How do I tell a doctor I'm depressed?

Question

I've been feeling like this for months, and I went through a stage of it once before and turned to alchol for sustinance, luckly I had a great friend who helped me pull through. This time I just don't think it'll work. I feel awful and it's effecting my studies :( But I don't know how to tell a GP how I feel, and I feel kinda self concious doing so. Any ideas on how I do it? I know I need help, I'm just scared.

Answer 1

Doctors hear stuff like this everyday and without being offensive, things that are much worse! This is not something you have brought on yourself, so you shouldn't feel worried. When I told my doctor, I went in with a list, so I wouldn't forget anything. The things you might want to mention are:

* Symptoms
* What happened before e.g. turning to alcohol
* Suggested courses of action e.g taking of anti-depressants or therapy.

Good luck, you will be fine, even if you can't imagine it yet, it'll just take time.

Answer 2

There is no need to be scared or self conscious or embarassed at all. Depression is a very common ailment. It can affect evey aspect of your life, not only your mental health but your physical health as well. The fact that you want to seek help, is a wonderful step in the right direction. Just make an appointment, go in, and tell your doctor the things that you have been experiencing, like things that seem to affect you more than others, do you have up days and down days or is the depression steady. What thoughts have you had, no matter if it is a simple as being lonely or a sad song that wouldn't normally make you cry, makes you tear up, or as serious as thoughts of suicide. The best way is just to tell the doc exactly how you feel and let them decide where to go from there. Do not be embarassed, and don't live with something like this that will make you miserable, when there is plenty of help out there for you! Take care!

Answer 3

When you call the office to make an appointment, they will ask you what is going on so they know how to book the appointment. That will be done over the phone where it's more anonomys, just tell them its for depression and leave it at that. When you go in, it will already be on file what you are there for. They will ask you again anyways, but by then you will be there and it's either tell them or run out. But believe me, doctors get this all the time. By doing this, you are being responsible. If you choose not to do anything about it because it's uncomfortable, that is just irresponsible and cowardly. Remember, nobody is perfect. Depression in so many cases is chemical, so it's not because of anything you did or didn't do that got you there. Be brave, step up to the plate and just do it. Even if you burst into tears, do you really think it's the first time they have seen that? No, it's not. Don't let your life get so far off track that you loose everything just because you were TOO afraid to take charge of your life and tell the doctor. You are not the only person who suffers from depression and it is nothing to be ashamed about. Good Luck!

Answer 4

pay interest, female, this is bothered waters the position you're at. do not admit to suicidal ideas to a clinical specialist till you're over the age of 18. they are going to tell your mom and father because of needed reporting guidelines. in the journey that they promise you otherwise, they're both breaking the regulation or mendacity. although, that is secure to talk melancholy with a clinical specialist. look up the indicators. which ones journey you? What are different causes you're saying you're depressed? tell your clinical specialist that you've been feeling low, and also you got here upon some techniques on melancholy and also you think it suits the position you're. The mayo health facility is a good source for this, only google 'mayo health facility +melancholy' for an entire record of what are warning signs, remedies, et cetera. yet another element you should do is talk to a school coaching counsellor in september. they could typically manage some thing it truly is short of remedy and hence bypasses many of the officialness, place of work artwork etc. this way your mom and father do not ought to ensure a remedy appointment for you, which it sounds they does not opt for to do. they could not even ought to understand. yet even nonetheless that is amazingly, very risky to confess to suicidal ideas to any type of specialist except you're feeling you opt for to be in a clinical institution as a fashion to be secure. remedy does not bypass on your record in besides, structure or style. Even hospitalisation does not. Involuntary hospitalisation ought to ensue, yet mostly it gained't decrease you from some thing except protection force service. that is virtually not plausible to ensure if someone has ever had remedy by way of confidentiality guidelines, no matter if or not they were a minor on the time. remedy is amazingly elementary, and if employers/landlords etc. appeared for that as a caution signal, 1/2 of u . s . a . of america must be homeless and unemployed.

Answer 5

First off - why tell the doctor?
The only reason I see is to get a prescription.
If you think medication will help go for it.
The guy that mentioned zolaf had the right answer.

It's not like he is going to take your bloodpressure or look into your ears and diagnose you as depressed.
Just drop the word prozac or zolaf and he will unload questions on you. Then depending on the nature of your GP and the quality of your insurance he will write a script and send you on your way.

Talking to your doctor will change nothing.
It will be the first step in change.
Whether for the better or worse I don't know.

I have never tried any of those experimental drugs.
Basically i dont trust them.
Too many ingredients and only created less than a decade ago.

I self medicate when depressed.
Mary Jane.
It works fast - i can control the dosage.
No hangovers or the health risks associated with behavior modification drugs.

To recap, your GP (in this case) is access to under the counter drugs. If you decide to try it - then just go for it.

Answer 6

First of all, please don't be scared..... When you get to the stage you have, you are already making the first step to becoming well. You can do it. I would suggest you make the appointment as soon as possible, and don't think about it too much beforehand...just dive straight in there. There is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about admitting that you are suffering and need support to deal with it...a lot of us have been there. When you face your GP, perhaps start to explain that you have been feeling unwell, tired, have unexplained aches and pains and that you are finding things a little hard to cope with. Your GP will take it from there. You will get the support and advice you need, it is then up to you again to continue your journey and assess what you have been advised to do. You are in control and you will make the best choices for yourself. If there are things in your life at the moment that are causing you to be feeling this way, look at making changes where you can. If it is issues in the past that now need to be faced, try to talk about it as much as you can, research the issues on line and you will find a lot more reassurance that you are most certainly not alone. Best wishes to you, you will be ok and you can do it, just believe in yourself.

Answer 7

Don't be scared. Doctors see and hear some awful things and will only want to help you BEFORE things get even worse. Pluck up the courage and go and see your doctor. You have to remember that doctors see patients with the same symptoms as you have every single day. I think it takes a great deal of courage to take the first step, after that, things, hopefully will get easier. The doctor will also realise what a great effort it has been for you to actually go to see him. Go on, take the first step to making you feel a whole lot better and able to concentrate on your studies. You won't regret it. I wish you all the luck in the world. Have a good Christmas.

Answer 8

It's best to say you you have been feeling low in yourself for some time and explain the background. It is up to the doctor to make a diagnosis of depression. He\she will ask you questions and evaluate you but may make an appointment for you to see someone else. No man is an island and all of us have bad spells but some people need more help to get through a bad time

Answer 9

your GP is there to help. you just need to go tell them you think you are depressed. its a hard hurdle but even that will make you feel like a weight has been lifted. You can have someone come with you if you have a trusted friend, otherwise they won't bite your head off. Depression is a medical condition and not a mental state due to a lack of a certain chemical. They will treat you like any other patient. Good luck

Answer 10

You don't tell the doctor that you are depressed he tells you, it's called a diagnosis!!!
But if you do feel that bad you dont HAVE to go and see a GP. Talk to friends and relatives, if they can't help give the Samaritans a call on 08457 90 90 90 it may be easier to break the ice by talking over the phone instead of face to face.