Discussion
Most GPs will be experienced in helping patients with depression. They will probably refer you to an expert, depending on your needs and your views. They can also prescribe medication, of course, but they don't usually offer counseling themselves -it's a specialist service.
If you have private health cover through work, or any kind of employee assistance scheme, you can often get access to the very best help that way.
Good luck!
If you have private health cover through work, or any kind of employee assistance scheme, you can often get access to the very best help that way.
Good luck!
Petrolhead95 said:
Sorry to dig up an old thread but I'm after some advice.
If I was to go to my doctor with concerns that I'm suffering from depression, would he be able to deal with it/be able to point me in the right direction or do I need to go and speak to someone else?
Thanks guys.
Absolutely, your doctor can give advice, evaluate your health and prescribe or refer where necessary, just like any other ailment. If I was to go to my doctor with concerns that I'm suffering from depression, would he be able to deal with it/be able to point me in the right direction or do I need to go and speak to someone else?
Thanks guys.
From personal experience my doctor dealt with it professionally despite how daunting it felt to me at first. Good luck!
I spoke to my GP, got put on ADs and referred for counselling which was going to take forever but then got in touch with Occupational Health at work and they sorted it through BUPA.
Have had to go back recently as for some reason the Citalopram seems to have stopped working and I found myself back sliding a bit even despite the the counselling.
Have had to go back recently as for some reason the Citalopram seems to have stopped working and I found myself back sliding a bit even despite the the counselling.
Petrolhead95 said:
Thanks guys, I'll get myself booked in and hope for the best 
Chemical intervention really works too....I've had two close mates suffer from depression and they were both prescribed a low dose of happy pills. Made a massive difference to their outlook on life - really positive.
I suspect some wouldn't want to take pills, but I've seen them work and so can only say it's been positive.
NDA said:
Chemical intervention really works too....
I've had two close mates suffer from depression and they were both prescribed a low dose of happy pills. Made a massive difference to their outlook on life - really positive.
I suspect some wouldn't want to take pills, but I've seen them work and so can only say it's been positive.
I've never been one to take pills of any kind, but I'm open to it. I'll give it a go.I've had two close mates suffer from depression and they were both prescribed a low dose of happy pills. Made a massive difference to their outlook on life - really positive.
I suspect some wouldn't want to take pills, but I've seen them work and so can only say it's been positive.
I can't believe how long ago I started this thread.
Things have gradually got worse, bad days are more frequent than good days now and it took my relationship to go to the brink of failure before I finally admitted I needed help.
I have been to see the GP and been prescribed some tablets. I feel like a weight is off my mind. I have opened up to my close friends and family and most are shocked as I have hidden it so well.
Im thinking of keeping a diary to jot my thoughts down. I feel anxious, jittery and unsure tonight.
Things have gradually got worse, bad days are more frequent than good days now and it took my relationship to go to the brink of failure before I finally admitted I needed help.
I have been to see the GP and been prescribed some tablets. I feel like a weight is off my mind. I have opened up to my close friends and family and most are shocked as I have hidden it so well.
Im thinking of keeping a diary to jot my thoughts down. I feel anxious, jittery and unsure tonight.
Ruskie
A few thoughts from me... I'm a cop. Have been for 18 years. Never had a single day off sick in all that time, until last year. A few years back, about 6 months after an incident involving a drowned child and me attempting CPR on him, I started getting flashbacks and nightmares. I did nothing about it and "carried on as normal" for about three years. Except I wasn't normal.
Mrs Dibble eventually persuaded/forced me to go to my GP who wasn't much use. Mrs Dibble marched me back in and I was referred to a mental health crisis team who were utterly brilliant. They in turn referred me to a specialist trauma service and I've been diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression. I'm on citalopram and was also using Mirtazapine for a while, with Zopiclone to stabilise my sleep patterns (I was lucky if I got two or three hours at a time).
While all this was going on, I separated from Mrs Dibble, my best mate was diagnosed with cancer and I had my dog put to sleep - all within a month or so. I eventually threw my hand in at work and was taken off operational duties last June. I'm still restricted but at least working full time.
I've been seeing a specialist trauma psychologist for EMDR for 12 months. The incident that "gave" me PTSD wasn't the worst thing I've seen/dealt with in my police career and the psychologist tells me that an hour later or an hour earlier, and I'd have been able to deal with it, but there would have been something that tipped me over the edge before much longer. My upbringing and the fact I'm an emergency services worker always meant I was more likely than the general population to get PTSD/mental health issues.
I had a tough time. I've never been one for speaking about feelings (I've been described as emotionally autistic!) but I've found it does help. I do find it hard though. The other thing I've had to get my head round is how long it takes to get "better" and I'm not fully there yet. My best mate has had cancer, surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and is "cured"... I'm still ill (and still getting used to thinking of myself as "ill"). Plus being in the cops, a generally male oriented macho culture where people don't "do" emotions didn't help.
The MIND website is a very useful resource. Talking helps. People generally care about you. I can manage the crappy days a little better as I realise now they're just dips rather than a never-ending downward spiral. Be kind to yourself. Don't expect too much. Enjoy the little wins you have. Try not to focus on the crap.
Things will improve, but recognise and accept that it will take time. Feel free to drop me a pm if you want, even if it's just to rant.
Keep on keeping on.
A few thoughts from me... I'm a cop. Have been for 18 years. Never had a single day off sick in all that time, until last year. A few years back, about 6 months after an incident involving a drowned child and me attempting CPR on him, I started getting flashbacks and nightmares. I did nothing about it and "carried on as normal" for about three years. Except I wasn't normal.
Mrs Dibble eventually persuaded/forced me to go to my GP who wasn't much use. Mrs Dibble marched me back in and I was referred to a mental health crisis team who were utterly brilliant. They in turn referred me to a specialist trauma service and I've been diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression. I'm on citalopram and was also using Mirtazapine for a while, with Zopiclone to stabilise my sleep patterns (I was lucky if I got two or three hours at a time).
While all this was going on, I separated from Mrs Dibble, my best mate was diagnosed with cancer and I had my dog put to sleep - all within a month or so. I eventually threw my hand in at work and was taken off operational duties last June. I'm still restricted but at least working full time.
I've been seeing a specialist trauma psychologist for EMDR for 12 months. The incident that "gave" me PTSD wasn't the worst thing I've seen/dealt with in my police career and the psychologist tells me that an hour later or an hour earlier, and I'd have been able to deal with it, but there would have been something that tipped me over the edge before much longer. My upbringing and the fact I'm an emergency services worker always meant I was more likely than the general population to get PTSD/mental health issues.
I had a tough time. I've never been one for speaking about feelings (I've been described as emotionally autistic!) but I've found it does help. I do find it hard though. The other thing I've had to get my head round is how long it takes to get "better" and I'm not fully there yet. My best mate has had cancer, surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and is "cured"... I'm still ill (and still getting used to thinking of myself as "ill"). Plus being in the cops, a generally male oriented macho culture where people don't "do" emotions didn't help.
The MIND website is a very useful resource. Talking helps. People generally care about you. I can manage the crappy days a little better as I realise now they're just dips rather than a never-ending downward spiral. Be kind to yourself. Don't expect too much. Enjoy the little wins you have. Try not to focus on the crap.
Things will improve, but recognise and accept that it will take time. Feel free to drop me a pm if you want, even if it's just to rant.
Keep on keeping on.
A great step to have taken Ruskie, I commend you. That weight leaving you? First step toward being better mate. Admitting to suffering from depression is a hard step but a friend whom I confided in admitted he also suffered from it and was on serious meds; I never knew. He summed it up for me, "Sometimes your immune system can't cope. You take medication to help your body restore itself. Sometimes the chemical balance in your brain goes adrift, why wouldn't you take medication to help correct that imbalance?"
Pills don't solve the problem but they helped level me off to the point where I could deal with things better.
I've been off Cit for over 2 years now and things are better. You'll get there too. Well done for taking the steps you have. You'll start to feel the improvement in a few weeks. It was subtle for me but it helped me sort my head out.
Pills don't solve the problem but they helped level me off to the point where I could deal with things better.
I've been off Cit for over 2 years now and things are better. You'll get there too. Well done for taking the steps you have. You'll start to feel the improvement in a few weeks. It was subtle for me but it helped me sort my head out.
Been following this thread with interest - long term depression sufferer myself. For me the ADs didn't help much and I remember Cit being the worse in side effects.
Keep strong, it may seem that noone in the world understands or cares but as long as you don't give up hope there's always the light at the end of the tunnel.
Keep strong, it may seem that noone in the world understands or cares but as long as you don't give up hope there's always the light at the end of the tunnel.
Dibble said:
Ruskie
A few thoughts from me... I'm a cop. Have been for 18 years. Never had a single day off sick in all that time, until last year. A few years back, about 6 months after an incident involving a drowned child and me attempting CPR on him, I started getting flashbacks and nightmares...........
........The incident that "gave" me PTSD wasn't the worst thing I've seen/dealt with in my police career and the psychologist tells me that an hour later or an hour earlier, and I'd have been able to deal with it, but there would have been something that tipped me over the edge before much longer......
It's not a sign of weakness, just a sign that you have spent too long being strong, for too many people, for too many things. A few thoughts from me... I'm a cop. Have been for 18 years. Never had a single day off sick in all that time, until last year. A few years back, about 6 months after an incident involving a drowned child and me attempting CPR on him, I started getting flashbacks and nightmares...........
........The incident that "gave" me PTSD wasn't the worst thing I've seen/dealt with in my police career and the psychologist tells me that an hour later or an hour earlier, and I'd have been able to deal with it, but there would have been something that tipped me over the edge before much longer......
Something has to crumble eventually.
Dibble said:
Ruskie
A few thoughts from me... I'm a cop. Have been for 18 years. Never had a single day off sick in all that time, until last year. A few years back, about 6 months after an incident involving a drowned child and me attempting CPR on him, I started getting flashbacks and nightmares. I did nothing about it and "carried on as normal" for about three years. Except I wasn't normal.
Mrs Dibble eventually persuaded/forced me to go to my GP who wasn't much use. Mrs Dibble marched me back in and I was referred to a mental health crisis team who were utterly brilliant. They in turn referred me to a specialist trauma service and I've been diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression. I'm on citalopram and was also using Mirtazapine for a while, with Zopiclone to stabilise my sleep patterns (I was lucky if I got two or three hours at a time).
While all this was going on, I separated from Mrs Dibble, my best mate was diagnosed with cancer and I had my dog put to sleep - all within a month or so. I eventually threw my hand in at work and was taken off operational duties last June. I'm still restricted but at least working full time.
I've been seeing a specialist trauma psychologist for EMDR for 12 months. The incident that "gave" me PTSD wasn't the worst thing I've seen/dealt with in my police career and the psychologist tells me that an hour later or an hour earlier, and I'd have been able to deal with it, but there would have been something that tipped me over the edge before much longer. My upbringing and the fact I'm an emergency services worker always meant I was more likely than the general population to get PTSD/mental health issues.
I had a tough time. I've never been one for speaking about feelings (I've been described as emotionally autistic!) but I've found it does help. I do find it hard though. The other thing I've had to get my head round is how long it takes to get "better" and I'm not fully there yet. My best mate has had cancer, surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and is "cured"... I'm still ill (and still getting used to thinking of myself as "ill"). Plus being in the cops, a generally male oriented macho culture where people don't "do" emotions didn't help.
The MIND website is a very useful resource. Talking helps. People generally care about you. I can manage the crappy days a little better as I realise now they're just dips rather than a never-ending downward spiral. Be kind to yourself. Don't expect too much. Enjoy the little wins you have. Try not to focus on the crap.
Things will improve, but recognise and accept that it will take time. Feel free to drop me a pm if you want, even if it's just to rant.
Keep on keeping on.
I actually touched on this with the doctor. I do think to a certain extent as paramedic/police/fire we have a certain amount of PTSD. I certainly have two horrific jobs that are at the back of my mind involving children. They will never leave me till the day I die.A few thoughts from me... I'm a cop. Have been for 18 years. Never had a single day off sick in all that time, until last year. A few years back, about 6 months after an incident involving a drowned child and me attempting CPR on him, I started getting flashbacks and nightmares. I did nothing about it and "carried on as normal" for about three years. Except I wasn't normal.
Mrs Dibble eventually persuaded/forced me to go to my GP who wasn't much use. Mrs Dibble marched me back in and I was referred to a mental health crisis team who were utterly brilliant. They in turn referred me to a specialist trauma service and I've been diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression. I'm on citalopram and was also using Mirtazapine for a while, with Zopiclone to stabilise my sleep patterns (I was lucky if I got two or three hours at a time).
While all this was going on, I separated from Mrs Dibble, my best mate was diagnosed with cancer and I had my dog put to sleep - all within a month or so. I eventually threw my hand in at work and was taken off operational duties last June. I'm still restricted but at least working full time.
I've been seeing a specialist trauma psychologist for EMDR for 12 months. The incident that "gave" me PTSD wasn't the worst thing I've seen/dealt with in my police career and the psychologist tells me that an hour later or an hour earlier, and I'd have been able to deal with it, but there would have been something that tipped me over the edge before much longer. My upbringing and the fact I'm an emergency services worker always meant I was more likely than the general population to get PTSD/mental health issues.
I had a tough time. I've never been one for speaking about feelings (I've been described as emotionally autistic!) but I've found it does help. I do find it hard though. The other thing I've had to get my head round is how long it takes to get "better" and I'm not fully there yet. My best mate has had cancer, surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and is "cured"... I'm still ill (and still getting used to thinking of myself as "ill"). Plus being in the cops, a generally male oriented macho culture where people don't "do" emotions didn't help.
The MIND website is a very useful resource. Talking helps. People generally care about you. I can manage the crappy days a little better as I realise now they're just dips rather than a never-ending downward spiral. Be kind to yourself. Don't expect too much. Enjoy the little wins you have. Try not to focus on the crap.
Things will improve, but recognise and accept that it will take time. Feel free to drop me a pm if you want, even if it's just to rant.
Keep on keeping on.
I have woke up feeling dreadful and I knew it was coming yesterday. Head is clouded and thoughts are whizzing. It's going to be a long day.
Thank you for the comments and encouragement.
Ruskie
Don't try and get through a whole day at once. Get through the next hour, minute or second.
Recognising a problem is the hardest thing. You've done that. Asking for help is the next most difficult. You've done that too.
You will have rubbish days. You will also have non rubbish days. As long as you can recognise a rubbish day then you'll get through it. Tomorrow can be a better day, you've just got to get there.
I used to be terrified of the first seconds after waking up, in case I felt crap.
Keep on keeping on.
Don't try and get through a whole day at once. Get through the next hour, minute or second.
Recognising a problem is the hardest thing. You've done that. Asking for help is the next most difficult. You've done that too.
You will have rubbish days. You will also have non rubbish days. As long as you can recognise a rubbish day then you'll get through it. Tomorrow can be a better day, you've just got to get there.
I used to be terrified of the first seconds after waking up, in case I felt crap.
Keep on keeping on.
Ruskie said:
I can't believe how long ago I started this thread.
Things have gradually got worse, bad days are more frequent than good days now and it took my relationship to go to the brink of failure before I finally admitted I needed help.
I have been to see the GP and been prescribed some tablets. I feel like a weight is off my mind. I have opened up to my close friends and family and most are shocked as I have hidden it so well.
Im thinking of keeping a diary to jot my thoughts down. I feel anxious, jittery and unsure tonight.
My Counsellor made me keep a diary and I found it really useful. I still do it now although not as often as I should now. Things have gradually got worse, bad days are more frequent than good days now and it took my relationship to go to the brink of failure before I finally admitted I needed help.
I have been to see the GP and been prescribed some tablets. I feel like a weight is off my mind. I have opened up to my close friends and family and most are shocked as I have hidden it so well.
Im thinking of keeping a diary to jot my thoughts down. I feel anxious, jittery and unsure tonight.
I found it particularly useful to look back at it later and see that things I thought would happen didn't. I guess it depends on the individual but my main issue was that I thought everything would go wrong etc and it didn't.
I don't feel that I'm completely better either though. I'm kind of coming round to the idea that I will need to adjust to dealing with this for the long term. I feel a lot better than I did though.
I guess everyone is different.
richtea78 said:
My Counsellor made me keep a diary and I found it really useful. I still do it now although not as often as I should now.
I found it particularly useful to look back at it later and see that things I thought would happen didn't. I guess it depends on the individual but my main issue was that I thought everything would go wrong etc and it didn't.
I don't feel that I'm completely better either though. I'm kind of coming round to the idea that I will need to adjust to dealing with this for the long term. I feel a lot better than I did though.
I guess everyone is different.
It does make you stop, think, recalibrate.I found it particularly useful to look back at it later and see that things I thought would happen didn't. I guess it depends on the individual but my main issue was that I thought everything would go wrong etc and it didn't.
I don't feel that I'm completely better either though. I'm kind of coming round to the idea that I will need to adjust to dealing with this for the long term. I feel a lot better than I did though.
I guess everyone is different.
Like you I'm having to get my head round that it'll probably never leave me. I'm going to have to learn how to live with it. I'm getting better at recognising bad days and find them a bit easier to deal with as I know they're not permanent.
I also wrote everything down. It helped me rationalise some of my thoughts and it was definitely a cathartic process. I've also given talks to colleagues on some of the danger signs.
Dibble said:
It does make you stop, think, recalibrate.
Like you I'm having to get my head round that it'll probably never leave me. I'm going to have to learn how to live with it. I'm getting better at recognising bad days and find them a bit easier to deal with as I know they're not permanent.
I also wrote everything down. It helped me rationalise some of my thoughts and it was definitely a cathartic process. I've also given talks to colleagues on some of the danger signs.
It has probably been stated elsewhere but if you can get to a stable-ish state, which may take a few years, then it will be worth having a go at some of the talking therapies. Bearing in mind that I don't have the professional stresses and unpleasantness that those serving in the emergency services or forces have to deal with..:Like you I'm having to get my head round that it'll probably never leave me. I'm going to have to learn how to live with it. I'm getting better at recognising bad days and find them a bit easier to deal with as I know they're not permanent.
I also wrote everything down. It helped me rationalise some of my thoughts and it was definitely a cathartic process. I've also given talks to colleagues on some of the danger signs.
I went through several bouts of CBT and then, more recently, CAT.
I found CBT to be a bit of a mental sticking plaster in that it helped me deal with immediate feelings and behaviour but didn't tackle the underlying issues to prevent relapses.
CAT was a different kettle of fish. Over a period of (quite a few) weeks I discussed my history and circumstances that might have caused my issues with a therapist, identifying particular situations and analysing why they have such a bearing on my mental makeup. I found catharsis in just talking
about matters properly, presumably as repeatedly examining stuff forces understanding. I also ended up with a process diagram for my mental processes and behaviour that has been useful to set down in front of loved ones and other trusted people so they can get a handle on my particular quirks.
As Dibble has suggested, it probably won't leave you alone in one way or the other. My depression has pretty much vanished following CAT but I still have issues with anxiety, admittedly at a much reduced level.
CAT can be a bit of a pig to get off the NHS but is also available privately.
In the meantime - minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day. Find something distracting that you enjoy that doesn't demand much mentally (mine was sitting in coffee shops looking out of the window for interesting cars with my then young son - odd and burnt savings but gave me something to look forward to - pretty much the only thing I enjoyed at the time)
A good therapist is worth their weight in gold. I found that the short CBT course was a waste of time and money, but the much longer one (several months) allowed the therapist time to understand my problems. This is no cure in itself, but when you are used to not saying anything to anyone, it really does help being able to talk to a non-judgemental person who can help you work out where the causes are. For me, ADs just make me feel less in control of things, and effectively make the situation worse.
Wish I can find a good therapist too but seems unless you pay £££ it's hard to find on NHS.
I've been thinking about ADs again lately. There's been few times I'm close to breaking and would normally feel very down. Been on ADs for 8+years and have been off them for nearly 3 years now. Really don't want to go back on but wonder if it's worth having a chat with GP.
Is Cito still the defacto AD prescribed? I'm just a bit worried as last GPs I've been seem to be more keen in prescribing ADs then listening to what's wrong with me.
I've been thinking about ADs again lately. There's been few times I'm close to breaking and would normally feel very down. Been on ADs for 8+years and have been off them for nearly 3 years now. Really don't want to go back on but wonder if it's worth having a chat with GP.
Is Cito still the defacto AD prescribed? I'm just a bit worried as last GPs I've been seem to be more keen in prescribing ADs then listening to what's wrong with me.
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