hello & help

[BigDaddyOh]

Hello to everyone.
A friend has suggested I see my GP asap. I have been deteriorating over the last two years, to the point where I score extremely high on a number of online depression tests. I always quessed I had some form of depression, but have never been this low.
My question is, how do i approach the subject with my GP? Outwardly, nobody would believe I am struggling. I maintain a very professional and "responsible" attitude at work and home (I am a single parent father of a 12 year old); if I don't, too many other people would suffer.
I need to do something soon. thank you.

[Buttercup]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

[KateG]

Hi and welcome. People sometimes find that writing down how you feel and taking it with you to your GP often helps

Kate x

[Sweetpea]

Hello and welcome to the forum,

A lot of us put on a face and try to carry on as if we are ok, its normally the strong people that suffer with depression.

I agree with Kate maybe writing down how you have been feeling, so you have this when you go and see your gp.  You are not alone, many people suffer with depression and others have no idea how they are feeling inside.  Your gp will be understanding I am sure.  When I had my last episode my dr said I was the fifth person in just 2 days he had seen suffering with depression.

S x x

[Zaf]

I agree, write down how you feel and go to see your GP, tell him how you feel and if necessary give him the notes - sometimes just the act of writing it down helps get it straight in your mind what you want to say without needing to show them to the ic

Z xx

[Simon123]

Hi, welcome to the forum, I have found its really helped just being here.

I found the first visit to the Dr's the hardest but was so relieved when I went through with it.  I have been on meds on and off for 4 years now and wonder why I didn't have them years before.  Those around you will reap the benefits as well as you.  Be honest as you can with the GP (I hold back on info regarding self harm in past and thoughts of violence towards others but open up to everything else including suicidal thoughts but that is my preference) so they can treat you in the best way possible.  The first GP I saw went out of her way to make sure I was improving regularly.  I have never had to tell my work as the meds took effect quick enough to not cause a problem (either that or they are very tolerent :-) ).

I agree writing it down would be good because you are bound to forget something and it can be very hard to talk about depression with someone you may not know too well.

The other thing I would say is book the appointment as soon as you can and don't let the clouds stop you from turning up.  If you can get your friend to help you on the day all the better.

Hope your smiling soon :-)

[BigDaddyOh]

Thank you all very much. I never thought about writing it all down. I think that would help a great deal. All I need do now is find the courage to go and see my GP. My head feels very heavy, just at the thought of it. But, i'm am a realist and know that i do need to go.
thank you all again.

[Sweetpea]

I hope you get on ok at the dr's.

Take care

S x x 

[Ruth]

Good luck seeing your GP. It's a difficult thing to do but I agree with Simon, just having it all out and knowing that you are taking a step to get better can be a huge relief. Take care. X.

[Zaf]

Well done for considering that important first step, its not easy but it is necassary

Z xx

[Ohdaddy]

I did this recently.

I had long suspected that I had suffered with depression most of my adult life on and off.  But in the last few years some work and relationship crisis had sent me down into a dark place and have cost me at least my job.   I went to the GP feeling foolish, that I just had to pull myself together and knuckle down. I told her straight what I suspected and how the latest long bout started a few years ago and she asked me questions about how I felt and confirmed my suspicians. She put me on fluoxatine (prozac) immediatley and put me on the waiting list for talking therapy as well. She said she sees about 10 people a week with depression and it is part of the human condition.

If you have not done so already go and see your GP and tell the truth. After 3 weeks I am starting to feel better and I even found myself laughing the other day for the first time in months.