Going to doctors with depression

[welshmammy2009]

can someone please advise me, I'm going to the doctors tomorrow to tell him ive been feeling low for the past few months, feeling tired and tearful I think I'm depressed. What will happen how will he diagnose me? I felt I made the right decision this morning booking the appointment but now I'm starting to regret it and I'm feeling scared.

If someone could give me some advice that would be great
Thanks

[fridakahlo]

He or she will probably do a HAD score with you, which is a questionaire that will ask you to rate how your feeling e.g I have felt a)very tearful b)somewhat tearful c)not at all tearful over the past week.
Depending on your score you will either get a diagnosis or not. If you are diagnosed he/she will probably put you on some anti-d's and hopefully you will be offered counselling which is useally CBT over a six to eight week period.
Good luck.

[fridakahlo]

And you were right to book an appointment, depression left untreated can go downhill very rapidly. So make sure you go and tell them why your there. It's not a waste of their time. If you had a lump in your breast you wouldn't hesistate and depression is just as much an illness as cancer is. Though hopefully in the majority of cases, a lot easier to deal with.

[Hassled]

Woudl it help to write down what you're feeling and just give the GP the note?
You've done the right thing - no need for regrets. You're getting help in exactly the same way you'd go and sort out a sore throat or a broken toe.

[welshmammy2009]

Thank you for yor replies
Will I have to have counselling I don't like talking about things I find it really difficult?

[fridakahlo]

Counselling will be up to you but CBT isn't really about talking anyway. It is more focused around replacing negative thoughts and thought patterns with positive ones. It can be really really helpful. Also if you don't like talking about things that might suggest you are bottling a lot of stuff up (emotionally) and that will lead to depression as well.

[welshmammy2009]

Hi everyone so I've been to the docs and he said he thinks I'm on the border of been clinically depressed (think that's what he said) I told him I've been struggling with things and it's been affecting my work and he's signed me off for a month. I don't see how been signed off work is going to help me if anything it will make me worse. :(

[fridakahlo]

Use the time to do things for yourself. Bubble baths, walks, museums, art galleries, read, watch films. You might find just making some time for yourself and doing things you enjoy either a) makes you feel better or b)allows you to focus on why you are feeling down and ways in which you can make that better.
Did he do a HAD score with you? And did you or he discuss the possibility of CBT?
I hope the month does help, rather than leaving you feeling at a loose end. With the children (I presume you have some), that means you will still be getting up at a reguler time each day and having to leave the house.
I really do think the time could be good for you if you can make good use of it.
Best wishes xx