New here... Going in circles with doctor...

[Scott1970]

Im male, 45, live in Brisbane.

Had terrible year in 2015, with personality change, unhappy, stressed when I have nothing to actually stress about, cant tolerate many people etc etc.. Went to a doctor, they did blood tests for a bunch of things, all clear, sent me to MRI scan, just some white marks on brain, which aren't MS apparently. So, i get referred to another doctor, who I explained whats going on, and how I felt, he just says " well, you dont seem depressed or have anxiety", and left it at that. Still feel terrible and not sure where to go next. What do you need to tell a doctor?

[blondguy]

Hello Scott1970

Welcome to the forums and thankyou for posting too!

It does appear that 2015 was not a good year for you Scott. I went through the same tests back in 1983 and I remember trying to figure everything out....it was an awful time. If I may ask you.....when you say that you still feel terrible..do you mean you are down all the time? Or are you having terrible sleeps?

I went through the family court in the 90's and I ended up a real mess after I realised that I took on way too much. It is good that you have had a doc say that you dont have depression or any anxiety..Thats good news..

If you can elaborate a little about what happened in 2015 (if you wish of course) and if you are happy with the support your GP is giving you at the moment. I have had depression since the late 90's and have had anxiety since 1983.

You are not on your own here Scott. It would be great to hear back from you. You are a intelligent and self aware person...I am sincerely sorry that you are in a dark place right now.

My Kindest Thoughts for you

Paul

[Scott1970]

Hey Paul,

Thanks for the message. When I say 'feel terrible', I mean nothing much seems nice to me, (except my dog), Im very negative, very irritable, terrible sleeping (can sleep a night, yet feel unrested), also, some irrational behaviour has happened...So, the frustrating thing is, I feel very down and feel depressed/anxious, yet the doctor says Im not, after I told him how I have felt for a year.

[lookingforme]

Hi Scott1970,

I just wonder, even though you mentioned that you have, would you consider changing your GP? On this website there is a list of GPs that are sensitive to mental health more than others, maybe you could give that a go? It's under the "Find a Professional" option in the "Get Support" tab.

I used this to change my GP. I only got help for my depression last year after having it for years, it would have been the at the end of 2014 but when I got up the courage to see a GP, she was not at all sensitive, told me to buck up and that just sent me into a downward spiral. Suffice it to say, it took some time to recover from that and find the courage to see a new one.

I'm not diagnosing you with depression or anything, I am saying, maybe it's worth considering, taking into account that you know that there is something wrong, that you have changed. I know what it's like to know something is wrong and to have it dismissed, because I wasn't really heard.

Joelle

[blondguy]

Hey Scott

Thanks for posting back. Your feelings sound like mine....and I am not saying you have depression at all. You have done well to seek help as you are very self aware in nature. As we speak right now If you can find a female GP and have a chat as most of the girls seem to actually 'listen' to what you have to say....and yes I have had female Gp's and now I have a crackerjack male Gp. Not that the sex of the GP really matters but its only from my experience that I speak from if thats okay.

Joelle's advice is also sound and heartfelt (above) It is a pain but the effort to find a GP that is depression 'literate' and can listen you is worth looking for Scott

Here for you Scott

My Kindest Thoughts

Paul

[Scott1970]

thanks Paul and Joelle...good suggestions, 🙂

I went back to my orignal GP, a female. Told her that all the MRI's, blood tests etc etc, have shown nothing (all done by the other Dr she referred me to at public hospital), she agreed there must be some anxiety/depression going on. She put me on antidepressants for a trial period of a few weeks. Im a bit anti=medication, but, Ill just see how that works.

[blondguy]

Hey Scott1970

Great news with the AD's...always a great way to have a platform on which you heal. I am still anti-meds even though I need them...Depression/anxiety is a physical illness as diabetes or high blood pressure is...I know am more grateful that the meds are there for us.

There may be side effects and if you have anything you want to talk about you are more than welcome to post!

Kind Thoughts

Paul