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The Blame Game?
After 12 years, I finally want to tell my doctor that I'm depressed and that I REALLY need some help.
BUT, I don't want to play the blame game here, But here are I few things that ran across my mind:
SHouldn't he have had a BIT of a hint? I mean, I see him like 6 times a year! But maybe that's not enough? Maybe it's MY responsibility to let him know. But is it my fault that I can't because he makes me wait in the sitting room for 2 hours (and I'm angry by that time) and then when I'm in there he tries to let me out in 1 minute and doens't ask me anything?
What do you think? And I live in Canada so I don't think I can "go see a different doctor" because there's some very complicated stuff going on like I'm not allowed to see other doctors if I already have one (or maybe it's something THEY made up! Well, probably nto because if I see another doctor, my doctor gets some of his pay docked off by the government. But that's his fault because he isn't doing his job thoroughly, which is why some patients MIGHT be seeing other doctors).
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I live in england and my doctor is exactly the same and dentist. I had a wonky bottom set of teeth and my dentist didn't reccomend me to anything, just ignored it. Until I mentitoned that I didn't like it she reffered me to a brace person. thats what you need to do tell your doctor you really think your depresed and need something to get you out of your slump. If you only see him 1 minute six times a year make it count and say how you really feel don't hold back. Lay it on thick,tell him how dpressing and upset your life can get and your a bit annoyed no one acted to deal with it sooner. Good luck x let me know how it goes.
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I live in Canada as well and have had mental health issues. You can see any doctor who is able to make an appointment for you. Some doctors might not have space (not taking new patients) and some might not feel comfortable or be allowed to suggest or prescribe certain treatments unless they are your family doctor. But that isn't an evil conspiracy, it is only to make sure you have a responsible, long-term medical care if that's what the treatment you need requires. If you have complicated health care issues you don't want two people giving you conflicting treatments or medications. Doctors don't want that to happen either.
If you have a family doctor, all you need to do is go in and ask for a referral to a mental health professional. They will probably ask you to describe your symptoms and desires, so they can suggest the right kind of mental health professional for what you are experiencing.
You can also see many mental health professionals WITHOUT a referral from your family doctor, it's just a little more hit or miss if your insurance will cover it without a doctor's referral.
If you are a lucid, sane adult, it's your job to ask questions and bring up your concerns with a doctor, not for your doctor's job to pry at you. It only works when you are forthcoming and make your concerns clearly known.
His pay isn't really docked either if you see someone else. As long as your appointments don't go unfilled he'll still be paid, and they probably will be filed. People are clamoring to see family doctors. But if you want to see someone else all you need to do is talk to the secretary about getting your medical records and start shopping for another family doctor who is taking new patients.
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I also live in Canada and deal with mental health issues.
It's not your doctor's job to ask you about every facet of your health. Our system is incredibly overtaxed right now. Heck, I don't even have a family doctor because there aren't any with openings in my area!
You should not be treated by a family doctor for depression. I was, as a teenager, and ended up seriously messed up as a result of a family doctor overstepping his bounds when he should have referred me to a psychiatrist.
You need to go in there, tell your doctor that you're experiencing symptoms of depression and that you want a referral to a psychiatrist. If he refuses, get a different family doctor, because he's putting his concerns ahead of yours. It's an unfortunate thing that happens pretty often; my old family doctor tried to convince my mother that he should do a biopsy to test for skin cancer... in HIS office!
Don't leave his office until you're satisfied. You have a right to decent treatment. If you don't agree with something or understand it, ask for more information so that you can make the right decision for you. Whatever you do, don't let him treat your depression, because it's not just a matter of pills. There's a lot of other stuff that you need in order to really overcome symptoms that you just won't get from a family doctor.
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