I have my appointment with the psychiatrist on Friday

[WigWamBam]

And I'm terrified and just need to off-load.

My GP has referred me because he says he can't change my medication (I'm on 40mg Citalopram)without referral to a psychiatrist, but from what he tells me now, the psychiatrist won't really want to see me because they're not really interested in straightforward depression. They are only seeing me because they have to (new guidelines on one particular medication) and not because they feel that they can help me. That's made me feel really wonderful about wasting the psychiatrist's time just for a change of meds that the GP isn't able to do.

I was hoping for a good, positive session with the psych but with my GP saying this, I can't see it happening now. To add insult to injury, dh was going to be coming with me for a bit of moral support, but he forgot and has now arranged a business trip for Friday.

I was feeling really positive about this, as I've been waiting for a couple of months for this appointment, but now I feel I'm just going round in circles. If the psychiatrist isn't going to want to help me, who will?

I feel as if I'm just going round in circles

[MamaMaiasaura]

re gp's attitude.

[WigWamBam]

He's been stunningly useless throughout, actually. Very kind and sympathetic, but not much use otherwise. Even when I had some really bad patches and was suicidal, he just told me to keep taking the same tablets and give them another few weeks to see how they settled down. This was after taking them for 6 months.

I tried seeing another GP at the practice once, but all he would do was dish out the same pills, he couldn't do anything else because I'm being treated by my own GP.

[MamaMaiasaura]

is he old?

[WigWamBam]

Mid-50s probably.

[babynovice]

This is probably very un-PC of me to suggest but is there a female GP at your practice you could speak to? Some men (GPs or not) are just not that sympathetic to women. In saying that, I have encountered some very unsympathetic females GPS too....maybe the point is that if you don't trust your GP it might be an idea to find someone else? Maybe an MNer in your area could recommend??

[MamaMaiasaura]

Doesnt surprise me tbh. I think the gps of thew 'old school' need to learn people skills and get off their pedalstalls. Sorry, but I do find that these 'old school' gps sledom offer any real advice and I actually wonder if they do know what they are talkinga bout or wether they have been sat in their surgeries for so long that they havent refreshed on their knowledge and have lost touch with their patients. Sorry if this sounds harsh but I have had gps who sound quite similar and they really dont like to be questioned either.

[Mhamai]

Hi WWW I'm really sorry for what you have been going through, I've had similar experience on ads a few months ago, I'm off them now and in counselling but I had the exact same attitude from the gp, ie just take your tablets etc, I just want you to know that you are more than welcome to cat me and I really hope things go ok for you on Friday //[[[[[[hugs]]]]]]]]]

[HappyHuggy]

Hi,

how are you today?

[nutcracker]

WWB is the pschy you have to see in the centre of sutton ??

[WigWamBam]

Thanks all. Feeling really down today again, I don't know whether it's just because I've been thinking too much about this appointment though.

Nutty, the psychiatrist is in Sutton, in Patrick House (near the Odeon).

[nutcracker]

Yeah thats where I went. Do you know who you are seeing ??? Only I was reffered to see a psych and it actually ended up being a social worker.

[WigWamBam]

I'm seeing someone called Doctor Simons ... why did you end up seeing a social worker instead of a psych?

[nutcracker]

Haven't a clue, he said it was all part of the same thing and that my sessions would be discussed with the psych afterwards.

I think what they meant was, that they didn't have a psych available. I was pretty mad, felt like i'd be conned.

Anyway, i only saw him twice. He was ok but didn't seem that interseted.

[nutcracker]

Oh, good luck for friday by the way, i'm sure it will be fine.

[WigWamBam]

That's appalling!

[nutcracker]

It worked out ok though in the end I spose cos he did write me a letter about my housing and a letter off a social worker always helps.

Didn't really do anything for my state of mind though but still.

[WigWamBam]

Flipping heck, I'm worried now that I'm likely to end up talking to the cleaner or someone!

[Sax]

WWB - listen - I know you are feeling soo anxious re the appointment. You know how I feel that you should take it as it comes and deal with what is best for you after that.

I do wish to say though, that counsellors listen to problems, they don't advise. You want the Psych to deal with the medications for you to feel you are coping which hopefully they will do, however, realistically they may not be the listening ear you need right now.

You are more than welcome to email me (cat me for email address, however, I am not a counsellor and can only offer my listening ear not really any advice! I have recently been dx suffering clinical depression therefore have stresses which has made me come here for support. It has been fab to meet so many people, some in same situations, some having been through similar and some who just give little bits and pieces of their lives.
I will listen if you want to offload - you can say whatever you want to me, never shocked or judgemental, but I do totally understand that people only ever discuss private issues with people they feel they can! therefore it is entirely up to you, if and when!
I do not mind either way, but never feel you are on your own - you are not - we are ALL here to support one another in some way or another so the offer is there, however no pressure to respond either way.

All the best with the appointment, please don't stress yourself too much over it before the event happens - you must go into it with no preconceived ideas and only if you feel it hasn't been productive do you then seek further support from elsewhere!

I hope i haven't gone on too long, just offering my thoughts for what they are worth!

[Nbg]

I'll not be able to get on again now WWB but I just want to let you know that I'll have my fingers crossed for you on Friday.


I honestly think that you will find the appointment helpful and might give you a feeling of relief IYKWIM.


Lots of luck

[HappyHuggy]

Hi wigwambam

How are you today?

[WigWamBam]

Struggling to keep my head above water today, huggy ... I'm not as bad as I was a couple of months ago but still struggling. Thanks for the CAT, I'll mail you later.

Sax, I don't really know what I need at the moment. Sometimes I think I need a good shake and a kick up the backside, actually! I'm going to take the appointment as it comes, I'm not expecting anything at the moment apart from the change of meds, I don't know whether there's anything else that they can do anyway at the moment. At least this may be a step in the right direction, even if all s/he does is start trying other meds.

[Sax]

We all wish a good shake and kick up the backside is all it will take but in reality it won't - i hope the appointment is OK and you must let us know the outcome. I will reiterate that you are welcome to email me. You may want someone to talk to - but you may want someone whos past their depression therefore I do understand you may not!
Good luck and keep posting if it helps!

[WigWamBam]

Thanks Sax.

[nutcracker]

Oh god i'm sorry I didn't mean to worry you further.

You actually have the name of who you are seeing don't you ?? I didn't i don't think.

[Sax]

You OK WigWamBam?