When I woke up on Australia Day to see Professor Patrick McGorry was made Australian of the Year for his dedication on the work he has done on Mental Illness, it was divine timing with our BE OPEN TO DEPRESSION AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT Campaign that Amanda Cox and I are putting together. On the same day ironically my sister’s friend (who suffered from Depression) sadly Commit Suicide on that very day.
If we are going to combat Depression we ALL need to come together with a realistic and clear approach. Here are a few facts for you to think about-
Deaths due to Mental Illness is in the TOP 4 of Medical related deaths
Each one of these Epidemic Illnesses has Specialists in their field.
1. Heart Disease– General Cardiologists and Cardiac Surgeons
2. Arthritis & Musculoskeletal conditions– Rheumatologists
3. Cancer– Oncologists
4. Mental Illness– NOTHING. OK they have General Practitioners
5. Diabetes– Endocrinologist
Now I do not want to get into a GP debate however there is such a shortage of any GP’s let alone a good one. GP’s just don’t have the time or the knowledge to configure the right course of action for someone with Depression, so instead they put them on Antidepressants and organise no testing to see if it is Biological or Physiological (this determines that the right medication is prescribed) or no referrals to a Psychologist or any follow up.
According to new studies men and people who live in the Country are most at risk for being undiagnosed, so where do we go from here?
The Government needs to-
• Educate ALL GP’s through out the Country have a CLEAR protocol in which GP’s have to follow. With testing, referrals and follow ups.
• They already have the Rebates BUT
I don’t know about you but I have a hard time trying to get my head around what is available and what they have or should do, LET ALONE IF I ACTUALLY HAD DEPRESSION. It’s too confusing, especially if your mind is UNABLE to process information. They will put it in the too hard basket and too be honest I wouldn’t blame them.
If you have cancer-
• You have tests
• You see a Specialist
• You receive treatment
• You are closely monitored
It’s kept really simply because when you ARE SICK you do not need any other stress. You mind should be focusing on getting better, yes?
What I find the most frustrating is Mental Illness is totally treatable and those 48 million people who will commit suicide due to Mental Illness DO NOT HAVE TO DIE! It gives me shivers, it brings tears to my eyes and it makes me sick to my stomach. That it just DOESN’T have to be this way.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE EDUCATE EDUCATE EDUCATE
Disclaimer: This article was written from a personal opinion and I am NOT a qualified in psychology or counselling. If you do need assistance with emotions or mental health, to seek assistance from your GP immediately.
ok, so how do you "know" if you are depressed?
i got home from the doctor an hour ago. After finally deciding to seek some help for feeling a bit down and having a few problems with my partner i worked up the corage that I would ask the doctor for a referral to "talk" to somebody. the appointment was made for me and kids to get some immunisations etc and i decided to ask while there. it was embarrassing and i was so nervous and didnt get the help i was looking for. The doctor was rushed for time and said "are you depressed?" I said "no, well i dont think so" and she said well if its just for relationship counselling it will cost $130- so i said i can't afford that dont worry about it.
so should i have said yeah im depressed?! i dont know if i am… i dont think so, i dont WANT to be depressed but somethings not quite right. its not PND and im scared thats what people will think, but i have no problems with my baby and never did with my older child…. but whats the point of asking am i depressed??? your the doctor, you tell me….. so now i feel stupid for even asking the doctor and i dont want to go back to her because ill feel stupid.
so after all that,
how do you know if you are depresseD?
Hi Anonymous,
I am so sorry that you didn't get right diagnosis, questions, doctor, empathy or respect for that matter. It is the hardest step to ask for help like that then to have that happen just makes my skin turn.
If you have been feeling "off" for 2 weeks or more then you do need to talk to someone and the first port of call is a GP then they can refer you onto the right person.
If you are in Australia there are subsidies in place that help with the cost. Go to this link http://info.beyondblue.org.au/MAHP.html and type in your postcode and it will come up with a list of GP's that actually specialise in Depression.
Good luck and if you need anything please don't hesitate to ask.
You can email me on renee@braqueen.com.au
Renee xx
Hi,
I suffer from depression too and have been battling it for a long time through various therapies. I'm lucky that I am in a better place at the moment and have had help along the way. Depression is different for everyone, impossible at times and not everyone is lucky enough to have access to help.
So, we have set up a not for profit organisation called Building Resilience which is running courses to help those going through a hard time to make informed choices about their health, together with trained therapists and professionals.
The next course is starting on the 27th July in Brisbane so please do have a look through our site for more info. http://www.buildingresilience.net.au
Life should not be so hard.
Thanks for reading.
Nadine
Hi annonymous,
Congratulations for taking that first step. I'm sorry you didn't get the help that you needed.
Don't feel embarrassed about how you're feeling. You'd be amazed at how many of us in the world are feeling the same way.
Good luck.
Em.
Hi Anonymous,
I battled with depression for most of my adolescence and all of my adult life. I was not diagnosed until I was 31. And that's after years of seeing GPs for various ailments including migraines, stress and muscular tension. Nobody, until 1999, put it all together and gave me a diagnosis.
I'm now more educated about depression, about myself and about how I can manage it. But I am not "cured". It is something I live with, something I manage – with medication, with lifestyle changes, with learning to follow my heart.
I am extremely lucky in now having a fantastic GP and a team of professionals who look after me. But it has taken me 12 years to get here after being diagnosed. So don't give up hope! If you don't feel right, then you're not…. Keep asking for help. Eventually you will find it, I promise….
Thank you all so much for showing such great support!
Rxx