[lostandunsure]

In the past year i have been seen by two physciatrist and both have said i'm depressed with an anxiety disorder as well. My family physcian is only treating me with Lexpro 10mg and has been for the past 6 to 8 months. How can i approach him and tell him i need more help? My depression and anxiety disorders are worse and i can tell, but yet my family physcian is not a physciatrist and i'm not sure i'm getting the treatment i need..as a matter of fact i know i'm not according to the last physciatrist i saw in April. PLEASE HELP ME, i want to get better, but yet i'm not sure how to approach my doctor with the two reports i have from the physciatrists i had to see. Thank you for any help you can offer, i really do appreciate it

[texdave]

Are you assuming that your doctor would be offended that you sought help outside of his expertise? This may not be the case. Regardless, it is your life and well being at stake, not your doctors'. I have found that there are doctors who are not experienced with treating depression. A psychiatrist seems a much better choice to me. I started with a psychologist, then a psychiatrist, and when I found a treatment regimen that worked for a long period of time (years), I found a doctor who would continue the meds. If at any time I believe that a doctors care is not enough, I give myself permission to use whatever medical care I can find which is of help to me, including psychiatrists, therapy, whatever. Depression is a very treatable disease, you are on your way to recovery. Keep seeking.

[(JD)]

Hello and welcome. I don't have a psychiatrist, my MD prescribes my meds... I think you just need to tell your MD that perhaps the dose needs to be increased on the Lexapro. That is a wonderful "newer" drug and it is very common to begin on a low dose and work up some. He/she probably thinks the lower dose is doing you just fine and doesn't know (like, you forgot to tell?) that it's time to increase it!

So you don't have to have a psychiatrist. You might want to find a counselor or psychologist though, and work through some things that might be causing the anxiety/depression. After 6 months, odds are that medication might not be enough, and a combination of both (meds and talk therapy) should help it be an easier path for you.

<font color=blue> meditation is a true way to connect to the Source </font color=blue>

[lostandunsure]

tex thank you for your input...my doctor does not know about the physciatrist visits because they were ordered by the state when i had applied for disability...depression is not my only medical problem...but i do agree that some doctors do not know how to treat depression, the lexpro i'm taking i found out is for anxiety, which i do have also, but it's not for depression, i just wasnt' sure on how to approach him about this or should i just seek a phsciatrist instead of even meantioning to my family physcian...i guess the truth is i'm afraid of being a test product since most doctors don't treat depression. Did your therapist help you the most instead of your family physcian? Thank you for responding

[lostandunsure]

HI sky and thank you for your response...you are RIGHT in assuming i haven't told my doctor that the lexpro isn't working anymore. I think i'm embarassed to bring it up because i use to be a very strong woman mentally and now i suffer from depression and anxitey and i have no one that i can talk to about it or even tell them i have it. It's like i have to keep it a dark hidden secret. My husband is the only one who knows, and you mentioned talking to someone, I wish i could, it's not that i don't have the means, i'm sure we have some good therapist here, it's that i'm afraid someone will find out i'm going. I know that sounds stupid or childish but that's how i feel. I dont' want to bring shame upon my family. I guess i thought maybe through here i could talk to someone and get it all out, i don't know what i was thinking, just looking for answers and help. Thank you for responding..i really appreciate it

[SeptemberMorn]

Hi, Lost... There is no shame in talking to your doctor and letting him know that the Lexapro isn't doing it's job. You obviously need an increase in the med. I've taken Lexapro both for anxiety and depression. It was working quite well controlling both, but my insurance wouldn't pay for it because it's so new. The dosage you are on now is the beginning dosage. It may do the job for some, but it's obviously not doing it for you.

Family doctors, as a whole, don't mind and even expect you to seek a therapist's help and they'll even refer you to a psychiatrist if you feel you need one. Most know they can't help you as well as a psychiatrist.

As for bringing shame to your family, would you feel the same way if you had diabetes or cancer? I seriously doubt it. They are physical illnesses than you can't help... anymore than you can help the imbalance of chemicals in your brain.

Take care of YOU and talk to your doctor.





<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

[dexter]

lost there is absolutely no reason to feel anything less than the strong woman you know yourself to be. The depression may make you feel otherwise, because one of the things it does is lie to us and make everything seem negative.

Depression is an illness, not a weakness. You wouldn't consider yourself weak if you broke your leg and were confined to bed or crutches for some time, would you? Depression is an illness and it is one that can be treated. Try not to let the depression keep you from getting help... tap into that strength to "take control" and get the treatment you may need. There is especially no reason to worry about the doctor, that is what he is there for. If you are uncomfortable talking to him about it because he is a GP then it is OK to find a pdoc that you feel more comfortable with.

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-- The world is what we make of it --
-- Dave
-- <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.idexter.com>http://www.idexter.com</A>

[dexter]

>> but i do agree that some doctors do not know how to treat depression... i just wasnt' sure on how to approach him about this or should i just seek a phsciatrist instead of even meantioning to my family physcian...

You are right, some doctors just aren't "up to speed" on depression, and others are well aware and will prescribe meds themselves or recommend a psychiatrist.

If your doc gave you the lexipro for anxiety it shows that he is familiar with these medications and would be open to talking about your depression. If you don't feel comfortable talking to him about it though, that is good enough reason to find a separate psychiatrist. In addition, a GP may not have as much experience with such problems, you can think of a pdoc as a "specialist" who may be more knowledgable and be able to offer more help. I would consider that if the GP isn't helping or if you are uncomfortable talking with him.

I also believe that with either a doctor or pdoc to prescibe meds, a therapist is also important along with the meds to help you cope with the symptoms and help allieviate them.

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-- The world is what we make of it --
-- Dave
-- <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.idexter.com>http://www.idexter.com</A>

[lostandunsure]

September your right and i shouldn't be ashamed...i see my reg doctor again tomorrow and i think i will think of your encouraging words when i go in and i'll talk to him about it. Thank you so much for your input. I really do appreciate it

[lostandunsure]

Dextor thank you for your encouraging words. My doctor always seems in a hurry and maybe that's why i'm not comfortable talking to him about it. I think in my case i need to talk to someone who understands what i'm going through..not only the doctor but the staff as well. I had an incedent with my doctors staff last month. I have a back problem as well and ran out of my meds and one of his staff said i would have to wait till monday, when i spoke to my doctor about it what had happend he was furious with his staff because he knows how much pain i'm in right now with my back and that's doesn't help my depression either. This certain staff member made it seem like i was bothering them when i said i really needed my meds and couldn't wait till monday. So, when monday came around and my doctor called me i broke down crying and told him what had happened. It was an awful feeling. I really appreciate your input and support thank you

[dexter]

your welcome... and I think being treated so poorly by the staff that way is bad overall no matter what you illness or complaint. I guess they forget that that's what they're there for... it is their JOB to take care of your needs AND to make you feel comfortable.

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--http://www.idexter.com

[lostandunsure]

your so right dexter and that's why i think i would be better off with a doctor who specializes in treating depression and anxiety...i think the staff would be much more knowledgable about what the patients are going through and be more understanding

[texdave]

Yes, my therapist helped me the most. He was recommended to me by a good friend, my AA sponsor. Sometimes it is necessary to try different therapists to find one you are comfortable with. It can be a daunting process but is worth it. It helps if know someone who has used a particular therapist and has had good results. My sponsor had been confined in a mental institution and is now a successful high school english teacher and has been for many years. You are not a weak person. One in four people will experience depression at some time in their life. Depression does not discriminate against "weak" or "strong". You have many years of fullfillment and usefullness to look forward to. It may be in a different way than the past, but it will be good.

[bptoo]

lost,

Let me reinforce what the others have said. You need to see a specialist. A Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist, Psychoanalyst, and the list goes on. But someone who specializes in Mental Health. I had a family doctor trying to treat my depression. He thru all manor of meds at me, not knowing if anything would work. After many months of frustration I went to a Psychiatrist. Within a month we found the right med for me. Soon after he had me add a therapist also. Things continued to improve.

As my Psych said to me when I told him that I had been seeing a GP for my depression, "You wouldn't see a Podiatrist for a heart condition, would you?" He had a point.

I wish you all the best of luck, and please let us know how things turn out, OK?

Be well,
Greg