I feel that I am suffering from depression and that I should see a doctor about it, mainly for the reassurance of hearing it from a professional rather than what I have now which is an informed self-diagnosis. However, I am worried about this on several counts:
He will tell me I'm wrong/making it up - which will just make me feel worse
I don't really want any help like drugs/counselling etc, just to be diagnosed by a professional as reassurance I am doing the right things to help myself - so is there any point when I could just do them anyway?
It might turn out to be something worse
As I have recently moved to a new area, I have never met the doctor I have been assigned to, so have no idea how he will react. I know my worries probably make no sense but I am looking for advice. Should I see a doctor despite these worries, or carry on trying to help myself?
Seeing a doctor
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by andy » Sat Feb 28, 2004 5:21 pm
Hi fall10, welcome to the forum!
Could you tell us what symptoms you're experiencing and also how you're helping yourself.
Best wishes,
Andy.
Could you tell us what symptoms you're experiencing and also how you're helping yourself.
Best wishes,
Andy.
- andy
by Roger Elliott » Sun Feb 29, 2004 12:56 pm
Hi fall10 - being informed about depression will help you make the best choice of treatment.
Our educational path on depression has proved helpful for many people:
Click here
Our educational path on depression has proved helpful for many people:
Click here
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by davidstone28 » Sun Feb 29, 2004 9:22 pm
If you want to be properly diagnosed, your GP might need to refer to you local mental health clinic. There is nothing to be concerned about. They're trained to be comforting and reassuring.
A experinced psychiatric nurse might even be able to do a diagnosis - its essentially consists of answering a series of questions - perhaps even a questionnaire with 10-20 questions. The type and the number of questions will vary slightly depending on the type of questionnaire being used (yes, there are slightly variances in the way that depression is diagnosed). After that its up to you what you want to do - you're not committed to anything.
You might even be able to find basic / general diagnosis tools online - try search of 'depression diagnosis' or 'beck depression inventory' - just bear in mind that these DIY test aren't the same or as comprehensive as being diagnosed by a trained professional.
A experinced psychiatric nurse might even be able to do a diagnosis - its essentially consists of answering a series of questions - perhaps even a questionnaire with 10-20 questions. The type and the number of questions will vary slightly depending on the type of questionnaire being used (yes, there are slightly variances in the way that depression is diagnosed). After that its up to you what you want to do - you're not committed to anything.
You might even be able to find basic / general diagnosis tools online - try search of 'depression diagnosis' or 'beck depression inventory' - just bear in mind that these DIY test aren't the same or as comprehensive as being diagnosed by a trained professional.
- davidstone28
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