How to step up treatment?

[Evaporating Background]

I’m having a pretty severe round of mental illness at the moment. I’m seeing a psychologist regularly (about monthly), and I probably can’t make that more frequently.

I’ve been looking at getting back onto some mild non-SSRI antidepressants as soon as possible to try and relieve my symptoms, but I’m stuck for how to arrange a prescription. My Mental Health Plan was created by a GP who I don’t have much faith in (I went with them because they were the only one I could get into at short notice at the time), and they have pretty poor reviews on Google for this stuff. I see another GP sometimes who seems more receptive, but they aren’t the one who my plan is with.

Any suggestions for what I should do?

[Nurse_Jenn]

Hi Evaporating Background,

It is great to hear you are reaching out on the forums towards improving your mental health. I wonder if you have discussed starting an SSRi medication with your psychologist at one of your monthly appointments?

I think going to a GP with a plan that is in collaboration with your psychologist would be a good start. Your psychologist won’t be able to prescribe medications but definitely would have some experience with medications clients. Working on your mental health care plan with both a GP and psychologist is the ideal but it doesn’t always work this way.

As you would know from you taking SSRIs in the past they don’t work immediately and can take some time to get to a therapeutic level. A GP would work with you on finding the right dose and making sure that any side effects were managed. If you don’t trust the GP who created the mental health care plan with you - make another appointment to update your plan with a new GP - maybe there is another one at the same practice. Explain your predicament and they should work through a new plan with you. Having trust in your health practitioner is really important especially if you are starting a new medication.

I am a bit worried about your urgency to get started on medications and hope that if you are experiencing symptoms of low mood and depression you have some alternative strategies to manage. There are many supports you can try while waiting to see your GP or psychologist, and while you are waiting for a new medications effects.

Reaching out through the beyondblue forum is one way but other ways might be using a program like Moodgym or a mindfulness app called Smiling mind. Another way might be to call the beyondblue support line if you are feeling low to just have a chat.

You are already on a plan towards improving your wellness and this motivation is a really positive sign. I wish you the best at your new GP appointment and if they are not the right fit... keep trying. Sometimes a recommendation from a friend can be helpful.

Wishing you the best possible outcome,

Nurse Jenn