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  • Shared Experiences

    Husband has been to 2 GPs about his Depresssion?

    Related Topics
    Depression Mental Health
    Hi, my husband has told me he thinks he needs to go onto anti-depressants, he as been feeling low for a long time. He has all the symptoms of Depression. He has recently seen 2 GP's but they have told him the same thing, that he needs to eat right and start going to bed early and do more exercise. My husband rehearses in a band twice a week for 3 hours each time playing drums. He no longer wants to be part of the band and starting to dislike the other band members. He stays up very late because he cant get the motivation to go to sleep.



    I am getting very frustrated with the GP's advice because it is not helping him. He even filled out a Depression Check-list which says he has the classic signs of Depression? I just don't know what to do or who to see who is an expert in mental health. Can any one help. We live in western Sydney near Penrith.
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  • beyondblue

    beyondblue is a national, independent, not-for-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related disorders in Australia.beyondblue is a bipartisan initiative of … View Profile

    Hi Marie-Louise,



    It certainly does sound as though your husband may have depression, the classic physical symptoms including sleep problems, feeling low, and losing interest in activities he once enjoyed is also suggestive of depression.  It is true that  if he has mild depression that diet and exercise can help but if it is more moderate or severe depression undertaking exercise will be an overwhelming task to even contemplate. 



    Can I suggest that you have a look on the beyondblue website (www.beyondblue.org.au) and on ther is a “find a practitioner” icon on the home page.  This link provides access to a list of GPs and other allied health professionals with specialist training in mental health.  I suggest printing off a checklist as well, completing it and taking it with him to the GP.  Antidepressants may be helpful and it's good to note that antidepressants are safe, effective and not addictive.  It may take taking one or two types sometimes to find the one that suits your husband and it generally takes up to a couple of weeks to take effect.  Also there are good talking therapies like cognitive behavior therapy which are helpful and can provide your husband with strategies to cope from day to day.  If the GP has level 2 training (on the beyondblue list) he can usually provide this or otherwise he can refer your husband to a psychologist or other mental health professional and receive treatment under Medicare. There is information about his on the beyondblue website as well.



    There is also a great free book called “taking care of yourself and your family” with lots of tips and strategiesin it.  You can order this from the beyonddblue website or calll the bb info line on 1300 22 4636 and they can send you a copy. 



    Let me know if you would like any otherninformation.  I know it's frustrating but once you find the right professional I'm sure things will get on track.



    Kind regards,

    Nicle

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  • Marie-Louise Gibbard

    HealthShare Member

    Thanks Nicole, I have made an appointment with a qualified Mental Health GP for my husband. I feel very frustrated that people are going to see general practitioners when they have no expertise in Mental Health which is such a large issue in Australia.

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  • Nicky @team healthshare

    HealthShare Member

    Hi Marie,



    Thank you for sharing and it's great that you are taking the necessary steps to help your husband. We hope that the Mental Health GP gets him back on track. Please keep us updated on his progress as we have many people in the community who i am sure are in a similar situation as you. All the best, Nicky

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  • Marie-Louise Gibbard

    HealthShare Member

    Hi Nicky, my husband has been to see a mental health GP last week, he has been diagnosed with depression, he has been put onto Lexapro 10mg once per day. My husband has quite is role in his band because he is no longer interested. Even though this is a relief for me, I don't know if depression has led my husband to leave the band or the anti-depressants have given him some motivation to say whats on his mind. Its all good though because now I know my husband is diagnosed.

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  • Nicky @team healthshare

    HealthShare Member

    Hi Marie, Great to hear from you and it seems that things are going well on your end with the diagnosis.

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