Where do you go, and what do you say?

Question

I have been advised by a few people to go and see someone, because I have been really low for quite a bit. I assume the place to go is just the doctors, but I don't know what to say or anything.

Can someone please give me some advice,

Answer 1

well, first off...go to your doctor to report this as you could have depression. Unfortunately, doctor's don't always treat the cause, they just want to mask the symptoms...so they'll put you on anti-depressants....it's not a bad thing, but you should also insist on getting referred to a social worker, or psychiatrist, or something of the sort (as if it's prescribed, then your insurance should pay for it).

Next, when you go see the social worker (or whatever you may go see), just say what's going on...usually they'll ask you questions...eventually you'll be spilling the beans on what's going on in your life to make you feel so down in the dumps.

I am sorry to hear you're feeling this way but with a little help, you'll be back on your feet again :)
merlin the cat

Answer 2

Your best resource would be the local urgent care or emergency room. I've been told the same thing before and I went to the emergency room and what they do is take your vitals, ask some questions and such. Then the doctor on duty (probably not a psychiatrist) will meet with you to make sure that you are medically healthy and that it isn't a medical reason for your depression. He may ask for a blood test and/or a urine test depending on what his findings result in and your past medical history. Following this (again depending on what you tell him/he finds), you will either meet with a psychiatrist or a psychiatric nurse (a nurse who has gone for extra schooling to be able to work specifically with people suffering from some form of mental illness) - where they will ask you another series of questions and try to establish why exactly your down. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't reveal a lot - either way they cannot tell anyone anything you disclose to them unless you show intent to harm yourself or others - or you specifically give them permission to tell someone (like your parents). Most likely, after you talk to the nurse or psychiatrist then you will be prescribed a medicine (probably an anti-depressant) and will create a follow-up plan (for counseling and therapy).

I dont know how you feel about medicines or counseling - but studies have proven time and time again that recovering from depression is a. the easiest mental health illness to treat and b. best accomplished by a combination of medications (to help stabilize your mood) and therapy (to help you establish tools and coping mechanisms) - and in time when it gets better and you are slowly taken off the meds, you should increase coping mechanisms and slowly have them equal out and finally have coping take over completely. Feel free to email me or message me with any questions - I've been through this myself as well as helping quite a few people through similar times.

Answer 3

I am sorry to hear that you have been really low it could be due to a number of things. It's really fine to know that you have friends that are looking out for you...lucky you. Take their advice and go and get some help...Yes you are right the place to go is your doctor.

Though you might find it difficult do tell your doctor everything, how long you have been feeling the way you do, or you may have some idea why you are feeling like you are, then tell him do not hold anything back.

He may give you medication depending on what he thinks is wrong with you, or he may refer you to see another doctor, one that is used to dealing with problems of this nature.

Do make an effort to go it will be worth if it means you having the necessary help to make you feel like your old self once more.

All the very best to you and hopefully you will be jumping through hoops before too long. bye xx

Answer 4

I'm not a psychiatrist, but I did read Psychology Today yesterday.

So here goes.

Rely on your self to isolate your problem initially. First, ask yourself who or what specifically is causing you to feel depressed.

Either you can isolate the problem to one incident or one person or you can determine that you are just generally depressed about your current position in the cosmos which is life.

If your problem stems from an isolated incident or person, confront the problem directly by vocalizing your discontent to the person responsible for your misery. This process of confronting the problem directly sometimes eliminates the pain surrounding the base problem.

If you decide that you are just generally depressed about almost anything, you need to re-evaluate your thinking process. You need to think at a level above your conscious thoughts. Instead of agonizing about the past or the future, you can concentrate on the present. You can observe from afar the chaos that is your conscious thought process and decide to logically and calmly concentrate only on the present.

If that doesn't work, pay a psychologist one hundred bucks an hour to tell you that it is your momma who has caused you all of this pain.

Answer 5

If your low and sinking then your first port of call is your doctor. It maybe that it is best for you to go on an antidepressant. There is no shame in taking something that makes you feel better and able to cope. You can also ask your doctor to refer you for counselling, whether straight forward counselling or psychotherapy.

If you are a woman then you may find that you have a local woman's centre which offers counselling and self help courses. Some areas have healthy living centres which can offer counselling and alternative therapies. Try searching www.direct.gov.uk for stuff in your local area.

Answer 6

Is there not a community nurse you can make and appointment with, if you dont want to see your doctor. They can help refer you to a councellor to talk about why you feel so low.
If you are already aware that your feeling low thats half the battle.
Be strong, go for walks, exercise helps produce endorphins that make you feel good. You will get through this and come out the other end a stronger happier person, I guarantee it.

Answer 7

You can talk to your doctor and tell him or her that you have been feeling depressed and need someone to talk to. They can referr you to a local therapist who takes your insurance plan.

If money is an issue there are places in every community where free counseling is available. If you are a student you can talk to your school counselor for a referrel. If you like I can give you some names of agencies in your area if you repost with your county and state.

If you don't know what to tell the counselor or doctor just tell them why your friends think you need a counselor.

Answer 8

Tell your doctor your symptoms. Feeling down is only one of them. You probably have increased or lowered appetite. You sleep too much with out feeling rested, or you can't sleep. You want to cry all of the time. These are just a few of the symptoms of depression. Doctors know what to ask and what to look for.

Answer 9

I'll tell you exactly where to start. Go to you general physician and tell him that you believe your coping skills have taken a leave of absence from your body. NO JOKE! He will get the ball rolling by prescribing something and if need be, recommend a shrink or an analysis of sorts. Don't jump right into a shrink's office.

Answer 10

If you have health insurance, you probably should call the company and ask if you should see your primary care provider first to be referred to someone or if you can just pick a counselor and make an appointment. If you do see your regular doctor, just simply ask for what you want.