Im new here ... and i think i may need help

[LBLBLBLB]

this is my first time ever posting into something like this / talking about this to .. well anyone really .. i have been suffering from low moods for a while now at least five months now and never had the courage and or time to go to the doctors for a chat and now its got to a point where my boss has told me i need time off due to high stress / maybe depression and told me i need to go to the doctors asap but i just dont know where to start now im even more in a state as i will not be getting paid for these days off unsure if ill get a doctors appointment and if i did i wouldnt even know what to say to them could anyone please help?

[purplethistle]

I think you need to be open with yourself and talk to doctor I didn’t realise I had low mood and depression and hadn’t accepted this for months but went to see Doctor and had a chat and was so pleased I did got prescribed a low dose of antidepressants and this has changed my life sorry for those who it hasn’t worked for as it doesn’t work for all please go see your doctor to tell them how your feeling talk to friends and family for support and be open with them we should be able to be honest and open about our thoughts and feelings x

[LBLBLBLB in reply to purplethistle]

thank you for taking the time to reply to my post i appreciate the help, the only problem i have is going to the doctors i just dont know how to word it or what to say i feel so so stupid and embarrassed every time i think about it my stomache churns and i get all worked up ive spoken to famil and freinds and even my boss they all help slightly but all say that i need the doctors help i cant just bring myself to go i dont want to offend anyone with mentel helth issues but i feel silly / like ill be laughed at or shunned by the doctors for it as i have no idea how to explain it to them x

[Stilltrying_]

I think if you are insistent about the need for an appointment they should give you one. You need to stress to the receptionist that you are unable to go to work and have been told to get a doctors appointment as soon as possible as your employers are worried about your mental health.

Just tell your doctor what you have told us; that you have been suffering from low mood for a few months now. Maybe describe what this involves. Do you find yourself unable to motivate yourself to do things you used to do? Do you sleep a lot? Do you just feel "down" all the time and like life has no purpose, or is all negative? Have you lost interest in activities you used to enjoy? Do you have money worries which are stressing you or is there some aspect of work itself which you are finding very challenging ?

Whatever your symptoms or whatever is on your mind you need to tell your GP.

If you feel completely unable to speak about it maybe show them the post you have written and your replies, but I think you will be able to explain when you get there. If you know of any doctor who is more approachable than the others in the practice then ask to see that doctor, or if there is one you have seen before and liked as some are more sympathetic and caring than others !

One thing which might help is to write down what you wish to say and read it out to the doctor. You could put bullet points such as " I think I may have a problem but am worried about being laughed at or not taken seriously"

"I've suffered from low mood for 5 months now and my employers have noticed and feel I am under stress and need professional help"

"I don't know anything about mental health issues or whether or not I have depression but some people have suggested that this may be the case"

"I'm very anxious about today but I've been told I need to do it"

"I'm worried about losing pay while I'm off which is adding to my stress levels, so I'm hoping that something definate can be done to help me" Etc.

Anything else your'e wondering about please ask. Gemmalouise X

[LBLBLBLB]

thank you for replying! i think this is the only way to do it i will ring my gp in the morning and go from there ive not wanted to admit it for a long time but now its effecting my entire life ive worked my way into such low moods these past few months i cannot seem to bring myself back out of them so i am going to have to seek further help no matter how scary i find it thank you for your advice x

[purplethistle]

Hi it is very scary I know I haven’t posted on here before but the support given is extremely welcome. I must have been in denial for months/ years like stilltrying_ has said if you can’t find the words show your doctor the post on here it may make you feel so much better and that’s got to be worth a try .... I don’t post on here usually but give it a try... it may change how you feel about yourself x

[LBLBLBLB]

i have only just come across this site within the last hour and just from these two replies i feel slightly more at ease with the thought of going to the doctors, i think i will be taking stilltrying_s advice and showing the gp my post just in case i just dont have the words when the time comes thank you both for your advice you have helped me out a lot x

[purplethistle in reply to LBLBLBLB]

You will always find somebody in here who will give you support and comfort x

[LBLBLBLB in reply to purplethistle]

i was sceptical at first and surprised when i actually got a reply.I feel like my first step was easy enough now just for the doctors appointment (if i can manage to get one though i will stress the points which i have been advised to see if that helps )thank you both once again !xx

[Andshe]

You have taken the first step already in admitting there is something not right. Well done! It is scary but remember you don't need to know what to say. Many of us have been in a similar place as you when we first experience a mental health issue. The doctors are the professionals and will ask you the pertinent questions, I have had excellent support from various gps and they should know what they are doing. Be brave enough to tell the receptionist (if necessary) when you call that it is urgent and you are off work and need your doctors help. Receptionists often need to ask the nature of the appointmet, just explain some elements just as you have here. You have done it once ( and a few times in replies) you CAN do it again. Keep going and my thoughts are with you x

[LBLBLBLB]

Thank you all x

[LBLBLBLB]

I went to my appointment today my doctor thinks I have depression and anxiety they have RE booked me in for four weeks time to see if I need medication as the waiting list for healthy minds is very long in my area he made me feel more at ease about medication used to treat them as I didn't really know much about them before , first step done I feel a slight weight has lifted I am aware there is a long way to go but I have finally taken the first step , thank you all for your advice once again you have all helped me get past the first scary step ❤xxx