Good luck! When I finally started getting treatment for depression a few months ago I opted to see a GP instead of trying a walk-in clinic, so I can't say whether one route is better than the other. Going to the GP, though, I did end up with a year-long prescription. When the GP came in and asked me why I was there, I said, "depression," and he started talking about how a lot of people come in saying the same thing.
He generally seemed to be implying that my problem was mild and maybe not even real, but that he'd play along and give me a prescription with few side effects just to placate me and maybe work the placebo effect. I walked out of the office that day with a med sample pack; when I came back the next week and told him that I thought it was helping, he wrote a prescription for a year. So, in order to acquire that prescription, since that was your question, what I had to do was to schedule the appointment with a doctor that was difficult , go to the office also difficult , separately tell the medical assistant and the doctor that I was depressed difficult, awkward , answer a few questions and then come back a week later and say I thought I felt the medication was working.
Even though I did think I was feeling effects, I know now that a week is almost always too soon to tell, and what's more it turns out that even after two months, I actually felt just the same as before. So I went through the whole process again, this time getting a different doctor in the hope that she would be a bit more understanding.
She was, and spent more time asking questions — which is really difficult and awkward, yes, but it's one of those necessary evil things, since the brain is complicated and it's worth avoiding getting a prescription that will just make things worse. If you can, find a sympathetic friend to lean on a little while you go through this even if it's just by accompanying you to appointments or whatever, you don't have to talk about your feelings , because it is hard.
There's no point in pretending otherwise. And even though you may doubt that you're depressed enough to merit treatment, it really sounds like you are. I had the exact same doubts until the second doctor gave me a questionnaire and determined that I was in the severe range. You do deserve help, and I want you to get it. My family doctor had prescribed two family members with antidepressants long term without them having seen a psychologist. I believe most GP's would willing and able to help you on your first visit.
After reading your entire question I'd like to add a few things. The visit with the doctor probably won't last more than 5 minutes. You'll get a few routine questions they aren't psychologists and they don't pretend to be.
From my experience, the questions aren't very intrusive , the doc will explain the medication and you'll be out the door. As for the length of prescription, you'll be asked to return after a couple months maybe for a re-evaluation, but I've never known anyone that actually did that. I believe the prescription is good for quite some time.. My partner's regular family doctor prescribed anti-depressants when he went in complaining of fatigue, aches and pains, inability to concentrate, and a general icky malaise luckily, the first prescribed meds did wonders in about a month.
There was a hospital-sanctioned checklist for him to go through with questions like, have you felt suicidal, do you have trouble waking up in the morning, how's your sex drive, etc.
However, the doctor asked him to come in at two or three week intervals for the first two months just to check up on how everything is going since this was the first anti-depressant medication he'd been on. The initial prescription he got was only for three months. Oh, I forgot to add--our family doctor is a general family practitioner, but apparently is also the depression specialist at our clinic.
If you don't already have a doctor and you want to make an appointment to see a new one, be sure to specify your reasons for visiting in case they can match you with an appropriate doctor. Personally, I can name a number of physicians I've visited over the years who I would never trust with prescribing depression medication. If talking about your depression is really impossible for you, write out how you are feeling and give it to the doctor.
I mean, write it all out in advance and have it prepared before you go, not that you sit in the doctor's office and write while he's waiting. Inspired by your question, I'm going to try this tomorrow going to a 24hr mental health walk-in clinic, in Philadelphia , and I will tell you how it goes. I'd go today if I had the money to get there would have to take more bus connections on a Sunday. Anonymous, I am so sorry to get back to you so late. I procrastinated of course and didn't go to the clinic until today, Friday, the busiest day of the week.
My experience: It was a 24 hour walk in clinic at a local hospital. I got there at 10am. Since the clinic is connected to a hospital, a number of the patients ended up being admitted. I just needed to talk to a doctor and get some medication. Since my case was not urgent, I didn't see the doctor until around 1pm.
Then I didn't get my prescription and discharged until pm. Please note, this was an inner city clinic and it was quite busy. Get Antidepressants Online Speak to a board-certified PlushCare doctor online and get antidepressant medications prescribed in 15 minutes. Get Antidepressants Online. Do Over the Counter Antidepressants Exist?
How it Works 1 Book Book a same day appointment from anywhere. Why wait? I do things slowly. Never Rarely Sometimes Usually Always. I'm hopeless about my future. Never Rarley Sometimes Usually Always. I have trouble concentrating. I feel that pleasure and joy has left my life. I struggle to make decisions. I have lost interest in things that used to be important to me. I'm sad and unhappy. I'm agitated and keep moving around.
I'm fatigued and it takes great effort for me to do simple tasks. I feel I am a guilty person and deserve punishment. I feel like a failure.
I feel lifeless. My sleeping pattern has changed, I either sleep too much or too little. I fantasize about suicide. I plan how I might kill myself. I feel trapped or caught. I feel depressed even when good things happen to me. Good things happen to me. Without dieting I have lost or gained weight. Taking an antidepressant for at least 6 months after you feel better can help keep you from getting depressed again.
Be sure your doctor knows about any other health conditions you have and any medicines you take regularly. This information can affect which antidepressant your doctor prescribes for you. Quitting antidepressants suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms or cause depression to return. If you are having a problem with your medicine or are ready to quit taking antidepressants, work with your doctor to slowly reduce the dose over a period of a few weeks. How to take antidepressant medicine wisely Learn about your medicine To get the best results from an antidepressant medicine, you need to take it just as prescribed.
Be sure you know: The name and dose of your medicine. How often you need to take it. How to take it. For example, should you take it with a meal or just with a glass of water? What to do if you miss a dose.
Should you take it when you remember, or should you wait for the next dose? Take it as prescribed Try to take your medicine at the same time each day so you get in the habit. Use a pillbox that holds a week's worth of pills. This can help prevent overdose. If you have not improved at all after taking your medicine for 3 weeks, tell your doctor. You may need to try a different antidepressant. Take your medicine for as long as your doctor says to. Don't stop taking it just because you start to feel better.
When it is time to quit taking antidepressants, work closely with your doctor.
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