can i see a regular doctor for my depression and anxiety?

Question

i went to the only mental health clinic in my vicinity and they didn't help me. they caused my anxiety to get worse.

at the mental health clinic they didn't seem to care about me. they didn't understand me.

Answer 1

Yes you can, but ask your doctor for a referral to a psychiatrist or a psychologist.

Answer 2

That is a horrible story about your previous doctor. Fortunately, they are not all morons like this guy is. You may have a totally different experience with the new doctor. In recent years, there has been a growing acknowledgment about depression and anxiety, especially in the medical community. If necessary, just tell your next doctor that you want a referral to a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists have much more knowledge about mental problems and medications than general practitioners do. Having said all that, I really suggest you have a consultation with a psychologist or licensed therapist before seeing a shrink. A therapist can give you some direction and new ways of thinking/feeling for how to overcome your problems. You may or may not need medication. I speak from personal experience with major depression and anxiety when I say that exercise, a good diet, alternative health methods and/or therapy can help depression and anxiety, sometimes enormously. The trouble with seeing a psychiatrist is that they usually feel that everything can be fixed with pills, pills, pills. I suggest using meds only if more natural treatments don't help at all. I take some medication, so I am not opposed to it when necessary. Research shows that medication plus therapy generally works better than pills alone or therapy alone.

Answer 3

Yes you can visit your regular doctor for these things. However, please be aware that more than likely your doctor will be viewing your situation from a medical standpoint and will reach for the antidepressants/antianxiety medications first. This may help you get over the hump, but is not always a most beneficial long term solution. On the other hand, if you have been seeing your doctor for a long time he or she may have enough insight into your life to know a better mental health clinic to refer you to.
One final note- sometimes you feel your symptoms worsening long before they improve. My advice is to see your doctor and continue visiting the clinic- in the long run they will have better resources for you. Your emotions will only be able to become fully balanced after some therapy and some good insight.

Answer 4

here's the scoop. yes you could see your regular doctor for depression and anxiety but here is the problem with that. Most regular docs are not trained to treat these conditions and are doing based upon advise from the drug company detail people who want them to prescribe these medications so they make money. Medications to treat depression and anxiety are nothing to play with. that is what got Prozac such a bad name early on when it came out. it wasn't the drug but people who were not psychiatrists were prescribing it with disastrous results. These meds need careful monitoring and adjusting by a trained person who can evaluate their effect and has the experience to do so. Would you want your dentist doing open heart surgery on you? If you didn't like the treatment at thee local mental health center see if they can give you a referral to a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner in your area. you may have to travel a bit but good care is Worth it . Would you go to Wall mart if you had cancer ?

Answer 5

For depression, you need a prescription from a mental health professional, after which your primary care physician can prescribe refills. I went to a therapist too, and she was not helpful at ~all~! I would recommend you talk to other people in your area who have had anxiety and depression like you, and see if they know of any decent psychiatrists.

Answer 6

You can. Just realize he may not know much about it. You might ask him for a referral somewhere even if you have to drive some to get there. (unless you have problems driving- ) And of course, if you're stable and just need someone to continue treatment that works he can certainly write prescriptions.

I will give you an example that does give one pause to think twice, though. My medical doctor has never been hesitant to write prescriptions for 30 or even 90 restoril for my sleep. While when it was written at mental health they never, ever gave me more then 3 at any one time. They knew I had suicidal thoughts and my medical doctor never once thought to ask about that.

Answer 7

Some general practitioners can assess and deal with mental health problems on their own, as long as the patient and doctor want to work together on this. I have chronic depression and anxiety and my family physician handles all of my treatments, including any medication reviews.

Answer 8

a medical doctor can prescribe antidepressants but they are not knowledgeable in the proper dosage, when takeing antidepressants, antianxiety medication it is a hit or miss. it must be adjusted to the proper amount for you and only a psychaiatrist can do this. You must also seek a professional psychotherapist professionally trained in mental health issues.

Answer 9

It depends on the doctor. But usually your regular doctor will refer you to a specialist who is specifically trained and educated to treat depression. It is better to go to a specialist than to someone who doesnt know much about the problem, because if they prescribe you medicine, it is very important to get the right one. So a specialist would be better suited for this task. Good luck!

Answer 10

Yes, but they will not be specialists in the field. Best bet is to see a normal doctor and get referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist.