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Depression is common. Itâs estimated that one in ten people experience depression in a year. If not treated properly, depression can quickly become disabling. If talking to your GP about depression seems difficult, you should know that theyâre the best placed to find the right treatment for you.
>>> Discover the symptoms of depression
How do I tell my doctor Iâm depressed?
Seek help as soon as possible
Not really sure if youâre suffering from depression, so youâre waiting before you see your GP? You shouldnât delay it. The sooner you talk about your unhappiness, the sooner youâll have a diagnosis and your treatment will be quicker and easier. When you make your appointment, ask your doctor to give you more time to talk. This way, you wonât feel rushed. Finally, itâs important that your doctor understands how you feel. Talk about the impact on your daily life with your partner, your children, at work, cry if it makes you feel better, etc. In short, give them all the information they need to make a sound diagnosis.
Let yourself go
In your GPâs surgery, thereâs just one thing to remember: let yourself go and donât be ashamed. Your GP is a professional ready to listen to anything, so you can break down and let yourself go in the surgery.
- Speak freely, your doctor needs to understand your emotional state, so they can judge the importance of your symptoms.
- Be as detailed as possible: talk about past events, addiction, fears, depression in your family, etc. All of this will help your doctor make a better diagnosis.
- If you have any suicidal thoughts, talk about them. In fact, 60% of suicides are linked to a state of depression.
đ But if your relationship with your doctor seems unsatisfactory, if you feel you canât confide in them, donât hesitate to turn to those around you. Your close ones are an important support.
What are the symptoms of depression?
To begin with, you shouldnât mix up sadness, low spirits and depression. Indeed, the symptoms of depression are:
- depressed mood
- loss of interest
- loss of energy
- reduced concentration
- decreased self-esteem
- a feeling of guilt
- dark thoughts and suicidal behaviors
- sleeping disorders
- loss of appetite
- severe fatigue
You donât need to experience all of these symptoms to be depressed đ. Depression isnât the same for everyone. What should alert you are symptoms that last on a daily basis for at least 2 weeks. In case of doubt, your GP will be able to enlighten you and establish a diagnosis.
Good to know:
If you have depression, your doctor may prescribe a leave of absence to enable you to take care of yourself and/or prescribe sessions with a psychologist.
Editorâs note: Tell them everything!To sum up, if youâre feeling depressed, if you see everything in black, if you no longer have any energy, donât hesitate and donât wait to see your GP. He or she will be able to help you by prescribing antidepressants (as part of regular medical monitoring) and/or psychological support from a psychologist or a psychiatrist. This is the first step towards getting better. Donât be afraid to talk, your GP is a professional whoâs used to meeting people suffering from depression. Donât play down your problems, thereâs often a tendency to embellish things with your doctor, âitâs not that badâ, and this will only delay your treatment and therefore your recovery. Be honest and tell them exactly whatâs going on inside you. đ€ Understanding yourself, accepting yourself, being happy... Itâs here and now! #BornToBeMe |
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