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Mental Health Review

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  • 28-02-2013 1:58am
    #1
    lukesmom
    Registered Users Posts: 4,400 ✭✭✭


    I've been on citalopram 30mg for 5 years for depression and anxiety. My doctor never calls me in for a review, just writes the prescriptions up. I'm wondering is this normal practise? I know there is nothing stopping me going in and seeing her about how things are going etc, but I don't know why the doctors don't organise reviews for patients who suffer with mental health problems, its like they just leave us with the meds to get on with things. Like they have done their job and move onto the next patient where all the time there could be thousands of patients on wrong dosages or even patients that shouldnt be on medication at all. It would be great if they suggested therapies also instead of just tablets. I often feel like they don't really care at all.


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    #2
    delthedriver
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,958 ✭✭✭delthedriver


    lukesmom wrote: »
    I've been on citalopram 30mg for 5 years for depression and anxiety. My doctor never calls me in for a review, just writes the prescriptions up. I'm wondering is this normal practise? I know there is nothing stopping me going in and seeing her about how things are going etc, but I don't know why the doctors don't organise reviews for patients who suffer with mental health problems, its like they just leave us with the meds to get on with things. Like they have done their job and move onto the next patient where all the time there could be thousands of patients on wrong dosages or even patients that shouldnt be on medication at all. It would be great if they suggested therapies also instead of just tablets. I often feel like they don't really care at all.

    Hi there,

    Thank you for taking the time to post.
    I have an expression, "If it is to be , it is up to me"
    My advice is to be proactive in looking after ones health.
    therefore I recomend making an appointment to visit your GP for as early as possible.
    I think your agenda should take the following lines
    1. How you are feeling at present
    2. Whether the drugs are working or not.
    3. Discuss the possibility of changing the meds.
    4. Discuss the value of attending some Counselling sessions
    5. Consider your diet, introduction of exercise into your day.

    GPs are wonderful people who are caring, and generally speaking are extremely dedicated to their patients.
    Tomorrow is a new day so make a call to your GP,s Secretary and book an appointment to have a chat . I am sure they will only be anxious to chat with you and give you their best attention.

    Please keep us posted on your progress

    Good Night:)


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    #3
    delthedriver
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,958 ✭✭✭delthedriver


    May I also suggest having a read in After Hours , a wonderful thread on Depression , title, let us all laugh at people with depression.

    This thread is a wonderful source of information, and personal stories written by individuals on hoe they deal with Depression.

    Best regards


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    #4
    lukesmom
    Registered Users Posts: 4,400 ✭✭✭lukesmom


    Thanks for reply I just feel all the support the doctors offer is medication and I think it should be more than that.


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    #5
    delthedriver
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,958 ✭✭✭delthedriver


    lukesmom wrote: »
    Thanks for reply I just feel all the support the doctors offer is medication and I think it should be more than that.

    No problem!
    Interesting comment, to be fair General Practitioners cannot be experts in all fields. There are a number of other Professionals like Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and Counsellors who specialise in mental health whom your GP may refer you to if your condition warrants it.
    As you have been on medication for quite some time, perhaps it would help you by revisiting your GP to discuss a review of your situation.


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    #6
    echo beach
    Registered Users Posts: 1,252 ✭✭✭echo beach


    lukesmom wrote: »
    I don't know why the doctors don't organise reviews for patients who suffer with mental health problems, its like they just leave us with the meds to get on with things.
    ... I often feel like they don't really care at all.


    In an ideal world with an ideal health system doctors would review all their patients, including those with mental health problems, regularly. But we don't live in an ideal world. Doctors aren't perfect and they have a lot of patients to see to and it does tend to be those who make the most noise who get the most attention. The rest get left, as you say, to 'get on with things'.

    I'm sure your doctor does care but she may not realise that you need her care. Let your doctor know how you feel.


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    #7
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    lukesmom wrote: »
    I've been on citalopram 30mg for 5 years for depression and anxiety. My doctor never calls me in for a review, just writes the prescriptions up. I'm wondering is this normal practise? I know there is nothing stopping me going in and seeing her about how things are going etc, but I don't know why the doctors don't organise reviews for patients who suffer with mental health problems, its like they just leave us with the meds to get on with things. Like they have done their job and move onto the next patient where all the time there could be thousands of patients on wrong dosages or even patients that shouldnt be on medication at all. It would be great if they suggested therapies also instead of just tablets. I often feel like they don't really care at all.

    What your looking for may not come from a GP as at times it may depend on their individual experience but it's the best place to start, failing that there's a lot of good people working to improve mental healthcare and if you look at http://www.shineonline.ie/index.php/about-us you may find a bit more help, Gary.


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