I can't see a GP about my mental health, so what can I do?

[bidibidi]

I suppose I'm depressed or very stressed or both, anyway, I want to try to get some professional support because I'm going to have a nervous breakdown, otherwise.

I dislike my regular (male) GP (didn't have a choice about who I got when I signed up with this practice). Surgery won't let me see a woman GP "because they have to see their own patients" and I am going to find it hard to open up to anyone else... I'm finding it very hard to ask for help at all. Although maybe it would be okay if it were a man gp (just not my regular). But I'm not sure if they would let me have an appt. with anyone except the regular GP who I don't have a comfortable rapport with.

I could change to other surgery in town and maybe they will let me have a female GP (they have 3 on their roster). But that would take a while to arrange, too.

So here I am trying to get some help but I don't know what my other options are. Can anyone advise?

Thanks in advance.

Surgery is wrong and you are actually entitled to see another GP and you should always be able to see a woman as a one off.

Ask for the practice manager and insist you see another GP - tell her you cannot talk about your problem with a man. If you feel unable to do it in person, do it in a letter.

My GP surgery has similar policy, but you can see a different GP if its a "women's problem".

Or do you have a health visitor you could talk to?

I agree, I don't think they can stop you seeing another GP in the practice. If it really is that rigid, I would insist on an appointment with your GP anyway and say as soon as you get in there that you'd actually like to see one of the other doctors- I was taken in to see another GP between their patients when my GP wasn't sure what was wrong with my ds so they will probably be able to squeeze you in.
If it's any consolation, if you need counselling or something like that, your GP is merely the first port of call. Their job would just be to refer you on to the mental health team

I would change GP's.

I have gone private to see a therapist (i suffer from stress and anxiety) but its costing me a fortune, in a way i wish i stuck with the NHS (which would have ment a long wait).

I agree - you have a right to see a different GP. If the practice still insist you can't see a different GP then register elsewhere. The new surgery can see you immediately under temporary registration while waiting for the paperwork to be processed (provided they have spaces available for new patients).

Please don't let this put you off seeing a GP. A good GP will help you get the help you need.

Goodness, what a strict practice! I'd find another, both of the surgeries I've been signed up at give you an official GP who you can always see if you want, but you can also tell them you don't mind and just see the first GP who has a spare appointment - you're certainly never forced to see a certain person!

They can't stop you seeing another gp. I changed my gp to another one in the practice simply because I'd got to know the second one. Now if I ring up for something more general I just see whoever is available. If there is a gp in your practice you prefer then put it in writing that you wish to change. Otherwise I'd change practices. It makes such a difference having a good doctor.

Thanks for replies, I don't know if I'm up for the argument about seeing a woman GP at current practice. If by switching practices I could get a woman GP, I think I'd go ahead and just switch (if only because I was in a fit of pique, and all that ).