Scared to go to my GP and ask for anti-depressants

[SadLoser]

What the title says.

I want to go to my general practitioner and basically tell him about my constant, never-ending low moods, my inability to focus on any task, my social anxiety that i'm increasingly trying to mask with alcohol, but i'm really nervous.
Going in and saying I have a sore throat or my eye hurts is easy, but telling anyone that i'm basically just sad is a different story.
How does it even work?
Anyone want to share their experience? It would be appreciated.

 

[SecretDissociation]

I told my GP that I felt like ending it all and that I couldn't live like this over many appointments, eventually they gave me anti-depressants. If you have a good GP, they'll give it to you straight away rather than gaslighting or ignoring you. Tell them exactly what you typed up here. Tell them you'd like to try medication, something that might make you feeling less-low and down. Definitely tell them about the alcohol, they might even refer you to talking therapy first and advise you to cut down on alcohol (alcohol can affect anti-depressants and interact with them). If you'd like, you can write your symptoms/what you're feeling on a piece of paper and read it out or give it to them.

I promise, GP's see and hear many many things daily, and they are there to listen and help and won't judge or shame you.

If you are prescribed meds, the GP will tell you it takes 2-3, or 4-6 weeks to work (many doctors say different things, and they will tell you to come back to them if you don't see an improvement in your mood/concentration/behaviour), they will also tell you to come back if symptoms get worse. And you can try many forms of anti-depressants (some may need psychatric input).

 

[TBONTB]

Your GP probably hears this discussion many times a day. Anti-depressants are very common, at least as common as ear infections! Still, I understand the reluctance to share personal details. When I first saw my GP about depression I told them I didn't feel like myself, I couldn't enjoy anything, and I felt I was depressed and would like to try medication. They will probably want to have you pursue both medications and talk therapy, because I believe tests show the combo is most effective. As to the alcohol, I agree with other party that this is a good one to try to treat....it can make your depression worse. Relief in the moment, but overall often causes more pain. So if you are open to medical advice or to 12 step, might be worth trying.

 

[treestumpisland]

or try to find a gp that has training/education/experience in mental health. my gp gave me anti-depressangts and anti-anxiety meds no problem at all. she's better than any mental health expert i've had, to be honest. be warned that there are some they can prescribe, but some others they might not be able to, it would have to be a psychologist or whatever. but if it's general or first-time antidepressants, most gp's can prescribe alot. just find one you're confortable talking baout mental health with because i've had a few gp's i would've never gotten into that with them. so just a matter of finding someone you're comfortable with asking about that, personality, education-wise. they're up to date on mental health education, etc, not outdated, not stingy or whatever.

think about if it's possible your doctor is understanding of/educated in mental health meds, etc, or if not, maybe find a mental health nurse or psychologist to get mental health meds if you can't find a gp who's understanding of mental health.
i don't mean to downplay your reluctance or anything, i get it, i'm just saying, most gp's are up to prescribing mental health meds they're allowed to prescribe.

 

[SignatureRequired]

General depression and anxiety is something that is seen a lot in the health system. If you voice your concerns to a GP, it's likely you'll walk out on the day with a script in hand. As long as you don't mention you're suicidal, or otherwise likely to harm yourself/others, it'll be a quick conversation.

If he or she isn't willing to prescribe to you, then there will be someone close by that will. Anti-depressants, most often in the form of SSRIs, are very common and a lot of people take them.

 

[GeminiButter]

This is very common and very normal- GPs will hear it regularly and nothing you're saying will be new or unusual to them.

When I'm stressed about a GP appointment I usually write down what I want to say on my phone or paper and bring it with me so I can make sure that they get the information I want to share, and I don't have to think about it too much, especially if I'm anxious. That always helps and often works, especially cos it means you can spend a bit more time prepping in advance to think about what you might want out of the appointment.

It depends where you live but if you're in the UK you can usually do a self referral to some talking therapies, and in my experience they can often be more successful when you're able to get a bit more stabilised on an anti depressant that works for you.

Good luck, let us know how you get on you can do this!

 

[Forveleth]

I did a little bit of research ahead of time, to have a list of symptoms prepared. That way I told my GP, I think I have depression, and then could list off the reasons why I thought that. I had also done a little bit of research into the most commonly prescribed antidepressants so that we could discuss them.

Remember, your GP is not there to judge you. Your GP is there to help you be a healthy person, both physically and mentally. Most modern GPs know that mental health is just as important as treating the physical and most are at least somewhat aware of depression and anxiety and can get you at least a first round drug to try to see if it helps. They could then possibly also refer you to a therapist.

Definitely go talk to your GP about it and do not worry about any judgement.