How to cure depression?

[downbeatplumb]

The depressed guy hasn't posted for 5 months now.


Probably having pina coladas on a beach somewhere.

[Waratah]

Did not even notice there was a necro post by the newbie.

[Aractus]

What ever you do DO NOT listen to Daniel.

Nice. There's a petition against Effexor you know - that's just the start of its controversy, and I've known a lot of people who have used the drug. Is it helpful? Yes it is in the short term (up to 9 months or so). GP's may be qualified to prescribe antidepressants, but mental ilness is not their area of expertise and they are unable to adequately assess its effectiveness for their patients - this is not an insult against GP's, in fact more than one GP I know agrees with me on this. In my view, patients should be referred to a psychiatrist. I would support legislation that made this mandatory for all long-term antidepressant prescriptions, that way everyone benefits - GP's have less burdens on them, patients will receive better care - and most importantly - their psychiatrist visits would be either bulk-billed (free) or charged in the way GP visits usually are. My friend has been on antidepressants for 15 years, I don't think he's ever seen a psychiatrist in his life. All he sees is a psychologist about twice a year and his GP every time he needs his prescription renewed. How that helps is totally beyond me. I'm the one who sees the effects of his medication - not his GP who sees him once every few months for 5-10 minutes.

[festive1]

You neglect to factor in the stigma many people have against mental illness, including depression. My last episode, which was linked to postpartum depression, I went into my GP and told him I was depressed and anxious. He told me to go to church... I explained that I wasn't religious. He basically said, well that's too bad. I muddled through the depression for another couple of months and wound up being hospitalized when I became suicidal. The GP never followed up with me and never referred me to a psychiatrist. Some people need referrals to see a psychiatrist, so their starting place is with a GP. I was anxious to the point of paranoia, and wasn't comfortable going to a psychiatrist on my own. That's what we call medical negligence. People who say they need help should get it, even if they only go see their GP.

[Aractus]

You neglect to factor in the stigma many people have against mental illness, including depression.

I don't hold that stigma. From your post it seems that some GP's do however, and yes that is a problem because patients with mental health problem will see GP's, even if there's nothing the GP himself can do for them.

My last episode, which was linked to postpartum depression, I went into my GP and told him I was depressed and anxious. He told me to go to church... I explained that I wasn't religious. He basically said, well that's too bad. I muddled through the depression for another couple of months and wound up being hospitalized when I became suicidal. The GP never followed up with me and never referred me to a psychiatrist. Some people need referrals to see a psychiatrist, so their starting place is with a GP.

This is exactly why I believe the GP should be required to refer people who he is prescribing antidepressants to after a certain time. His suggestion that you go to church probably was intended as a way to have you interact with supportive people - when you're depressed you need people in your life to support you - friends, family, colleagues, neighbours, etc. If you didn't want to go to a church, you could have tried other community groups - weight watchers, etc. Some friends I have were in a support group that met once a week based on AA (but not specifically to do with alcoholism) so that whatever people's problems were - drugs, depression, anger, sex-addiction, etc, they could share and support with each other. It was a non-religious group although all the friends I had that went were Christians (although most of the others in the group weren't).

I was anxious to the point of paranoia, and wasn't comfortable going to a psychiatrist on my own. That's what we call medical negligence. People who say they need help should get it, even if they only go see their GP.

I'm sorry to hear that, and I agree with you that GP's should refer their patients whenever they see a need.

[festive1]

If you didn't want to go to a church, you could have tried other community groups - weight watchers, etc.

You callin' me FAT?!?!??!!! Just kidding... but Weight Watchers hardly constitutes a mental health support group.

Some friends I have were in a support group that met once a week based on AA (but not specifically to do with alcoholism) so that whatever people's problems were - drugs, depression, anger, sex-addiction, etc, they could share and support with each other. It was a non-religious group although all the friends I had that went were Christians (although most of the others in the group weren't).

I'm in support groups now. However, back then, I was so deep in the depression hole that facing my underlying issues was an impossibility. I needed meds to help get me back to a somewhat normal functioning brain. I already wanted to die and to kill myself, facing the underlying issues behind that would have probably pushed me over the edge.

[Aractus]

I'm not advocating that meds aren't used. I'm advocating that GP's should be required to hand the responsibility of prescription to a psychiatrist after a length of time, because a psychiatrist is better equipped to handle the prescription and to assess whether the medication is helping or not (and whether to try other medication). Especially as antidepressants are very powerful mind-altering drugs. Not only that, but people can and do get addicted to their medications all the time, and the more we can do to address this the better all round - for patients, for doctors and for government costs.

PS: A support group is a support group, even if it isn't specifically for mental health. Being with supportive people is still helpful and better than being alone.

[KichigaiNeko]

WHY are we necroposting?? Daniel you are rather foolish.

[Darkstar]

WHY are we necroposting?? Daniel you are rather foolish.

Why do 30-45% of new members necropost within 24 hours of joining?
(Okay maye my guess is wrong, I don't know. It seems like 50%, but I don't think it's that high. Could be < 30% too. Still, it seems to be pretty common)

[Aractus]

festive1 revived the thread, not me...