Depression (Male) Post Reply

[Dystopian Hangover]

Anyone with any ideas of who to use if you do not fancy going to the GP due to privacy reasons

[Sarahsea]

I'm not an expert but the little I know suggests that if it's clinical rather than reactive depression meds may be required - which means a prescription. Would you consider a private GP in the first instance to establish if it's meds or CBT/Counselling/Psychotherapy that's needed to help? If you go straight to a counsellor (of which there are plenty), Priory etc it may not be so effective if it's clinical. On another note, unless the GP is a relative, I'd be concerned at the lack of trust in them and seek to change surgery. If there's a good reason why there's fear of lack of privacy then it should be reported. I wish you/or who you posted for well - depression is desperately debilitating and often misunderstood - hence can be hard to diagnose.

[Annabelc]

I would recommend getting in touch with your local IAPT service. You can self refer and they will assess what the needs are and offer counselling where appropriate.

[headshrinker]

Hi, I am one of many, many private counsellors and therapists in this area working with people with depression. Many of my clients choose not to go through their GP, although I would always recommend keeping them in the loop, even if you choose to seek help in the private sector.

If you want a private therapist, a good place to start is through one of the main professional bodies. The BACP has a website www.itsgoodtotalk.org.uk that lets you search based on location and issues. I think the UKCP has a similar one too.

Any qualified Counsellor or Psychotherapist should be able to help with depression but approaches vary so you might want to try one or two before deciding who to go with. Therapy is most effective when you click with your therapist so just keep trying until you find someone you feel comfortable with.

Oh and if you don't feel comfortable talking to your GP, you might want to shop around for a different one of those too!

Best of luck and feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

[Braintrainer]

In our experience men can find the idea of talking to anyone about their inner thoughts & feelings hard to do.

You can self refer to us and we don't need to talk in depth about what is going on to help.

Feel free to call for a chat.

[Luilou]

You can certainly go to a Private GP to be assessed for clinical vs reactive depression and choose not to keep your NHS Doctor informed. Yes they may or may not offer anti-depressants and CBT therapy but the former doesn't necessarily work for everyone even if you do try and switch brands. I am speaking from experience of clinical depression and developing a clutter stammer after taking anti-depressants for 6 months, which then took 5 years to resolve itself.

As a female I have always found the talking therapies have really helped and I have researched many different avenues in an attempt to find my own "cure".

There is a study (Charing Cross Hospital) that promotes taking High Grade High dosage Omega 3 with EPA/DHA. In Australia, there are studies taking place regarding the connection with the stomach/digestion and depression - that is definitely something that I am looking into.

Exercise or at the very least getting outdoors has been key to helping me with the blackest episodes.

Action for Happiness have some interesting initiatives.

I have also found Qi Gong/Tai Chi really helpful.

For anyone wanting to read a fairly accurate account as to what clinical depression is like, then the book by Sally Brampton - Shoot the Damn Dog is pretty accurate in my opinion.

It is key to surround yourself with supportive, gentle and understanding people. Long term clinical depression can have an adverse effect on you as a person and your friends and family.

Good luck with your journey and finding your "cure".

[AbbevilleMummy]

Do you have private healthcare through your employer or an external helpline number as part of your work benefits package?

I ask this because I had PND after my second child and initially didn't get much support at all from my GP and the health visitors. Out of desperation, I called the private medical helpline number (Bupa or AXA, cant remember which now) and they were so helpful. They arranged for a specialist to call me straight back. This specialist then arranged a suitable time for me to have a telephone consultation to make an initial diagnosis. I was then referred to a local therapist for treatment.

I didn't need a GP referral and everything was covered under the insurance. I was so surprised at how seriously the private medical provider took my problem and how efficiently they got me on the road to recovery. I didn't need to involve my health visitor or GP again from that point on.

Good luck.

[supergirl]

Me too i didnt want to ho through my GP so k looked on http://www.rscpp.co.uk/counselling/204/ ... tml?ctr=92 to find mine.

I had very specific criterias on how to select my short list (3 names) then i called them all, met 2 of them and choose the one i m still with and is doing a wonderful work with me.

But you have to be proactive and want to have help to help yourself. If not, not ampunt of therapy would help.

Good luck

[elderberry]

Belinda Wilson is on the 'good to talk' site and her own website has advice about choosing a good therapist, her experience and her fee schedule. She's based in North London though, but she offers counselling by Skype too.
http://www.islingtoncounsellingservice.co.uk
Best of luck.