What to expect when I tell my doctor I think I have depression? PLEASE ANSWER?!


Question: What to expect when I tell my doctor I think I have depression? PLEASE ANSWER?
I am 17 and have been struggling with depression symptoms for 4 years now. I have self harmed the whole time on and off, nothing serious. The past year and especially past 6 months I have gotten extremely addicted to self harming and I can't go more than a week without doing it. I have extreme highs and lows regularly. Beginning to get eating disordered habits.

What should I expect to happen when I tell my doctor these things? What questions will he ask? Do I have to fill out any papers? Will I be sent away? Medication? Therapy?

Answers:

I am a mental health nurse who struggles with depression and anxiety. First, let me tell you ANY self harm is serious. You need to be evaluated by a psychiatrist as soon as possible and also begin therapy with a therapist. The therapy for you is a crucial part of a recovery process for you. You will have to fill out paperwork that ask you questions about your feelings sad, happy etc. Any drug or alcohol use? Any family history of mental illness? Are you suicidal? Do you have any self injurious behaviors? Do yo have a history of any kind of abuse? Those are examples of the kinds of questions you will be asked and will answer on paper. It is extremely important you are 100% honest about exactly everything that is going on. You will not get into any trouble if you are doing any illegal drugs and tell the DR. and therapist.That is completely private and privileged information. It is crucial to your getting well that you report everything. You cannot expect to be helped if you do not tell the entire truth to the professionals, they will not judge you, they want to help you. I cannot tell you what exactly will happen but I can tell you this much. You definitely need therapy no question about that. More than likely you will need some type of medication due to just the number of issues you have going on. Inpatient therapy is a possibility, again, thats nothing to be afraid of, right now you are your own worse enemy, you have lost your ability to think rationally and clearly and need someone to help you and support you through this difficult process. There are no magic words or magic pills it is going to require alot of work on your part. But you can do it. You owe it to yourself to begin the healing you are in desperate need of right now. I hope that you are open with your parents about going on, if not, please do so immediately. Dont feel they will hate you or will not believe you that is a common thought teens have and are usually not correct. If you did go to your parents and they are not supporting you go to another adult family member to get involved. Do not let this sit, you must act now. You are worth the fight to live a life with some peace in it. Good Luck to you. You can do this. Your secrets will keep you sick, let them out.

mental health nurse, mother of 2 teenagers, fellow sufferer



Here in Canada your family doctor takes care of you, "shortage of specialists" You will be asked common questions about your moods ETC.. and he will start you off on a medication he feels best for you and you will slowly increase the dose by 6 weeks you will feel reborn, been there done that.



I don't think you're depressed, you sound bipolar (extreme highs), you'll probably get medication, go to the doctor before it gets bad enough to send you to a hospital.

I'm bipolar.



He'll ask you some questions about it, then recommend a psychologist or therapist for you to talk to, and the psychologist will probably handle the rest of the treatment.



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Your doctor will ask you questions about the way you're feeling, how long have you felt this way, what might have brought this on, why do you hurt yourself, etc. I don't know if he will send you to a therapist, I'm in Canada and I got lucky that my family doctor is also a pychologist, so I just see him for everything. I don't think you'll be hospitalized or sent away since you haven't hurt yourself in any serious way. Your doctor will probably start you on a medication, and after a month or so, if it seems to be helping, your doctor may recommend trying a higher dosage. If the medication doesn't work, he will keep trying a different brand, until you find something that helps. For the first little while, your doctor may suggest monthly appointments to check up on how you are doing and after a while, you won't have to see him as often. I hope everything works out!

Me and my experiences.




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