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]

Paul, you're welcome. I get a huge amount of positive mental energy from reading other people's successful journey's and also reading excellent posts, which you and Shred have shared some tip top posts.

People with lived experience helping each other out - love it.

Mark.

[Shred1106]

Thanks Mark JT...

I think one of the most difficult concepts in dealing with all we do is feeling as though we are alone.In reality, through these forums, and in many other ways, we are not. We all walk a similar pathway, some with more curves than others, but, I believe in order to appreciate just how far we have come we need to acknowledge all of those twists and turns on the pathway.

Putting things in context is not easy - but, having a list to tick off before I go into hospital has made me look at what I am involved in with my family, my friends and my community. There's a lot of people around me and so many have made such a difference in my life - including you guys on these forums.

So, thank you folks for always being there!

[MarkJT]

Shred, really like how you said that you have to acknowledge all of the twists and turns along the journey. When i have told my story to people, so many have made remarks like, "Geez i bet you would like to forget that". My answer all the time is no way, I remind myself of the really dark times as this gives me the reminder that i must do everything i can do stay relatively healthy.

How did the surgery go?

Mark

[Shred1106]

Thanks MarkJT

Surgery is next Tuesday Mark. So, not yet....Still in the throws of getting organised..

Thanks for being here

[MarkJT]

Shred, ah sweet as. Don't forget to pack the phone charger!!

I know you won't but don't hesitate to jump on here and vent if you need to next week. Big week for you and have all the confidence in the world that you will do well, very well.

We'll be here ready and waiting if the need arises.

Mark.

[Shred1106]

Cheers buddy

[blondguy]

Hey Shred

Sending you our best for your recovery after your surgery last Tuesday

When comfortable let us know how you went 🙂

My Best. Paul

[MarkJT]

Shred, have to back up Paul's comments above. Keen to hear how you went and how you are going without the meds.

Cheers

Mark

[blondguy]

Thanks MarkJT

When you are up to it Shred I hope you can let us know how you are traveling

My Best for you. Paul

[Scott76]

Hey Paul,

Ive had two occasions where I've gone to my GP with depression concerns (different doc each time). Both were willing to try ADs and had a good understanding yet at the same time were more than willing to refer me to a psychiatrist if that was my desire. When after a few tries without perfect success I went to a psych he was impressed by the efforts of my gp and even seemed to know him by reputation as someone who knew what he was doing.