What Should I Say To My Gp
It’s not always easy to start a conversation about your personal feelings with your GP someone you may hardly know. And it can be especially hard when you’re not feeling well. But it’s usually the first step towards working out what kind of treatment and support might help you.
Here are some things to consider:
- Be honest and open.
- Focus on how you feel, rather than what diagnosis you might meet.
- Try to explain how you’ve been feeling over the past few months or weeks, and anything that has changed.
- Use words and descriptions that feel natural to you you don’t have to say specific things to get help.
- Try not to worry that your problem is too small or unimportant everyone deserves help and your doctor is there to support you.
Under 18? We have resources for you on how to get help and support
“Being as open and honest as possible, even though extremely difficult, is what has assisted me.”
Knowing When To Get Help For Depression
It can be difficult to tell the difference between common changes in your mood and chronic depression. Talking to your primary care doctor can help you sort that out.
The main thing to be aware of is how often you are feeling down or depressed. Overall, if you are generally functioning well and are usually happy or positive but feel down or overwhelmed in stressful or traumatic situations, theres probably no reason to worry. These are normal fluctuations in your mood.
But if feelings of sadness or hopelessness dominate your mood for more than two weeks and interfere with your daily activities, its time to seek care.
You can bring up your concerns during your annual wellness exam. But if there are several nagging issues that need to be addressed during that yearly visit, it may be better to make a separate appointment to talk about your mood.
If youre struggling or are worried that your mood is getting worse, dont wait until your annual visit. Make an appointment with your primary care doctor as soon as possible so you can start treatment and get back to feeling like your former happy self.
There Are Several Treatment Options They All Start With A Conversation
Talk about how you are feeling with your ob-gyn or primary care doctor. Your doctor may offer treatment options or refer you to a psychiatric specialist.
Treatment for anxiety and depression can involve medication and therapy. Medications can be taken even while pregnant and breastfeeding. You and your doctor should talk together about treatment options and the best path for you. Support groups and community resources may help too.
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How To Know If You Have Anxiety
Its that sinking in your stomach that feels like a heavyweight, the endless circle of troublesome thoughts and not forgetting that super-fast pumping heart rate. Perhaps this sounds all too familiar, extreme anxiety symptoms arent just present in our minds, but also show physical signs and can take their toll on your general health.
At some point or another, everyone experiences high anxiety symptoms in their lifetime. In fact, to some degree, its an expected and usual response to events such as changing jobs, moving house, or financial difficulties. If youre wondering how common it is, the World Health Organization estimates one in every 13 people worldwide experience anxiety. Its often explained as worrying about something that has not occurred yet, or something which may never happen, whereas depression is often linked to past events . The two are very different conditions and often overlap.
When anxiety symptoms start to take over and impact your day-to-day living, it could be symptomatic of an anxiety disorder. Its a good idea to understand your symptoms and where they are coming from so you can get on top of it. Anxiety can manifest itself in many different ways, but keep your eyes peeled for these six key signs.
Sleep Disturbances And Fatigue
How Can I Take Care Of Myself
Once you begin treatment, you should gradually start to feel better. Go easy on yourself during this time. Try to do things you used to enjoy. Even if you dont feel like doing them, they can improve your mood. Other things that may help:
- Try to get some physical activity. Just 30 minutes a day of walking can boost mood.
- Try to maintain a regular bedtime and wake-up time.
- Eat regular, healthy meals.
- Do what you can as you can. Decide what must get done and what can wait.
- Try to connect with other people, and talk with people you trust about how you are feeling.
- Postpone important life decisions until you feel better.
- Avoid using alcohol, nicotine, or drugs, including medications not prescribed for you.
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In this day and age, hitting on a man is totally normal, but that doesn’t mean its an easy feat for everyone. From misreading the signals to feeling like you are making a fool out of yourself there are lots of reasons that hold us back from sealing the deal with our crush. Weve put together some very effective tips on how to flirt and land the man of your dreams. So, what if you just went for it and put the moves on him? Plus, here are the signs that a man is flirting with you!
Maybe I Am Beyond Help
If they brush you off, dont listen, or in any way belittle you? You have the right to see another doctor. It can feel really overwhelming if we are already depressed and anxious and having to deal with this. Our first instinct can be to go home, cry, and assume we are beyond help or that we are hopeless.
You are not. Doctors are people and are not perfect. And while some are wonderful, some are not. Like all professions, you get varying levels of competence. If you dont have the courage to call up and ask to see someone else, see if a friend or partner can call for you. Ask if there is a doctor available who specialises in mental health in case that is an option.
Want to talk to a GP who knows about mental health? We now offer a specialist GP service. Or why not book private therapy directly? Our online booking platform provides therapists for every budget.
Still have a question about how to talk to your doctor about anxiety and depression? Post below.
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Not Sure What To Do Next
If you or someone you know are finding it difficult to manage mental health issues, try healthdirects Symptom Checker and get advice on when to seek professional help.
The Symptom Checker guides you to the next appropriate healthcare steps, whether its self care, talking to a health professional, going to a hospital or calling triple zero .
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Learning To Watch For Symptoms Is Key
Mental health changes are very common during and after pregnancy. One in five pregnant or postpartum women experience depression, anxiety, or scary thoughts. It helps to understand what signs to look out for.
People with anxiety may often feel worried about everyday situations. They may have racing thoughts and a feeling that something very bad is about to happen. They may experience trembling, tense muscles, sweating, and nausea.
People with depression may feel sad and lose their interest and enjoyment in daily activities. They may feel hopeless, worthless, lose motivation, and think about wanting to die or hurt themselves.
Both anxiety and depression can cause irritability, trouble sleeping, and poor concentration.
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Tip #: Dont Expect The Doctor To Read Your Mind
Even a doctor who has seen the same patient for many years may miss the symptoms of mental illness, especially if he or she is focused on other conditions and concerns. Thats not to say that doctors never sense a problem and ask about it in fact, they frequently do. As depression becomes a more commonly-discussed topic in primary care and family medicine , more and more doctors regularly screen for it. But dont assume it will come up prepare to bring it up.
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Sticking With Your Treatment Plan
Once you’ve arrived at a treatment plan that works, it’s important to stick with it. For many treatments, this means continuing treatment even when you start to feel better.
Suddenly stopping a medication like an antidepressant can cause uncomfortable side effects. If you want to stop taking the medication, your doctor can help you taper your doses slowly to make sure you continue to feel well.
If your treatment plan no longer works for you, have an honest discussion with your health care professional. Your doctor can help you re-evaluate your treatment plan and move to a different strategy safely.
You Feel Exhausted And Find It Hard To Get Out Of Bed In The Morning
Depression may start off seemingly as innocuous, as a few bouts of fatigue. This isnt simply being tired as most people normally are just as they wake up, but a feeling that you are physically unable to get up. People may start having trouble waking up and staying alert in the morning. They may remain sleepy and exhausted throughout the rest of the day.
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You’re Sleeping Too Much Or Too Little
Some people with depression find themselves sleeping more the disengagement and dip in energy make you tired all the time.
“Sleeping more is also a way depressed people escape from their sadness it becomes a refuge,” said Thomas.
Others with depression experience restless or interrupted sleep or even insomniathey’re too wired by obsessive thoughts or ruminations to wind down and score the seven to eight hours per night most adults need.
Sleep changes can help you know if you’re depressed but also worsen the depression. When you’re not getting the proper amount of shuteye, your body’s internal clock gets out of sync, and you’re even more tired and unfocusedand less able to cope.
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Dr. Weitzer urges patients to think holistically, encouraging them to stay connected to loved ones, throw themselves into a new hobby, and eat a healthy diet that is rich in fresh produce and low in sugar. She recommends maintaining an exercise routine and good sleep hygiene.
Dont be afraid to start the conversation with your primary care physician, says Dr. Weitzer. Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders, fortunately, there effective treatment strategies available. With a physicians guidance, a patient can find the right combination of lifestyle changes and medication for an improved quality of life.
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The Healing Power Of Yoga
Antidepressants take some time to reach their full potential, which is usually about 4 to 6 weeks. A patient needs to give informed, verbal consent that they understand this type of medication wont operate like an antibiotic, Dr. Garbely states. Fortunately, the benefits of therapy are more immediate.
How Long Will I Need Medicine
How long youll need to take the medicine depends on your depression. Your doctor may want you to take medicine for six months or longer. You need to take the medicine long enough to reduce the chance that the depression will come back. Talk with your doctor about any questions you have about your medicine.
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Seek Help As Soon As Possible
Not really sure if youre suffering from depression, so youre waiting before you see your GP? You shouldnt delay it. The sooner you talk about your unhappiness, the sooner youll have a diagnosis and your treatment will be quicker and easier. When you make your appointment, ask your doctor to give you more time to talk. This way, you wont feel rushed. Finally, its important that your doctor understands how you feel. Talk about the impact on your daily life with your partner, your children, at work, cry if it makes you feel better, etc. In short, give them all the information they need to make a sound diagnosis.
Difficulty Concentrating Remembering And Making Decisions
Depression can interfere with a persons cognitive abilities. They may have trouble focusing or concentrating on personal or professional matters. Additionally, they may find it difficult to make decisions, even those involving seemingly minor, everyday choices.
People with depression may also find that they cannot remember things as well as they did previously. They might forget appointments or commitments and not recall things that they said or did recently.
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Where Can I Find Clinical Trials For Depression
Clinical trials are research studies that look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat diseases and conditions. Although individuals may benefit from being part of a clinical trial, participants should be aware that the primary purpose of a clinical trial is to gain new scientific knowledge so others may receive better help in the future.
Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health and around the country conduct many studies with patients and healthy volunteers. Talk to your health care provider about clinical trials, their benefits and risks, and whether one is right for you. For more information, visit NIMH’s clinical trials information.
How Can I Help The Doctor Make A Proper Diagnosis
Before your appointment, write down your concerns about depression and specific symptoms of depression you might have. Itâs also helpful to get an in-depth family history from relatives before meeting with your doctor. This information can help the doctor make an accurate diagnosis and ensure effective treatment. Before your visit, think about and write down:
- Your mental and physical health concerns
- Symptoms you’ve noticed
- Causes of stress in your life
- Questions you have about depression and depression medications
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Depression: Are You Honest With Your Doctor
When you’re depressed, everything can seem difficult — getting out of bed, going to work, even talking with your doctor or psychiatrist. You may not be sure how depression treatment — or anything — can possibly make you feel better. Can talking about how you’re feeling really help? And if you take medication, will it make a difference?
“There is no question that psychotherapy and medications work for depression and anxiety,” says George Papakostas, MD, associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School in Boston. But for treatment to work effectively, doctors and patients need to communicate openly, he says. If you hide your symptoms or don’t take your medication as directed, it makes it harder for your doctor to help you.
Are you being as honest and open as you can be? If not, why not? Learn some of the barriers to open communication — and what you can do to overcome them.
What If It All Goes Wrong
If your doctor tells you to just get rest, or tries to brush you off with a prescription for a low dose of medication, when you really want to speak to a therapist? Then the broken record technique can come in handy. Just calmly but firmly keep repeating that youd really like to talk to someone.
- thank you, but Id really like to have a referral to talk to someone
- I understand there is a wait list, Id still prefer to be referred to a therapist
- I appreciate what you are saying, but Id still really like to be referred for therapy.
And its okay to think tactically. Its your health andwellbeing at stake, after all! If they insist you take a prescription for meds, and it seems that if you walk out with the prescription they might then give you a referral as well? You do not have to then fill the prescription or take the meds. Its your body and your choice.
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Small Things Agitate You
It’s a sneaky sign few people recognize: Depression can show up as heightened irritability, said Jennifer Wolkin, PhD, a New York-based health psychologist.
You might feel grumpy little things that normally wouldn’t register set you off and leave you snapping at friends and coworkers. It could also be triggered by the weight of so many heavy emotions.
“When people are in physical pain, they often get angry and irritated easily, and it’s the same with psychological painyou don’t feel good or like your usual self, and that saps your patience and puts you more on edge,” said Thomas.
You’re Dealing With Unexplained Aches And Pains
“Emotional pain from depression that you aren’t getting help for can be channeled throughout your body and show up as physical ailments, like headaches, stomach problems, neck and back pain, even nausea,” said Thomas. “I see this with many of my patients they’re holding so much sadness and distress inside, these feelings end up playing out in other ways.”
Not every cramp or twinge is a sign that you are depressed, of course. If you have a chronic ailment you can’t attribute to another cause that isn’t clearing up on its own, “see a healthcare provider to get it checked out, but also consider it a possible sign of depression too,” said Thomas.
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