Depression Forums
Depression Related Forums => Depression Central => Topic started by: wolfinexile on July 15, 2012, 05:51:24 PM
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Hi everyone, first time post from a new member. I am here for advice on what to do really. I am unsure as to whether I have depression or not - I have done all the online tests (including NHS), which all point to some sort of depression. I've done plenty of research into it and I seem to match the majority of symptoms. I've never spoken to anyone really about this, as I live alone in a city where I don't know anyone except for few workmates.
I have been getting worse the last few weeks - moving from feeling down, guilty and bad about myself - to actually physically harming myself for some sort of relief - this has become a daily thing now. I'm losing sleep, lost over half a stone in just two weeks while eating very well, causing me to exclude friends and family from any form of contact, affecting my work, turning to alcohol just to get a break - just generally feeling pretty awful about everything
I thought I had depression a few years ago but my former doctor dismissed it and told me to leave - which has delayed my response in talking to a doctor now about it. I don't want to feel like I am wasting their time etc.
I just wanted to talk to someone about it and wondered what the next step is best for me - what would you recommend?
Thanks for reading and thanks for listening.
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What a shame a previous doctor treated you like that, I can understand your reluctance to seek help in that direction again but I would suggest getting an appointment with a GP and being very honest about your symptoms, especially the self harm
Z xx
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Hello and welcome, I agree, I think it is the best thing to make an appointment with your dr. If it helps jot down how you have been feeling, including the self harm, this way you will remember all you have to tell him/her. I always go to pieces in the dr's room.
S x x x x
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Hi Wolf, nice to meet you, welcome to the forum!
First of all your former doctor is a disgrace to his profession treating you like that. Did you make a complaint? But thankfully ones like that are rare these days so please don't be put off as it seems you seriously need medical attention. Can you get an appointment tomorrow maybe. Please don't think you will be wasting their time because you are not well and if you tell them everything that will do something.
All the best
Beet
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Hi guys.
Thanks for the replies, really appreciate it. I think I've just been scared about going to the GP after last time - he was my doctor for my university years and that was the only time I ever saw him. I do hope my new GP will be more understanding - the last thing I want is to be shunned again. I didn't make a complaint at the time, looking back I probably should've done.
I do hope to get an appointment ASAP - have only just registered with a new doc down here so I do hope they give me the time of day.
Didn't mention in my original message, I'm 23 and male- don't know if that effects severity/likeliness of depression at all?
Thanks for the kind words X
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Hi, the chances are you will get an understanding doctor. I know it is hard when depressed but it is easy to fall into a trap with GPs where they try to tell you it's probably nothing especially the first time you see them, so you have to try and be persistent. I was severely depressed and anxious at about your age (I'm 34 now) I went to my very nice GP and we had a chat and he referred me for counselling which could take over 6 weeks to begin. But I was in a state and needed help now, so I went back in a soon after and assertively asked for medication, I even told him what I would like, paroxetine. He did prescribe it eventually.
I hope you get to see someone soon.
Beet
PS I went to my GP just before xmas last year, because I was feeling bad, couldn't sleep etc and he said I had mild depression and ADs wouldn't be necessary. I told him I was already on 4 different meds. He hadn't read my notes and just went 'oh yeah, what would you like me to do then?'.
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I hope your GP listens properly and gives you the treatment you need, I know it can be difficult to be assertive when depressed but its really necessary if you feel you're not being taken seriously
Z x
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"my former doctor dismissed it and told me to leave" - good grief, you really should file a complaint and attempt to get him/her struck off, these kind of so-called GPs are a disgrace to the profession. Sadly there are quite a few about, and it can take a while to find a caring and understanding one, but they do exist. I tend to find female GPs far more understanding about depression and related illnesses, as SOME male ones will still tell you to pull yourself together. This also holds true for grief/bereavement as I found out after I lost my son.
So try and find a good female GP and go and see her - remember you can change doctors as often as you like until you find one you feel comfortable with and never be afraid to complain.
Good luck
Ducky
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I'm really sorry to hear about your past experience with your doctor, its understandable that you are finding it difficult to see help now after that. I do hope your new GP is more understanding and gets you the help you need xx
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Thanks again for the advice guys, my registration at the GP is taking longer than expected so won't get booked in until at least tomorrow. The sooner the better as work was just horrible today.
I don't know if there is any connection, but I developed an unbearable migraine at work today - last time this happened was also at a time I was feeling pretty low. Do you think there is a connection here? My only other thought is I may have brought it on myself with the self-harming - either way, it made my day absolute hell - I couldn't concentrate, read or even see properly. I didn't dream of asking to go home as 1) my boss doesn't understand/appreciate it and 2) I don't want to tell anyone about it (last thing I want is people asking if I'm OK every 5 minutes etc)
Thanks again, really appreciate it.
X
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I'm sure migraines can be brought on by stress :(
Z xx
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I agree I think so too, I suffered from terrible headaches when I had my breakdown :(.
Hope you manage to get registered with the dr tomorrow.
S x x x x
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Hey guys. Just to let you know, I've managed to get myself sorted with a doctor later today. Going to be a bit hard to talk about everything for the first time with a brand new doctor - any advice on how I should approach it?
Thanks again X
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Thats good to hear. I would just tell him/her exactly how you have been feeling and your thoughts. Maybe jot a few main points down so you can refer to these. I always seem to get into the room and my ind goes blank with worry/fear.
Hope it goes well.
S x x x x
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I agree with shaz, definitely write a few things down, its so easy to become dstressed and forget half the things you want to say.
Z xx
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Hey guys, quick update - went to see the GP and it went really well. She was incredibly understanding, talked me through everything and listened to everything I had to say - completely different to the last time. Was in there around half-an-hour and feel so much better for actually talking to someone about it. She encouraged me to talk to other people about it and they can help me along when things don't look so good. I have a review booked in for a few week's time, but she invited me to call her at any time if I was struggling again.
Just wanted to say thanks again for all the advice - really helped me along and pushed me to do the right thing in these last few days. It's a tough journey ahead I know, but the first few steps really do make all the difference.
X
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Thats really great to hear wolf _)_ xxx
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Hi and welcome. Glad it went well with your GP
Kate x
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That's great to hear. So glad it went ok. S x x x x
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Thanks guys :) Will keep you all in the loop on progress etc. Big step today though :) X
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:) first step in getting well. :). S x x x x
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A journey of a hundred miles starts with a small step and we'll be with you all the way xxx
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Hey guys. Things were going really well, but had another moment last night. Found the only way to feel better was to drink and get absolutely smashed. It's always when I'm on my own, but I've got nobody to turn to at times like that - so I just get drunk and get past it. Problem is, I wake up the next day and still feel
exactly the same - but with a horrible hangover to add to it.....
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As someone that was near alcoholic (probably an actual alcoholic) and used drink in the same way I know it doesnt help in the long run but its such an easy way to relieve pain/stress etc at the time %^% xx
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I don't drink much at all, but I can understand why people do. If it blocks out how we feel %^%. S x x x x
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Hey all. Managed to keep off the alcohol since hitting it hard on Saturday. But, really struggling at work now. I usually quite like my job, but it's fast turning into a real problem. I've started snapping at people, isolating myself and taking no interest in the work I'm doing. I'm in a management position and quite worried it's going to have a real detrimental effect. Any advice guys? Thanks as always X
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I know that feeling wolf, I strugged on with it for years and have at last realised I need to take a long break from work to recover from my depression
Z xx