GP's?

[MaiiBear]

I made a forum and I had someone very nice suggest seeing a GP for anxiety/depression. Today I had a good day but I know it'll go downhill again eventually so I'm going to ask now in case I back out later. First of all, how do you (or how did you) ask about seeing one or explain what was going on? And what happens when you go? I wanted to know what options they usually give you as well because I really don't know what to expect. Thank you

[White_Rose]

Hello MaiiBear

Welcome to Beyond Blue. If you do not have a regular GP, or want to change, You can search for a practice near you by looking under The Facts above and click on Find a Professional. Although it doesn't say so, the first box is the one to click to find a GP by navigating through the various options. This will give names and addresses which is a good start. Take note of a couple of the practices and ask around family and friends if they have attended these particular doctors. Or simply ask others if they can recommend a doctor.

Failing that, you can pick out a doctor from the list and make an appointment, go and see that doctor and decide if you feel comfortable. I expect you will find some practices are not accepting new patients as they are flat out managing their current list. You may need to go searching. Some doctors will bulk-bill patients but you can ask that when you make an appointment. Ask how much the fee is and what Medicare refund. I presume you have a Medicare card, if not you need to get one. Ask for a long consultation so you have time to ask all your questions.

Starting the conversation can be difficult. GPs generally try to make their patients comfortable. You will probably have filled out a form with your contact details and possibly asked if you have any ongoing conditions or allergies. Of course the most common question from a GP is, "How can I help you". If you find it difficult to explain I suggest to you make a dot point list of everything you want to say. How long have you felt depressed/anxious, how does it feel, are you taking any medication.

Once you have discussed your issues the GP will either give you a diagnosis, send you for some tests, or simply ask you to come back for further discussion. You may be offered antidepressant medication or a suggestion to see a specialist of some sort. Possibly a psychologist. This is by no means certain, especially on your first visit. Your GP will want to get to know you better, so unless you present with huge symptoms I think you will have other appointments.

If we are speaking of depression or anxiety only some of the options are as I have said above; medication and/or a referral to someone else. But this is in no manner necessarily so. I was offered ADs but my GP was happy for me to talk to her rather than go elsewhere. It really is not possible to predict exactly what will happen because I am not a doctor. I hope you find a GP and come and tell us how it went.

Mary

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi MaiiBear,

Thanks for your post.

This is a great question and every GP can be a little bit different so I'm going to break it down

First of all, how do you (or how did you) ask about seeing one or explain what was going on?

For me personally, I'd been seeing my GP for a while so I already knew them and felt comfortable with them. I said that I wanted a referral to see the psychologist. I knew the one I wanted to see because she worked in the same building so that was lucky! But otherwise I would have just said I wanted to see one.

You can also asked to be referred to a male/female.

It's always good to talk and ask a GP that you feel comfortable with. Some people even like to bring a friend in or some notes.

And what happens when you go?

Most GP's just ask how you've been going and what's been going on for you. You can answer as much or as little as you like or you can choose not to answer at all if it's too hard.

Often they get you to fill out a little survey that looks like this -

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety-and-depression-checklist-k10

As you can see it's pretty broad but it allows them to see where you're at and help the psychologist too.

I wanted to know what options they usually give you as well because I really don't know what to expect.

Options can vary a little since no GP is the same.

Mary / White Rose mentioned a few although I haven't personally heard of anyone needing tests. Some Doctors can go straight for a Medication where as others may go for a referral to see the psychologist. Some may want to do both. Either way, that's your choice and you don't have to take medication if you don't want to.

Depending on your age they may also suggest something else that's nearby - like headspace is for young people so they may recommend you go there instead of a psychologist. This also depends on your situation too - so if you're feeling unsafe then they might suggest something else.

Hope this answers your questions! Feel free to message again if you have more or let us know how it goes.

[MaiiBear]

Thank you for your reply and I'm so very sorry I've left this until three months later. I did end up talking to somebody but it didn't turn out well like I'd hoped and I thought it would probably just be better to keep things to myself. I don't want to end up accidentally discouraging anybody else because it's probably because it's my own personal experience.

By the sounds of it, the person I met didn't seem to have enough time. Postponed for a month, given less than five minutes to fill a sheet asking me explicitly if I had depression or anxiety (which I came to see if I had, not to self-diagnose) and was cut off whenever I tried to explain my own experiences. I had to get a blood test and I had a panic attack, halfway through I fainted from blood loss (unrelated, but supposedly "because I am not eating enough" by what the person who took my blood said). In the end, I came back a while later, she told me I wasn't that bad and she left it as "worrying too much about future, not getting enough sleep". I'm not worried about my future and I get 8 hours, more than a lot of people. I felt like she was directing everything towards some type of physical illness or tiny problem that makes no sense.

Either way, at least I tried. I'm just not good at speaking up in person and I think I'm too self-aware at times.

[MsPurple]

HI MaiiBear.

Thanks for coming back to check in on the forums. I know I didn't respond initially but I love it when I see people come back to their post to check in.

Sorry you didn't have the greatest experience with the GP you saw. I have had a few experiences where I haven't liked a gp I have seen (althought not always for mental health issues). I recently found a recently found a really good GP and I'll give you some tips on how to maybe find one that clicks with you (note these are from my experiences not a wide hints and tips)

1. Look up your local GP clinics. I find if you have to travel too far to go to a GP you are not likely to go back or often enough.

2. If you have found a few local GP clinics you would consider going to go onto their website and look up their services. Sometimes you want to make sure the vibe of the place makes you feel comfortable

3. Some websites have a bio on each GP. For me I looked to see if someone had an interest in mental health. My GP had an interest in LGBT+ health. I thought this would work for me as I know practitioners with this as an interest are open minded and easy for me to connect with.

Unfortunately not all GPs that you can easily connect with are bulk billing. I have to pay some out of pocket for my GP but she is really lovely and she also manages my mental health. I also found it easier to discuss my mental health by calling reception and asking if I could see dr x for a mental health plan. I have also asked reception which dr they would recommend in their practice for mental health. I went to the same clinic as my mum when I lived with her for a year, and my mental health plan needed to be re done, but I didn't want the same GP, mum found me a great dr by asking for a recommendation. You can only get one mental health plan made in a year. If the dr you didn't connect with made one up for you, maybe take that to another GP and say you are wanting to discuss mental health as you felt like you didn't really get a clear grasp on what it was and how it is affecting you. It is ok to ask your GP questions. Just maybe book a longer appointment.

Hope some of this advice helps. It does take time to find one that connects with you and you feel like you can open up to.

MP

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi MaiiBear,

Thanks for your post and I appreciate the update.

I'm so sorry it didn't work out for you. I feel so frustrated that your GP couldn't give you the time of day. I think most GP's don't realise that you don't even have to have a diagnosis or have anything 'wrong' to see a psychologist. It's frustrating she dismissed you like that even though I know people have had the same experiences.

Completely agree with MsPurple in her suggestions and I don't really feel like I have much to add. Perhaps there is someone who can come with you to the appointment to help advocate for you?

I hope that you'll be open to seeing another GP; there really are some wonderful ones out there who will listen and respect you.

[White_Rose]

Hello MaiiBear

How are you going? I am sorry your first experience was so poor. Most GP's are pretty good. As the ladies above have said, try another GP. It can be a hit or miss process I know. I think I would have found someone else when the appointment was deferred for a month. It's always bad sign, especially when it's a GP.

It's not a good idea to keep your feelings to yourself as we brood on these things and often the thoughts get turned into monsters, and pretty prickly ones at that. As I said above, make a list of what is happening to you. This helps to get over the consultation nerves. Always difficult when seeing a health professional for the first time.

If finance is a problem seeing a counsellor then remember there are other options. There are a number of organisations who offer low or no cost. See what the doctor has to say first. Keep talking to us.

Mary