My mum thinks I am depressed, she has made me an appointment later at my doctors, not sure what to say to him

[SheSellsSeashellsByTheSeashore]

That's it really. What do I say when I get in there?

I don't feel like I coping well with life atm, but I don't know if I have depression.

What sort of questions will he ask?

I'm a bit nervous tbh.

He should ask quite a few questions, e.g. about your sleep, appetite, how you feel, how you are coping etc. He may discuss medication with you. He should ask about your feelings, e.g. if you are tearful, if you ever feel like harming yourself etc.

He may refer you to something like a mental health crisis team for extra support if you are really struggling. Is your mother going with you for support?

I'd say

"My Mum made this appointment as she thinks I'm depressed. I don't feel like I coping well with life atm, but I don't know if I have depression."

Just the facts, ma'am! When he asks questions answer them honestly - and try not to minimise your feelings, state them as baldly as you can. So don't say 'Oh yes I'll be fine' if what you mean is 'I'll get through it but actually I'm utterly miserable'.

Good luck. My mum had depression and it made things difficult for me as a child, so if you do have it you're doing a wonderful thing by being open to getting help.

NO cremeegg, she is working. But she has assured me if I don't go I won't hear the end of it and she will frogmarch down there tomorrow.

My gran is having dd1, so it's easier for me to talk.

That's a good idea that you won't have dc with you.

If you think you might forget things you need to say, or might be a bit nervous, you could write one or two things down, it might help you?

Have a think about what you might say if the GP offers medication, or counselling etc. If you have strong feeling either way about it then might be good to have thought about what you might say.

Hope it goes well. x

Im worried that the doctor will just tell me to pull myself together and stop being dramatic.

But then I am worried that if I don't go I will get worse. My mum doesn't even 'believe in' depression, but she feels strongly enough to make the appointment.

Dh agrees with her too. Although him going on and on about it, just makes me feel worse.

The doctor won't think you're being dramatic. You don't sound dramatic at all. If your mum and your DH are worried, then it's a good idea to talk to a doctor.

For your DH, it might be good to give him some strategies for helping you rather than 'going on and on about it' - I guess he just doesn't know what to do to help, and is worried, so is just talking at you? If you think about things that might make you feel better for a little while (eg a bit of time for yourself, or to see your friends, a date with your DH) and ask him. Make it clear that you're not saying 'I feel this way because you don't help' more like 'I am struggling, you've noticed it, I know it, I'd appreciate your help. It might take me a while to get it together, but I'm working on it and you can help' He probably wants to help, so giving him some jobs to do might make him less anxious.

Wow that was easy. The doctor gave me Fluoxetine and told me to take some time off work and rest.

He also said I should get some help with the children and the house so that I have time to myself.

I'm glad it went okay for you. Take care.

Glad to hear it went well SheSells.

Have you got any plans in place to have some help with the dcs?