[Wispiwill]

I've not been diagnosed with depression or any other mental health problem but then I've never discussed how I feel with a doctor or other health professional. The only person I've told (apart from forums such as this one and even then only sporadically) tells me that I should see a doctor. He thinks that I'm depressed and possibly have some personality disorder. He suffers from depression himself and says that he recognises alot of the symptoms. He may be right. I strongly suspect that he is. BUT I don't actually WANT to admit it. It's like I've got ostrich syndrome. I figure if it's not actually diagnosed, if I don't accept it or admit to it, then it's not real. Stupid, huh?

Upshot is - I've finally made an appointment to see the doctor (haven't said what about but then you don't have to, fortunately). The appointment is for next week so I have plenty of time to chicken out. I've even come up with an alternative thing to talk to him about.

So, my question is this - am I doing the right thing in talking to the doctor about it or should I just either cancel the appointment or do the alternative thing?

PS. my apologies if this is in the wrong place, I wasn't sure where to put it. Feel free to move it if I've put it in the wrong place.

[depressedalaskan]

Originally Posted by Wispiwill

I've not been diagnosed with depression or any other mental health problem but then I've never discussed how I feel with a doctor or other health professional. The only person I've told (apart from forums such as this one and even then only sporadically) tells me that I should see a doctor. He thinks that I'm depressed and possibly have some personality disorder. He suffers from depression himself and says that he recognises alot of the symptoms. He may be right. I strongly suspect that he is. BUT I don't actually WANT to admit it. It's like I've got ostrich syndrome. I figure if it's not actually diagnosed, if I don't accept it or admit to it, then it's not real. Stupid, huh?

Upshot is - I've finally made an appointment to see the doctor (haven't said what about but then you don't have to, fortunately). The appointment is for next week so I have plenty of time to chicken out. I've even come up with an alternative thing to talk to him about.

So, my question is this - am I doing the right thing in talking to the doctor about it or should I just either cancel the appointment or do the alternative thing?

PS. my apologies if this is in the wrong place, I wasn't sure where to put it. Feel free to move it if I've put it in the wrong place.

I myself say yes, your doctor can help you with a mood disorder. Not all mood disorders are a mental illness. Sometimes they can be Physical. Your doctor should ask you a few questions and take some blood to rule out physical problems.

[Caretaker Leo]

There are so many things - physical and emotional - that can present as depression and other disorders. I hope you keep the appointment with your doctor and he/she asks a lot of questions to open up the many possibilities. It could be thyroid, hormone or some other physical issue that can be helped with the right prescription/therapy.

As a doctor once asked me - when you hear hoof beats outside - is it a horse or a zebra?

Start by assuming the most reasonable answer.

Wishing you the best!

[Hopful 60]

I think the easiest and most affective road to take is honesty. We are so used to being judged by others for how we feel that we've learned to hide our feeling to make our lives simpler by not having to try to explain we "just feel-----", fill in the blank, to end the questions we have no answers for.
Just tell the truth. This is a doctor. A trained professional who is there to help you. Best of luck with your appointment and don't beat yourself up if you cancel the first one