Should I ask my doctor to put me on meds?

Kisscut · 21-10-2009, 11:49 AM

I've been suffering from depression for over 8 years now.
I haven't been in therapy or seen any mental health professionals for 3 years. I've been on anti-depressants and sedatives in the past, but anti-depressants seemed to have a bad affect on me. I know my old psychiatrist said that my depression and suicidal thoughts/tendencies were down to environmental factors (home life) and that she didn't want me "labelled."

For several months now I've been feeling more and more down. My sleep patterns are messed up. Before I couldn't sleep. Now I can't sleep enough. I can sleep for 12+ hours and still feel perpetually tired. I know too much sleep isn't any good either. My appetite disappeared too and now the last few days I feel constantly "peckish." I've never been one to comfort eat but I feel like I need to snack on things.

I'm considering going to my GP to ask her if she could put me on anything that could possibly help. The downside being that I would have to tell her that I'm struggling and tell her what I'm having difficulty with.
Two weeks ago I called a number for a local psychological team to see if I could refer myself for CBT or therapy of some sort. I left my details but haven't heard back from them. Will have to call them again.

Should I wait will I eventually see a proper mental health professional for advice on possible meds or see my ill informed GP who would put me on anything? I would like to keep my GP out of this as much as I possibly can.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

bleeding black · 21-10-2009, 12:14 PM

Hey,

If you'd rather keep your GP out of it, and you can hold out until you see a psych team then do so if it makes you feel more comfortable.
Do you know roughly how long the wait is, or is that the call you are waiting on?

I guess it depends on how badly you are feeling, how long until you have access to a psychiatrist, and how much you'd rather have your meds decided on/monitored by someone with specific psych med-related knowledge. Some GP's really know their stuff when it comes to psychiatric meds, but others don't.

Also keeping in mind that the psychiatrist might not want to try medication right away, as sometimes other things -talk based therapy - CBT like you mentioned, etc can help...

It depends how you feel really.... (sorry not much help!)

Kisscut · 21-10-2009, 12:20 PM

Thanks. I think your right.
I may just speak to my GP and see if there is something that I can try in the meantime before therapy is sorted out, as that could take a while.
Thanks for your reply. It was very helpful!

smileemptysoul · 21-10-2009, 09:52 PM

I think it depends on how long it will be until you can see a psychiatrist. If you started a medication and it turns out it doesnt help then maybe by that time you will be able to see a psychiatrist. If it turns out that it helps than when you do see him/her they can monitor it and make any adjustments as needed. If you start now I think the worst that can happen is if the psychiatrist wants to take you off of it, (with the exception of having a negative response to it as that would be bad).

Have you been on all the types of anti depressants? If you haven't maybe ask your GP that you try a different type like if SSRI's weren't working for you maybe try a tricyclic.

Have you made another call to the psych team for services?

Take care

Kisscut · 21-10-2009, 11:14 PM

I haven't called back the psych team yet as I was wanted to give them a chance to contact me (i left a voice message with my name and number) but if I don't hear back from them by the end of the week I will contact them again.
I've decided that I will contact my GP about possibly going onto meds again and it may be best to see if she would refer me to someone, as it would probably speed up the process. I will mention the meds that didn't seem to work too well with me and hopefully discuss any alternative options with her.
Thanks for your reply!

discovery_journey · 21-10-2009, 11:19 PM

Hi,
you might want to have a look at the NICE guidelines for treatment of depression:

www.nice.org.uk

do a search for depression...

they are quite long, but there should be a shortened version of guidelines to read.

from what i remember, they say in the first instance you should see your gp... then your gp should know what to ask you regarding your symptoms/how long you've had them etc...

but it does say that talking based treatments in conjunction with medication is a good plan to follow.

so ask your gp about cbt too

good luck
xx