New to the group looking for advice please

[Zlw123]

Hi. I'm new to the group. I suffer with server depression and anxiety. I have cognitive behavioural therapy to try help me. I think I've got bipolar but unsure how to go about getting a diagnosis or help.

Can anyone point me in the right direction please?

Thank you!!

[Fi68]

If you are in the UK your GP needs to refer you to a psychiatrist, as it is only psychiatrists that can diagnose and prescribe treatment for bipolar. Your GP obviously thinks you have depression otherwise they would not have referred you for CBT. Is CBT helping at all? Are your meds working?

Fi.

[Zlw123 in reply to Fi68]

Hi. Thank you for your reply. Ive not been to many session but so far no, its not making a difference yet but it's still early days. No the tablets are not working I've already discussed this with my doctor and have had a change in dosage.

I've had depression for many years but only recently gone for medical help with controlling it as it's got progressively worse and the change is hard to mange. I will seek medical advice once the GP opens on Monday and see what they think too.

Thank you for your reply.

[Fi68 in reply to Zlw123]

Your welcome, trying to get the right meds at a dose that is good for you can be a very frustrating experience of trying each AD until something works, but please do not despair, you will find a treatment that works for you. May I suggest that you see you GP more frequently, say every two weeks. This enables them to develop a more complete picture of how this illness is effecting you, help strengthen the relationship between you and gives you extra support. Saying that you might already be doing this 😊.

CBT is the current first line treatment for depression according to NICE. It is one of those things you have to go through before the GP tries another strategy. I have done CBT, some of the concepts and ideas were helpful, others were just a load of w&@k.

I think the positive thing is that you are in the system and your GP is taking your symptoms and distress seriously. You just have to make your way through the system.

Take care.

Fi.

[Zlw123 in reply to Fi68]

Thank you very much.

Your help has been great.

Take care