Did getting diagnosed help or did it make it worse?

[jords22]

Hi everyone,

I have this friend who feels she is suffering from depression. From research we have done she does tick most of the boxes which would label her depressed. I have suggested many times that she goes to a doctor to get checked out but I think she is scared. I was just wondering if you guys found that once you were clinically diagnosed as depressed did that help you or make it worse?

[MarkJT]

Jords, welcome to the forums and you have come to the right place to seek some advice as we are pretty much all mental health condition sufferers.

In short, your friend absolutely needs to get to the GP and seek out some treatment.

For me, getting a PTSD, depression and anxiety diagnoses was very comforting as I then knew exactly what was happening to me and I could get myself onto the road to recovery.

It is impossible to treat something if you do not know what you are treating.

Get her to the GP and if she is diagnosed with depression, she will obtain a mental health plan and may get a referral to a psych. Let the healing begin.

Please let her know that even if she does get a diagnoses, she can still lead a fully functioning life.

Do not hesitate to ask more questions if need be - more than happy to discuss it.

Mark.

[azarrah]

Hey Jords,

First off, thanks for being a great friend! She is very likely to be scared - it took me about 3 months to go to a GP. Whether or not it helps or makes her feel worse

As for your question: it will probably do a bit of both. I was "offically" diagnosed a few days ago, and it is a bit of a rollercoaster at first. She'll be relieved, and possibly find talking to someone who understands the medical side of things comforting. On the other hand, she might be disappointed or worried that now she has to face her troubles head-on. Remember that she's already confided in you, which shows she's recognised that she has a problem - which is the first step to recovery already!

The best news is that in the long run, it will help her to feel better. She'll finally be able to get the treatment that she needs, and perhaps some closure to the way she's been feeling. Mental health problems are treatable and manageable with outside help, and she will most likely be able to lead a fully functioning and satisfying, productive life, even with a diagnosis. The diagnosis is just a representation of problems you're having anyway. Please encourage her not to shy away from seeking help on the basis of not wanting to be officially diagnosed.

If it helps, I approached my appointment not with seeking a diagnosis at all, and just hoping for some help. Doctors know that diagnoses can be disheartening; they often use terms like "low mood" and "stress" rather than "depression" and "anxiety". A good GP trained in mental health will be clear, but gentle. They won't beat about the bush, but they will use a soft bat 😛

One last thing: your friend may not want to see a GP right away, as this has very medical connotations and can be a bit scary to face. Speaking to a counsellor or school psychologist (depending on how good they are - some are shocking) could be an easier option for her to handle. Try suggesting that she go for some tips or advice about how she's been feeling. The counsellor may tell her to see a GP anyway, but at least it's an easier "entry point".

You're an awesome friend already, and if you're willing to do more, you could offer to be with her when she books the appointment, or to walk with her to the office. She might find that comforting, but be afraid to ask. Don't be offended if she turns you down, though!

[azarrah]

I'm sorry to double post, but I just stumbled across this as I was looking for something else and I thought it would be useful for you and your friend.

For your friend: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/have-the-conversation/talk-about-it - about how to approach talking about your feelings, which could be holding her back. It has some useful phrases for if she does make an appointment, as well.

And here is the BeyondBlue advice for speaking to someone with MI who doesn't want to see a professional:

Try to understand that it can take time for people to be ready to talk to a professional. You may not agree but respect their decision. Reassure them that they are not alone and plant the seed that professional support is available when they are ready. Discuss with the person what the barriers are for them, and whether there is any way you can help, such as taking them to the appointment, or finding a health professional they click with. Keep in touch. Don’t make your support conditional on them seeing a health professional.

I'm sure you're doing most of this already, but just in case it helps you further 🙂