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Why, whenever I visit the GP is my ailment ascribed to depression?

(6 Posts)
KatyMac Sat 04-Feb-12 20:36:36

For 5 yrs I complained of pain in my hands & feet before my diagnosis of Fibromyalgia

I go with cystitis, it's depression, a bad chest is depression too as is my IBS

Now last year I was depressed I had counselling we touched on this topic but to be frank we were busy dealing with the cause of the depression (it was very much reactive). I have previously had depression twice before both reactive and to some extent I am able to recognise it and seek treatment.

But why is it the first diagnosis?

Sazbrilla Sat 04-Feb-12 21:45:00

I think it's easier for doctors. I went with a pain in my back and another in my shoulder then with really bad headaches and I got told each and every time it was stress. The same with a very painful lock jaw. It's stupid to think that this is what they do when it has nothing to do with it. Sorry this has happened to you

KatyMac Sat 04-Feb-12 22:18:35

It's frustrating

fedupandtired Sun 05-Feb-12 13:12:35

I have the opposite which I think shows that the GP's in my practice are excellent GP's (seen several when my own GP hasn't been available). Don't really want to go into all my ailments but they're always properly and thoroughly investigated, with referrals if necessary, before being put down to being due to anxiety.

See another GP.

25goingon95 Mon 06-Feb-12 12:03:52

This is happening to me too. It took me ages to pluck up the courage to get help for my anxiety and mild depression and now every time i go which is about twice a year for some other illness or problem, its anxiety angry

Sometimes i wish i'd never told them, they don't take me seriously now.

ReallyTired Mon 06-Feb-12 16:36:36

Yes, and ofcourse if your children have medical problems then that is your depresssion as well. Ie. your three year old can have a perforated ear drum with loads of stinking pus and the GP still asks you about your depression.

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