[The Fox & the Hound]

Today I see her for my yearly check up.

How should I bring it up? How should I tell her?

[Petra5ed]

Originally Posted by The Fox & the Hound

Today I see her for my yearly check up.

How should I bring it up? How should I tell her?

Yeah, I would. She will either prescribe something or make recommendations to you, or both. Most doctors are pretty familiar with the issue. I recently had to do this again, I just simply said I've been feeling depressed lately and that in my case I had a history of MDD. Nature took over and I bawled over in tears when she asked follow up Q's, really hammering this home... next thing you know she was convincing me to take meds.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I gave my GP a list of all the things I need help with or to check. Depression was on the list. So she referred me to a Pdoc. Nothing else was said.

That GP retired (thankfully!...she wound up judging me for my mental health). And now my new GP happens to also be a Pdoc. And my Pdoc happens to be a GP. It's nice because I will no longer be judged for my mental health and I have 2 doctors who can fill the other's role when on leave.

Just simply tell her that you're struggling with depression and what you would like help with (medication, referrals, etc.) Depression is common even for people w/o mental health issues. Don't feel ashamed about it. You just want to feel better. That's a good thing

[baseline]

Yes, Definitely! They can support and guide you. They are trained for this. My GP takes care of my meds and referred me to an excellent therapist. It's almost a year and my life has significantly improved! Good Luck and hope you feel better real soon!!!

[The Fox & the Hound]

I'm 17... Does that make a difference?

[baseline]

Originally Posted by The Fox & the Hound

I'm 17... Does that make a difference?

no it does not! There may also be a physical reason for your depression. They may want some blood work done also to rule out physical reasons for your depression

[SnakeCharmer]

Fox and Hound, it makes excellent sense to tell your GP.

Sometimes I just blurt things out to my doctor. Sometimes I take in a list of issues that have been bothering me. A short list.

I'll hand him the list and say something like, "I could spend the whole appointment trying to explain this or you can read it in sixty seconds and ask me questions."

You could just write down or say, "I've been depressed. I need some help with it."

In my experience, the doctor responded well to short lists with a request for him to ask questions. He's always given the list back to me because it would create a paper work problem, getting it logged correctly, so he asked questions and made note of everything in compliance with the way he did his paperwork.

Handing the list back after reading it was not a rejection. He had a paper work system to stay in compliance with.

IMO, you are brave and strong to be willing to talk to your doctor about your depression. At 17, I was too cowardly and that fear made me suffer longer than necessary. I hope you do it and your doctor responds well. Courage! However you go about doing it will be okay, as long as you get it out.

I wish you the best.

[nottrustin]

Originally Posted by The Fox & the Hound

I'm 17... Does that make a difference?

No it does not make a difference. You should tell her. Not only can she get medications and such but it will also help her understand other things that are going on. Usually they will ask questions about sleeping, appetite, etc which are all symptoms of depression. Also it is pretty standard practice that they will ask these types of questions anyway.

I don't know how close you are to your parents and the beliefs regarding depression but I would strongly encourage you to talk to you parents or another supportive adult. They can help you work through it. Last year my daughter had the same problem (she was also 17). The providers were wonderful and started her on a low dose of medication which has made a hug difference for my daughter.