who should i see?

Question

i think i need help.i have been suffering all the signs of depression for the last year.lethargy,low self esteem,crying,nostalgia,awake at night but shattered in the day,cant face everyday issues,and lately thoughts of ending it all.do i need to go through my gp to see someone,i would rather not as i saw him a few months ago and was not really happy with it .i found him unhelpful all i got was tablets and a pat on the back.is there any where i can go .i live in the south wales area,thanks.

yes you are right,i should have said my age (50).

Answer 1

It is not required to go to your normal gp, and there is also nothing wrong with seeing another doctor in the office. Maybe ask around through your friends and family and see if anyone can recommend someone good for you who can help you get out of your depression.

Answer 2

If I were you I'd go back to the GP and make sure he really understands your situation, maybe he will change your medication. Tablets are OK at first, they let you see the light at the end of the tunnel. THEN you have to see about therapy to root out the problem, which will make you feel better and the medication will become unnecessary. A psychiatrist will provide both, so that is an option to be considered.(A good option as they are the experts). Above all you must be patient until you've found the treatment most suited to you, and don't give up - but keep pestering until you receive the relief you require, it's the best way - and it's worth it.

Answer 3

You can see another GP, or you can see a counsellor. You can ask a doctor to give you some numbers or just look in the yellow pages. However, in the UK it is a bit difficult to get to a mental health practitioner on the NHS, the waiting times are ridiculous. If you see one private, it might cost you a few quid.
Don't give up, don't let your GP undermine you, it is his job to support you and if he doesn't do that appropriatelty, then you have the right to tell him so and demand that he refers you to someone else.
Hope you feel better soon!

Answer 4

take a holiday - deserved / earned or not - you want to camp as near to the bay as you can - the second place you find on the map will be the one you should go to - stop for tea in the nearest town before you get to your campsite - there will be a spiritualist there - a shaman, or a witch - i cannot tell. you may well find what you need at the local herbalist/apothacary - you will know when you get there - buy some tea you cannot stand, some incense you would never consider buying, and the third charm you see hanging from the cheapest looking necklace/leather strap - spend two days and nights alone/alive near the water - away from all human contact if possible.
the night before you leave for home - go back to the nearest town just after dark - find the nearest pub, drink one pint alone - as you order the second pint - buy one for someone you wouldnt ordinarily buy a drink for.
when you return home - get one good nights sleep. you should feel much better. better than you have felt for some time in fact.
let me know how it goes - [e-mail]

Answer 5

yeah doctors usually just give you a perscription so you'll leave! I have been researching the effect of EPA on depression. a few studies have shown that 4g of pure EPA per day can work BETTER than antidepressants. I am still trying to find a supplement in Australia but check out www.vegepa.com for some info. although depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain it is VERY important to focus on positive things and dont let it get hold of you! perhaps try a naturopath or someone like that who is more in tune with your overall health and not jsut passing out pills to make you shut up! good luck my friend, i know how hard this is, I am still working on it. I am goin to try EPA and gradually come off my antidepressants!! CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) is also good (they just help you to think positively and sort out what issues you have that may have caused you to become depressed)

Answer 6

Did the tablets work? If they did why not carry on with them,i know a lot of people don't like the thought of antidepressants,but if they work why not.You also got a lot of work to do yourself,as tablets only do so much,but i disagree with someeone who told you to take a holiday ,as i know som one who did when they were depressed and they had a horrible time.Try taking to a true and trusted member of family or friend,talking does help.another thing you could do being you live in Wa les is to ring nhs direct,they are very helpful the no is 0845 46 47. that is NHS DIRECT WALES.

Answer 7

Can you see a different pratice in the same surgery. Alternatively, if you can afford it you can have a consultation with a private GP - BUPA charge approx £50 for this and they can of course prescribe you any medical that you need. Although it pains me, I have found lately that paying for private health, you get treated with respect, dignity and someone actually listens to you! I know not all GP's are the same but I always get the feeling that I am wasting their time when I see mine which really annoys me as I am paying his salary through my taxes and have every right to see a GP as and when I feel I need to. Persist until you get the treatment that you feel you need.

Answer 8

Well I strongly suggest talking to either your parents or a good friend about what you are feeling. I was a 14 yr old going through the same thing. There is never a bad enough reason to "end it"! trust me I have been through it all. I have known people who have gone through hell and back again, if they can get through it than so can you. I am not sure how old you are , but if you are young go to a school counselor. If you are an adult than you need to go see a Psychiatrist to Psychologist. Good Luck to you.

Answer 9

Go to see another GP for a second opinion, you most likely need more professional help than from you GP, you can phone your local mental health department yourself if you don't think your GP is any help to you, although they like for you to be referred by your doctor, but if your doctor isn't helping, or listening, it's worth a try.

they are people out there to help, your doctor needs to be more understanding to your needs and learn better bed side manners. Good luck

Answer 10

hi! I think sometime it is good to talk with a friend or a family member that would just sit there and let you do all the taking and not judge you. You maybe need to work things out in your head. But you know if you what to hurt yourseft you ready need to see a Doc and get on Meds. I know what you are going thou I have MS and I know about Depression the Meds i take make me that way, so I told the Doc and he give me meds to help with that. I call them my GO-GO pills. Good luck and God Bless.