Any point in going to gp!

[ImperfectTents]

I am v low at them minute. Dd is attending Cahms and is possibly going to be diagnosed with asd. I am struggling to cope with her atm. It is just relentless. I basically just feel like giving up and am constantly in tears . Dds therapist suggested I see a gp but I don't want to go on Prozac and I can't afford private counselling . Not sure what good a gp will do and I will just waste their time.

Plus the receptionist asks what you need an appointment for and I don't want to say

I'm pretty sure you can be referred to counselling via your gp. Also if the receptionist asks you don't have to give a reason, just say it's a personal issue I don't feel comfortable talking about over the phone. Sorry I couldn't be more help

You can self refer for counselling now! beta.nhs.uk/find-a-psychological-therapies-service/check

Please please go to the doctors

I was like this when my ds was diagnosed. How old is your dd? These feelings will pass, but seeing a gp is a good idea. If it is an asd diagnosis, hopefully they will suggest a parent support group, etc. You might feel isolated right now, but it will get better.

I usually say to the receptionist "mental health related" which is enough. You may or may not want to use this script?

What support do you think might be helpful? For example if looking for support for yourself in this journey you could post in the SN board?

Thank you everyone. I am feeling a bit better. I think we have spent so long thinking it was a 'phase' it is hard to adjust . I haven't Phoned the gp but will today

I'd suggest going. It can help to just say it all to someone else. Also, has a GP ever actually explained to you how SSRI's work and all the various ones available? Ignore me if you do know but I find so many people just insist they don't want medical intervention before they actually know anything about it.

The right medication at the right does can make the world of difference.

Thanks. I have been on ssri s before. It does lower the volume on everything but I am not sure I can help my dd if I am on them. I am not sure what I want. Am seeing a doctor this morning and trying not to start to crying before I even step out the front door!

Prozac isn't the only option. There are many antidepressants. Depression is, at its core, a serotonin deficiency. Treat it like any other deficiency. Would you refuse it if it were iron pills?

Have you looked at Mind/Healthy Minds? You can self refer to them for free.

It doesn't have to be SSRIs either. I know they're seen as the go to AD but not everyone tolerates them well. Look at some of the older ADs you might find one that suits better. I did.

I am in Scotland so I don't think I can self refer. I am wary of medication generally I will see what the doctor advises

Wasn't a roaring success. The gp looked slightly alarmed and suggested I meet up with friends for coffee. I am going to be referred for online cbt . I found the experience v. Uncomfortable .

@ImperfectTents Aw crap, I am sorry to hear that. Do you think you will accept the referral for online cbt and/or to meet up with friends for coffee? Do you have any friends who you feel able to offload to?

I do meet up with friends for coffee and I willl do the online thing. Tbh I felt sorry for the gp she looked more in need of help than me.

That's possibly accurate tbh. MH is a massive challenge for GPs - both in terms of what is availabe for then to offer patients, and taking care of their own MH. I find it hard when healthcare professionals look stressed themselves. I think it is indicative on having a caring nature, as it certainly is not our role as patients to look after GPs during our appointments.

Anyway, take care of yourself and reach out on MN for support are some suggestions I have

My DH is a bit depressed & so I cornered the local Mind group organiser & asked about private therapists. He looked a bit blank & then said there was a self-referral service locally.

Find an ASD group for support, if you can.

Thanks again everyone. Dd doesn't want me to discuss it with anyone in case her friends find out so I am feeling v alone. Mn is v good for this sort of thing.

That's tough. It's kind of you to respect that though. My own mum routinely discussed my own issues with her friends who were the parents of my friends and which I hated. It had the effect of making it difficult for me to share my problems with her. That said you could tell your DD that you need to talk about it to someone else for your own sake and see if she has a suggest of someone whom she trusts eg someone not connected to her friends? Depends on your DD's age and what exactly is going on and so on. Once I understood why my mum was doing what she was doing it did help me accept it if still dislike it. (I was not in your DD's position in terms of what issues were going on so this might not be an appropriate suggestion. )