If you see your GP is it really confidential?

[lanbury]

A friend I work with is presently suffering from (in my unqualified opinion) anxiety/depression (lots of history with their DP attempting suicide, having to be Carer, bring up children alone etc) now appears to be at breaking point. They’re taking some time off, but I feel they need proper help. They refuse to see the GP because firstly think they’ll “ end up drugged” but also they’re convinced that the GP will report them to some kind of authority which would ruin career. Can anyone help me give some sensible factual help here? Thank you!!

It is confidential. There is no such authority to be reported to. The only way the GP will disclose to anyone else is if your life or someone elses is in danger. So as long as she doesn't say she is going to kill herself as soon as she leaves or that she is going to hurt someone then it's confidential. They probably will suggest medication but she can say no if she doesn't want it. However if she doesn't want antidepressants then other than running tests to check if there is a physical cause, there really isn't much they can do. You self refer for therapy usually, the GP doesn't do it.

didyousee I think GP might report family to SS if they thought there might be a concern about the children.

Very rare that a GP would report to SS on the basis of depression/anxiety.
The only person I know who’s GP did make contact with someone (not sure who) was a nurse who was drinking heavily/ taking drugs
while on shift.

I disagree. I know many many women who have been referred to SS and other agencies.

So it's not guaranteed to be a confidential discussion then.

Don't GPs report patients to the DVLA if they think they're not safe to drive? I'm sure I saw a post on here a few weeks back about someone with sleep apnoeia having their licence taken away following a report by their GP?

Of course GP’s will report safe guarding concerns. Most people don’t flag up any concerns though so no details passed on.
I have bipolar, I’ve never had even a hint of SS involvement because there no concerns with my ability to parent or do my job.

Only if the children safety is in question. If they are being looked after and there is no question of violence or neglect then SS would not be informed.

Same with the reporting to the DVLA. He would be putting others in danger by driving so it had to be disclosed.