.....Shred always speaks from the heart and his advice is sound spot on accurate (thankyou Shred)

Thankyou Shred for being a part of the family here for so long

My Kind thoughts for you as always

Paul

[Shred1106]

Thanks blondguy

Wow, another year almost done. Still struggling with sleep pattern and jiggling medications. It's never a straight road, rather long and curvy at times. My psychologist is worried because I am "scattered" with my emotions at times but I will keep on at it.

My thoughts and friendship to all - we live in an ever changing world with differing demands being out on us almost on a daily basis, but we are here, trying our darndest to work through it all.

Happy New Year folks..woopty do...