Whenever I've tried to get help for my depression, I get told to do a self referral or ring up

BrianMcFaddenfan07
BrianMcFaddenfan07 Online Community Member Posts: 262 Empowering
edited May 2022 in Mental health and wellbeing
I was diagnosed with postnatal depression in around November 2002 which was when my daughter, who is 19 now, was around 2 months old. I was given medication. I was also offered counselling at the same time, but I didn't feel ready for it at the time as I was fighting to stop my daughter from being forcibly adopted. Unfortunately, I lost the fight to keep in the spring of 2003 when she was between 6 months old and 8 months old. 
when my daughter was between 12 months old and 18 months old, I was diagnosed with  clinical depression and anxiety.
Whenever I have tried to get help for my depression, I get told to either do a self-referral online or to ring up, but I get too nervous talking to people I do not know over the phone. Sometimes my nerves get that bad it triggers my asthma. 

Comments

  • BrianMcFaddenfan07
    BrianMcFaddenfan07 Online Community Member Posts: 262 Empowering
    Hi @Teddybear12

    I am on sertraline for my depression. I was put on 100mg of sertraline after my late dad was diagnosed with (and lost his short but brave battle with) terminal lung cancer due to smoking.

  • JustPete
    JustPete Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 303 Empowering
    @BrianMcFaddenfan07
    Hi.  Life does throw some bad hands out sometimes.  It does sound like you are having a tough time right now.  @Teddybear12 did mention speaking with your GP and I agree this would be a positive way forward.
    Please do let us know how you are getting on.

  • BrianMcFaddenfan07
    BrianMcFaddenfan07 Online Community Member Posts: 262 Empowering
    I'm on antidepressants for my depression.
  • JustPete
    JustPete Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 303 Empowering
    did you speak with your GP?
  • BrianMcFaddenfan07
    BrianMcFaddenfan07 Online Community Member Posts: 262 Empowering
    I've been on 100mg of sertraline since October 2018
  • BrianMcFaddenfan07
    BrianMcFaddenfan07 Online Community Member Posts: 262 Empowering
    I know that they're still working for me, but I do sometimes forget to take them tho.
    I don't even know when or if I am due a medication review.
  • BrianMcFaddenfan07
    BrianMcFaddenfan07 Online Community Member Posts: 262 Empowering
    I'm to do an e-consult later when my doctor's is open as I can contact the receptionists via the form which I find easier to do than ring up.
  • BrianMcFaddenfan07
    BrianMcFaddenfan07 Online Community Member Posts: 262 Empowering
    I will do @Teddybear12
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,468 Championing
    edited May 2022
    An e-consult sounds like a good idea @BrianMcFaddenfan07 :) I hope you manage to get that sorted today.

    As for forgetting to take your medication, have you tried any techniques to help you remember? This is something I can find difficult to remember too. Here are a couple of ideas:
    • Use a weekly pill box. There are 7 boxes, with each day of the week on. Putting a tablet in each box can remind you whether you've taken your tablet that day
    • Take it at the same time every day. This can help to make it part of your daily routine. Picking a time when you're likely to be at home and awake was a good start for me
    • Attach it to another routine. Building positive habits can be hard, but attaching it to something you already do every day can be a helpful way of integrating it into your daily life. For example, you could take it after you brush your teeth, before you have a shower, when you have your morning coffee etc.
    • Set a reminder on your phone. If you have a smart phone, you could try setting a reminder on your phone that alerts you to take your tablet at the same time every day. You could also try using an app like Daylio to track your progress
  • BrianMcFaddenfan07
    BrianMcFaddenfan07 Online Community Member Posts: 262 Empowering
    Ty @Tori_Scope
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    You are welcome @BrianMcFaddenfan07. Support is the very least you deserve.

    We are all here for you if you need help with anything or wish to talk through anything with us.

    Sending you hugs. Make sure you look after yourself!  :)
  • MarkM88
    MarkM88 Online Community Member Posts: 3,119 Connected
    In my area you can self refer with a form that you can email back, have you anything like this? 
  • BrianMcFaddenfan07
    BrianMcFaddenfan07 Online Community Member Posts: 262 Empowering
    Yes, but it's not for counseling as it's for CBT which is no good for me
  • BrianMcFaddenfan07
    BrianMcFaddenfan07 Online Community Member Posts: 262 Empowering
    Ty @L_Volunteer. 
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    You are welcome @BrianMcFaddenfan07. It is the very least you deserve. How are you doing today? I hope you are well but if you need anything, we are all here for you  :)
  • BrianMcFaddenfan07
    BrianMcFaddenfan07 Online Community Member Posts: 262 Empowering
    Ty @L_Volunteer. I'm ok ty. 

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