How to ask GP for anti depressants.

[Bookaholic73]

I have known for a while that I’m suffering from depression.
I’ve tried so many things to help me, therapy, exercise, etc
Nothing has helped the depression although I do enjoy the exercise and find therapy helpful.
I think it’s time to get some medication to help me, but have no idea what to say to the GP. Will they believe me, or do I have to pass a test or something first?

They will believe you op. They will ask about your symptoms and discuss treatment options with you. If you want to try an antidepressant then they will very likely support that.

I started on one just after Christmas and I am feeling so much better now. Good luck

Sorry you are feeling like this

Ring up or use the online service and ask for a appointment to discuss "poor mental health"

When you get the appointment I've been feeling unwell for X weeks and think I have depression now as it's not going away.

They may do a paper type "quiz" or they may ask questions / take a history.

Honestly just go and tell them you're having low mood and feel you could be depressed, you'd like to try some medication.

Sooo many people are on them they won't bat an eyelid!

Thank you everyone. I did an e-consult this morning and am getting a call from the GP tomorrow morning.
Typical, I’m getting my hair cut in the morning, I hope they don’t call at the same time.

I really hope that medication helps me, as I have no idea what else to try.

My only regret is putting it off for so long. Antidepressants have genuinely changed my life.

Hope your consultation goes well. Write some things down beforehand if you think that would help. They will likely do a questionnaire of sorts to gauge severity and then ask you what you want you want to do e.g. a trial of medication

Prioritise the gp over the haircut.
Let the hairdresser know you have a gp tc and take it outside if you really must.

usually I suggest having a bit of a timeline, it started when…, I noticed x and y, other people commented z.
I feel x and y emotionally, and a&b physically. Eg my sleep is.
my relationships are…
I have any/no thoughts of self harm/suicide. Any past hx of mental health.

I have I’ve tried are….they changed….
I have considered medication now as…

that’s how a consult could go in your head to give you an idea of things to think about.

Thank you everyone. I am so nervous about it, I’m not really sure why though.

@UncharteredWaters that's really helpful, thanks very much.

Medication helped me so much! I had a call today to try a new antidepressant as the one I've been on for 15 years has finally stopped working, so I'm a bit back at square one but feeling hopeful I'll be back to normal soon! There's really no need to be nervous, I'm sure they have many calls a day about mental health

Thank you everyone.
The phone call was actually really validating. She said that it sounds like I’ve done everything they would normally recommend before considering medication, so she prescribed me some citalopram.

Im very worried about any weight gain, so I’ll have to keep a close eye on that. I currently binge eat as one of my depression symptoms, so maybe this will have the opposite effect

Thanks Midnight. I hope your medication change goes well for you.
Do they end up not working after a while then? That’s not great is it.

I've been on citalopram for about 15 years, it's been life changing for me. Basically every fee years I've got used to the dose I've been on and needed it increased a bit, and now I'm on the max dose. Apparently it's doesn't happen to everyone, just some people, but it's taken ages to get to this point

I had the same fears as you, but by talking to my GP, he knew that I was telling the truth just by how I was and he actually mentioned anti-depressants before I did - I'd always been against them before because I grew up in an area where they were seen negatively and called "Happy Pills", but this time I took them.

I'm on Citalopram and they have (literally) been a lifesaver - I've gone from daily wanting to kill myself and genuinely not caring about myself to actually some days feeling happy and a lot more capable and able to do things.

Good luck x

@AddictedToBooks yes I grew up in a similar situation with regards to what people thought of anti depressants. It really puts me off taking them, but I really think I need them at the moment.
Did taking the citalopram have any effect on your weight? I’m worried about the frequently reported weight gain.

I just told my doctor I was having a really hard time, I was really struggling and I needed some help. It was 20 years ago, but it wasn't difficult at all.

Thank you @DilemmaDelilah I was surprised at how easy the conversation was to be honest. Starting the antidepressants today 🤞

@Bookaholic73 I hope you start to feel better soon. It won't be instant, but one day you will wake up and realise that actually you can cope. Things may still not be great but that's OK, you can manage.

I didn't need mine for very long but they really helped me to get through a dark patch. I hope it is the same for you.

Hi - no the Citalopram hasn't made me gain any weight but to be honest, even if it had, the feeling of not hating myself and the world anymore would have been worth it.

They tried me on Sertraline at first which didn't work for me but the Citalopram has been amazing.
Definitely worth trying x