Speaking to GP about depression/anxiety?

[Username765]

Hi,

Hoping you can help! Have experienced some depression/anxiety (I think) for quite a while and never spoken to my GP about it but now it’s getting bad and I feel like I need to start the conversation and get some help so I can try and sort myself out.

The irony is I’m feeling really anxious about calling them and them telling me off for calling for non-urgent things during a pandemic.

Can anyone give me any advice as to whether they will speak to me and be able to help over the phone or if not, anyone can offer any words of wisdom or help?

Can anyone tell me what they are likely to say if they do talk to me?

I’m sorry if this is a stupid question, I appreciate they are really busy. I think this is the first time I’ve really admitted to myself how I’m feeling and I just didn’t want to put it off. Thank you to anyone whose read this!

I called my GP about the same this week.

I had a call back from a GP and she was very kind, she wanted to know which symptoms I'd experienced and listened to why I felt that this was happening.

We agreed that before trying and medication I would try to take some time out in the day for myself and I could listen to some podcasts or Headspace while taking a walk.

I am going to speak with her again in 2 weeks and if there's no change, we may look at medication.

I hope this helps and hang in there, you're making the right choice in taking charge of how you're feeling.

I’m a GP and have a few people come in over recent weeks with difficulties like yours. It is absolutely appropriate to seek a consultation about this- depending on where you are your GP will have guidelines in place about whether they are doing in-person or phone consultations.

Speaking for myself at least we aren’t over-run at present as people are still reluctant to come in either because they’re worried about the risk of contracting covid (small given all the measures we are putting in place to protect patients and ourselves) or, like you, they’re worried their problem not a “big enough” or urgent enough.

Definitely look for help. Illness in all forms is carrying right on regardless of covid-19 and it’s a GPs job to address all those illnesses- it’s the best tool at our disposal for keeping the pressure off hospitals. We’re happy to do it. Please do go for it. It’s a seriously anxiety-inducing thing to have to take that first step but it will be so worth it in the end.

Best of luck

My GP was extremely dismissive. I'm not saying this to put you off but to prepare you. Think of how you would react in that situation. I clammed up and didn't go back for years which was the wrong decision. Be insistent if necessary.

Mine was lovely. Listened, was kind and supportive and asked the right questions. He made me feel like I wasn't a waste of space and that he genuinely cared. He still asks how I am if I see him for other health issues.

I called mine today in tears. The receptionist was lovely and the GP called back in a couple of hours. She talked to me for as long as I wanted, offered lots of suggestions and advice and prescribed some medication.

I had been doing really well with managing my mental health until March and I wish I’d got in touch with her several weeks ago, instead of spending all this time unable to eat or sleep or focus on anything.

There's no shame in seeking help. I put off getting my depression sorted for decades, and made everyone around me miserable. SSRIs to start with, CBT to work stuff out, stopped drinking. Get started, it's never too late.