Please verify your email address to receive email notifications.

Enter your email address

We have sent you a verification email. Please check your inbox and spam folder.

Unable to send verification, please refresh and try again later.

  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Why am I too proud too ask for help?

    Related Topics
    Depression Mental Health
    i have suffered depression for 15 years, it ended up giving me epilepsy a year after (which is controlled by medication now). i never sought help for the depression and have just lived with it. my social life is a mess and i want to face my problems. when i have gone to the doctors intending to ask for help i just cant bring myself to raise the topic. i know i will fall to pieces when i try to say how i am feeling. i just cant get the words out.
    answer this question

  • Find a professional to answer your question

  • Anonymous

    Hi. I am not sure how long ago you posted your question. But I am in a very similar situation to the one you decribed. And I was wondering if you have taken any steps, and if yes, in what direction?

    Reply to this post
     · 
    Report
    Reply to this post

    You must be a Health Professional to reply to this post. to your account or now (it's free).

  • steven1

    HealthShare Member

    I still have not gone to doctors. i carry the surgery,s number in my wallet so i can call to make appt.. I will and more importantly have to do this. I want desperatly to move forward. I urge you to do the same. What say if i make the first step, will you follow? 

    Reply to this post
     · 
    Report
    Reply to this post

    You must be a Health Professional to reply to this post. to your account or now (it's free).

  • steven1

    HealthShare Member

    Will make a booking for late monday arvo. Will let you know how it went and what to expect. This will give me the drive to finally face this. Would you mind telling me a little of your dilehma, if you dont thats cool.  But please make sure you follow through with you going as well. This really does make it easier for me to do this . thanks

    Reply to this post
     · 
    Report
    Reply to this post

    You must be a Health Professional to reply to this post. to your account or now (it's free).

  • 1

    Thanks

    Anonymous

    Hey, how did it go? (Hope it went well).
    Not much to say on my behalf, I have just been on the “should I, shouldnt I?” rollercoaster of seeing a GP, psychologist or SOMEONE about feeling anxious and depressed all the time, for at least the last 10 years. I went to my GP in 2009, had some meds written up, but didnt take them for more than a month because I got paranoid I was blowing it all out of proportion and I was just going to become an addict :). And, woohoo! I got epilepsy this year! :)
    So how was it?

    Reply to this post
     · 
    Report
    Reply to this post

    You must be a Health Professional to reply to this post. to your account or now (it's free).

  • steven1

    HealthShare Member

    i finally talked to a doctor today about my depression and i found it surprisingly easy. i did not feel judged or belittled, i was asked a few questions , how long had i suffered depression, what started it, what brings it on, and a few other basic questions, i was given a multi choice questioneer to fill out in the doctors room, the doctor made an appointment with a psychologist for me who i will see on thursday afternoon. will keep you informed and hope you will now take the same steps. let the battle begin on depression.   

    Reply to this post
     · 
    Report
    Reply to this post

    You must be a Health Professional to reply to this post. to your account or now (it's free).

  • steven1

    HealthShare Member

    sorry did not make it, i seem to make myself busy and keep putting it off. i will do it. with your support it will mean i will do it. and i hope the same for you with my support for you. i think maybe seeing someone is a definite for both of us. i have had drug addictions in the past and would not be able to control the urge to take more than the prescribed dose of medications. i really need to let whatever i have burning inside me out and try and understand myself a lot better. i get the feeling you may have had substance abuse as well. when i first got epilepsy i started having panic attacks when outdoors. i made myself sit at cafes and just be part of the crowd  to overcome this, there is always a way to get over or around the problems we face. my epilepsy is nocturnal, only in deep sleep. my siezures were getting closer and closer in time before i went to the doctor for that. i hope you have gone. please tell me yes. 

    Reply to this post
     · 
    Report
    Reply to this post

    You must be a Health Professional to reply to this post. to your account or now (it's free).

  • Anonymous

    How many seizures did you have before they diagnosed you with nocturnal epilepsy?
    I have been taking keppra for epilepsy for about a month. Ended up seeing the dr and going to a psychologist. Started taking antidepressants last Thursday, but stopped on Monday, because its just way too much with the Keppra (its making me way too tired, and I hate it). Keppra is bad as it is anyway.
    I had 3 appointments with the psychologist, all of which felt like a complete waste of time, BUT the 4th felt like perhaps some changes have begun. So I am really happy about that.
    Whats happening your way?

    Reply to this post
     · 
    Report
    Reply to this post

    You must be a Health Professional to reply to this post. to your account or now (it's free).

  • steven1

    HealthShare Member

    well i had about 4 siezures before i even acknowledged i was having them, only two of those were witnessed and unfortunatly that was by my 2 young children , 6 and 8 yo at the time. i just assumed by what they said that i was having nightmares, i was in the middle of a nervous breakdown and nothing really computed in my brain. the 5th siezure was when i  woke up on the floor and  i had a large gash on my forehead and grazes on  my elbows and backs of legs. a woman i knew told me it was more than likey epilepsy so went to doctors, had to be witnessed so many times (cant remember how many) before they would diognise it as epilepsy. i let myself suffer many more before going back to doctor and getting medication (dilantin). but that controlled it yah!!! I did go to doctors yesterday and admitted i have depression. i was reffered to a pyschologist and  i went there today, it was just a data gathering session for her to work with and make plans. i dont expect a fast recovery but i do want one. it would be easy  for me to make excuses not to keep going but they would just be EXCUSES. i am going to push myself out of my comfort zone as it really is not a comfortable place to be. im so glad you have sought a pyschologist for help, and yes the dilantin i take also a strong drug and tires me out. Dont give up and i  will support you all the way, and i will seek your supoport as well. i really started my journey to recovery through your support. take care and keep in touch.  

    Report
    Reply to this post

    You must be a Health Professional to reply to this post. to your account or now (it's free).

answer this question

You must be a Health Professional to answer this question. Log in or Sign up .

You may also like these related questions

Related Fact Sheets
Related Questions
Community Contributor

Empowering Australians to make better health choices