I am thinking of going to the GP about depression, what will be likely to happen?

[LucyTheValiant]

I think I may have depression. I would like to go to the GP I think - I've thought about it before but haven't been, because I have some concerns.

I'm on the pill and I'm worried if I go to the GP they won't take me seriously and will just make me stop the pill, which I don't want to do - I've felt like this long before I started taking it and have finally found one that suits me. I also get terrible period pain when not on it so don't want to stop. I'm fairly sure it is nothing to do with the pill as I've been feeling like this for ages, I just thought it was normal and how everyone felt.

Also, if they do think I have depression, what is the next course of action? Medication? Counselling? I am nervous of being 'labelled' - I know I shouldn't be, but you hear a lot about the stigma that remains around mental health problems and I'm just worried people will think there's something wrong with me

Has anyone been through this process already? Would you mind telling me a bit about your experience, so I know what to expect? And have you found that people treat you differently because of it? I'm also worried the GP will just think I'm making a fuss - did you find them to be helpful from the beginning?

I have been there. GPs are getting better at recognising depression/anxiety. Your GP will most likely print you out a questionnaire to fill in at the surgery. The result will give an indication of the severity of the depression and based on the result you can discuss interventions. Medication can work well but it's not for everyone. I struggled with the side effects but I stuck with it and I got better. However, if you are only mildly depressed you may want to look at things like exercise or light therapy to lift your mood.
Therapy is the most expensive and rarely offered as a first. The wait lists are very long unless you decide to pay yourself.
I have had counselling and found it helpful but I did pay and it's around £60 a session!

Don't worry about being seen as a failure etc. Most people experience it at some point in their lives. Even strong, rich and successful people. Rest assured that you are probably not the first patient entering your GPs office with depression ob that day. It's incredibly common.

Hope you get on fine. I am sure you will.

PS- cant see why you would have to come off the pill? But perhaps the Marina coil could be a good alternative if it becomes an issue..

Thanks gualsa. I'm sorry you've had depression, but I'm glad you are better now. Thank you for your kind words and explaining re. the questionnaire.

My concern about the pill was just that they might assume that's what's causing it, whereas I don't think it is, but the coil sounds like a good back up. Thank you.

I was really surprised how seriously the GP took my depression. I had to fill in a questionnaire, then we talked through possible next steps including medication, counselling, books that might help me, diet and exercise. We realised I could get counselling through work. I think there was also a local self help group we discussed. It was all very low pressure and the focus was on me making the right choice for me. Then the GP wanted me to come back in and see her regularly to see how things were progressing. GPs see several people a day with depression and in my experience they do take it seriously. Hope you find something that helps you OP - personally I found even the experience of having my GP listen was quite good for me, though I took another 3 or 4 months to really recover.

That sounds really good, sceptical. Three or four months sounds great, I think I'd been assuming it would take years! I'm glad you've recovered.

I am currently seeing my GP for what we both initially thought was work related anxiety but is actually severe depression. Be completely honest with your GP about the feelings you are having and I am very sure they are unlikely to dismiss this as pill-related. I wasn't asked to fill in a questionnaire but was asked questions and watched closely every week and eventually started on medication (side effects not pleasant but I'm reassured its worth sticking it out) and have a referral for counselling. You are doing the right thing. I left it too long and feel like I have much harder hill to climb now as a result. Good luck.

I saw my GP earlier this year with depression. No mention was made of me being on the pill. I started anti depressants. I'm waiting for some CBT. I've also been offered courses and a reading list.
I agree with Fass. Anti depressants do take a while to kick in and can make you feel quite rotten to start with but they can really help.

I went to see my GP about a week and a half ago after feeling more and more down. As soon as I sat down and tried to tell him how I was feeling I started crying (had been crying on and off most of the previous week) and straight away he said depression.

He suggested counselling and referred me but said there's a long waiting list. I told him I'd had depression before but it was in response to what was happening in my life then but that there wasn't anything that had happened this time. I also told him that before when I was depressed I ate more and slept more but this time I'm sleeping badly and lost my appetite. I think because of this he wanted me to have a blood test to check that I haven't got an under active thyroid which could cause the same symptoms. He also gave me a questionnaire to fill in which I handed in when I went for the blood test.

I'm due to go back next week for the results and I'm hoping he'll put me on antidepressants if the blood test is normal as I'm still struggling.