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Going to the doctors for depression?
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
I've been struggling with depression on and off for the best part of a decade now, probably even more. It's been bad for the last few months and I'm considering going to the doctors. However in the past when I tried to get help I was basically told to suck it up and get on with it by several people/places (parents, school nurse, doctors etc). Now I'm an adult I'm guessing I might get taken a bit more seriously, but I'm worried all the doctor will do is throw anti depressants at me and stick me on a waiting list that goes into the next century to get some help. I really don't want to take anti depressants so I'm wondering if it's even worth going? I know mental health services are way over subscribed so if the traditional route is a waste of time what else can I look into?
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Anti depressants weren't mentioned at all when I saw a different GP a few years previously.
Have you looked into talking therapies; such as counselling?
As for experiences, I don't always think you do get more time or taken more seriously when you're older. It depends on the doctor, naturally, but IME the first stage is always to plonk you on Prozac and refer you to the practice counsellor.
If you're in work and you have a good employer, raising it with occupational health can sometimes help. I got plenty of sessions with a good counsellor when I raised it at my last employer.
I'll walk over after the job center on monday (it's only round the corner) and see if they've got any cancellations/no shows. If not I'll ring tuesday