Writing a letter to my doctor about my depression?

jetplane

Fbaby Im not sure what you mean by raise your expectations? If a patient had a broken arm, heart disease or a stomach ulcer would you not expect their GP to rise to the challenge and meet their expectations?

jetplane

Op I think its a good idea, short examples rather than an essay to enable the GP to get the most information in the short time s/he has.

I think empathy and communication are a core part of a GP role and a new GP might be easier to talk to. There are many options for you to discuss including medication, self help groups, exercise referral, mindfulness, talking therapies, counselling.

What is important is that you feel listened to and not all GP's do this. This link is a leaflet on how to talk to your GP about mental health. Also a link to mind who have tons of useful information.

Good Luck

http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/content/assets/PDF/publications/how-to-talk-to-your-gp-about-your-mental-health.pdf?view=Standard

http://www.mind.org.uk/

scooby088

My OH does this and has written down a list of symptoms and the gp also my gp ignores her and says there is nothing he can do, my OH has to have a blazing row with the gp to a grudging referral. Given the short time you actually get in appointments a gp has not got time to read letters

jetplane

I think your OH should change her GP :eek:

TBagpuss

I think it is a good idea - I would suggest that you type it as that is easier to read, and try to keep it fairly short - no more than one page of A4 at the absolute max.

Primrose

Good idea but keep it short - just bullet points so you don't forget key issues. If a doxtor sees "War and Peace" coming at him/her, their heart will sink and key points, which you want to emphasise , will get lost.

FBaby

jetplane wrote: »

Fbaby Im not sure what you mean by raise your expectations? If a patient had a broken arm, heart disease or a stomach ulcer would you not expect their GP to rise to the challenge and meet their expectations?

Indeed and how many patients would feel the need to write to their GP to describe the above conditions? GPs make diagnosis and either treat if they can or refer on. They can prescribe anti depressants and or refer on to the mental health team. What more should they be expected to do?

Carl31

i think you really have to push Doctors with depression, as i think its a bit of a minefield for them, its not an easy illness to manage, and you cant tell how 'bad' someone is in a 5 minute consultation

When my wife was bad a few years ago, we had to be persistant. it took a good few return events and managing to see a very helpful doctor before we got anywhere. If your current GP is not helping, ask to see another

Anatidaephobia

FBaby wrote: »

Indeed and how many patients would feel the need to write to their GP to describe the above conditions? GPs make diagnosis and either treat if they can or refer on. They can prescribe anti depressants and or refer on to the mental health team. What more should they be expected to do?

Sometimes they do neither; they tell you that you might be hormonal or sad or that your feelings are normal and they send you home with nothing. Even if they do prescribe anti-depressants, that isn't the end of the matter, it's just the beginning. Finding the right drug that works is a trial and error process and it's a lot easier if the patient can easily articulate their symptoms and side effects so that the doctor can establish if the medication is helping or, if not, what to try next.

If writing her symptoms down helps the OP explain them to her GP and the GP is able and willing to read them then it can only be a good thing. Diagnosing a mental health issue or illness can be more difficult and complex than something that can be proved by an X-ray or blood test.

System

Personally i always take a bullet note list of things i need to discuss, sometimes i can be forgetful and i've often walked away wishing i'd asked them abut x, y or z. . I've no doubt if i took a latter my GP would actually read it, she's very good with MH problems and always takes the time to listen.

A good GP will take their time with you and listen to your concerns. If they don;t, they may no be the right GP for you (as i once learnt, from a GP who completley ignore the fact i said i was suicidal and just prescribed me sleeping pills, tell me to "sleep it off" :eek: i've never seen hm since.)