[nomdeplume83]

So I see a pdoc (actually the nurse) for my meds. It's like a pill mill. They get you in, talk about how you're doing, go through the checklist of questions and send you on your way. Initially this worked for me b/c I didn't have to talk. But I think I'm getting to a point where I do need to talk things out and not with the people in my life. Are there pdocs out there that do talk therapy, CBT, etc in combination with meds or do I need to seek someone else out for the talking part? I'm not interested in anything faith-based, licensed counselors, etc. I want to talk to an educated professional who understands that this is an illness.

[dexter]

My current pdoc talks to me but time is still limited. In my opinion a therapist would be in order, he or she can work in concert with your pdoc and I think would allot more time to each session and you can find one that specializes in CBT or whatever type of therapy you are interested in.

Since talk therapy is a lot more personal than having a knowledge of medications remember it is important to find a therapist that you click with both in personality and in therapy style. If you don't like the therapist you are seeing try to find another that might be more compatible.

Until my current pdoc who does spend 15 or 20 minutes with me I've had the same experience with pdocs. Quick and not much talking as therapy isn't really their game (at least the ones I've had). Maybe my current is more therapy oriented than most... But he is still secondary to the therapist I see on a much more frequent basis.

[IrisBloom]

I would think if you are under the care of a pdoc that you could see him if you request to. If he does not have space to fit you into his schedule then maybe he will refer you to someone. The best thing to do is ask your nurse or someone else at the location where you get your meds. It is pretty normal for patients to get their meds the way you do.

[sunbeem]

I really think you do need to go to a therapidt. Talking to them is completely difference then going to a pdoc. Talking to a t is the way to go because pdoc's now a day don't talk to their clients. My therapist is great. Look around and make sure you get a good one.

[BudFox]

Originally Posted by anichka83

I want to talk to an educated professional who understands that this is an illness.

Do you mean depression is an illness? I personally don't think thats true at all, and that way of framing it usually results in people developing lifelong dependency on drugs and/or therapy, along with declining health.

Is there someone you can see that will dig into the cause(s) of your depression, whether that be C-PTSD, childhood abuse, biological disease, nutritional deficiencies, etc?

Seems to me that Pdocs, drugs, most talk therapies like CBT, and most conventional medical care all involve managing or suppressing symptoms, but do little or nothing that is curative.

[nomdeplume83]

Originally Posted by BudFox

Do you mean depression is an illness? I personally don't think thats true at all, and that way of framing it usually results in people developing lifelong dependency on drugs and/or therapy, along with declining health.

Is there someone you can see that will dig into the cause(s) of your depression, whether that be C-PTSD, childhood abuse, biological disease, nutritional deficiencies, etc?

Seems to me that Pdocs, drugs, most talk therapies like CBT, and most conventional medical care all involve managing or suppressing symptoms, but do little or nothing that is curative.

I disagree. By your thinking, I could eventually snap out of it and it completely disregards my family history of depression, anxiety, and suicide.

I've crossed off the adult "to-dos", I exercise daily and have a healthy diet. I partake in activities and have a wonderful support system in my spouse. I have never been sexually abused, although I was physically and emotionally abused
as a child but I worked through that a long time ago and have come to terms with it. And yet I'm still depressed. The medications I'm on, while not a cure, help manage my anxiety and get me up in the morning. Just like any chronic condition, this is just something that has to be managed and I need to find the combination that works for me.

[Chummy2]

My appoinments with my pdoc where like that too. I have a therapist, I saw pdoc just for meds.
I know that there are pdoc's who also do therapy. But a therapist is maybe better. They usually have more experiences with therapy.
Look for a T who's experienced with your illness. Maybe you can ask your pdoc for suggestions?

[BudFox]

Originally Posted by anichka83

I disagree. By your thinking, I could eventually snap out of it and it completely disregards my family history of depression, anxiety, and suicide.

I have all of those issues in my family too. But I don't see how this makes depression an illness. Prior to the era of mass drugging, depression apparently was often an episodic illness that resolved over time if allowed to, and so people did snap out of it eventually.

As someone said, depression is a sign of poor health on one or more levels and a comprehensive assessment is needed. Seems there are endless possible causes and factors.

Originally Posted by anichka83

Just like any chronic condition, this is just something that has to be managed and I need to find the combination that works for me.

The meds, as I understand it, over the long term can actually contribute to making depression chronic (instead of episodic). Thats what the numbers from long term outcomes studies show.

[nomdeplume83]

Funny, I've never had any medical issues, I'm the healthiest I've ever been and have depressed for most of my life before I got treatment and I haven't seemed to snap out of it yet. It's people like you who are contributing to the stigma. Just because something's been done a certain way in the past doesn't make it right. We used to make people bleed to cleanse them of whatever illness they seemed have at the time until science was able to show it's bacteria and not some mysterious forces.

[with or without you]

Originally Posted by BudFox

Do you mean depression is an illness? I personally don't think thats true at all, and that way of framing it usually results in people developing lifelong dependency on drugs and/or therapy, along with declining health.

I find this statement offensive and do not even understand why you are posting these thoughts on a forum such as this one. Comments like these are what keep people like me from even mentioning depression to family members. Most of my family and friends do not know that I have been suffering in private for some 20 years. I hope you will see the light one day, sir. If you spent even one day in my shoes, you would understand why I cannot function without meds or therapy.

[BudFox]

Originally Posted by with or without you

I find this statement offensive and do not even understand why you are posting these thoughts on a forum such as this one. Comments like these are what keep people like me from even mentioning depression to family members. Most of my family and friends do not know that I have been suffering in private for some 20 years. I hope you will see the light one day, sir. If you spent even one day in my shoes, you would understand why I cannot function without meds or therapy.

I think you misunderstand. I have depression that is quite severe. I am not doubting its existence. My point is that depression is a symptom, not a disease. I know it's common to frame it this way and to suppress it with drugs, but that don't make it true. I was suggesting an alternate approach, since the OP talked about the pill mill, and offered some ideas in what I thought was a non threatening way. But I should know better by now...

[with or without you]

Originally Posted by BudFox

I think you misunderstand. I have depression that is quite severe. I am not doubting its existence. My point is that depression is a symptom, not a disease. I know it's common to frame it this way and to suppress it with drugs, but that don't make it true. I was suggesting an alternate approach, since the OP talked about the pill mill, and offered some ideas in what I thought was a non threatening way. But I should know better by now...

I'm not misunderstanding anything. I vehemently disagree with you. I am sorry you are suffering. I will let this go now.

[BrazenApogee]

talk to pdoc and ask for a referal. they usually know good ones.