Hi there.
I have a question that I would be so grateful for some help with, sorry it's a bit long winded...
I've had bouts of depression for about ten years now. The previous really bad depression I had was about three years ago. I got very physically ill, couldn't sleep or eat, suffered from muscle wastage and hair loss, had to use a stick to walk etc. I'd sit and cry none stop and at one point (which I actually have little memory of, my husband told me about it) I went outside in the middle of the night in a pair of PJ's and lay down in the snow in the hope I'd go to sleep and simply freeze in my sleep. Anyway, during this period I went to my gp's constantly for 7 months trying different drugs, counselling etc. My GP at the time was brilliant, he had such such a broad knowledge of different drugs. I ended up on Lofepramine, which, as it transpires, no other gp at my surgery has heard of...
Now, fast forward. I had to come off the Lofepramine after a year because the side effects were too intrusive for me to be able to do my job. Unfortunately the depression returned, but in a different way. I don't sit and cry, I'm not physically ill, I'm just blank. I occasionally have moments where I'll cry but 90% of the time I feel nothing at all. I have no memory of what being happy feels like. There's no enjoyment, not looking forward to anything, nothing. Just nothing there at all. I went to the doctors last month (the previous really good GP isn't there anymore) and was fobbed off basically. She gave me a leaflet about counselling. That's it. I'm going back however to ask about antidepressants again, but I know I will be given some weak generic drugs that I will have no doubt tried before (I've been on quite a few different ones) because none of the GP's at my surgery know a great deal about depression and antidepressants.
The problem that I would like some advice with is is there a way I can be referred to someone who could assess my needs more thoroughly? How would I go about this? It's so frustrating going to my GP, I feel like they basically pat me on the head and give me a sweet. I need someone who will listen to me, take me seriously and most of all know what they're talking about! But I don't know who or how to go about it???
Any advice would be great! Thanks for your time
Hi
You need to ask your GP to refer you to a phyciatrist as they are more clued up on this kind of stuff doctors don't seem to know what to do apart from write out a pescription in my experience
hi LilGem,
is there any way you could contact your old GP and get a referral from him/her?
Or perhaps you could see a psychiatrist as they specialise in the medication of mental health patients?
I have experienced what you describe before, both while depressed and also as a side effect of citalopram. It is awful.
I hope you feel better soon and find a good GP, whatever you do, don't give up!!
Keep us posted,
anonymousgirl
Just saw you suggested a psychiatrist just before I did Michael! I hadn't seen your post as I was still typing mine!
I agree with the others that you should ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatrist, but also ask to be referred to the community mental health team, who could give you support on a more day-to-day basis. Hope that helps.
Hi ya
That ok no worries anyway it's good that we all suggest the same thing
Yes, you do need to be referred to a specialist and your GP will almost certainly do that when asked - if not then insist - but the psychiatrists are not the only ones to see. I would say you could benefit much more from a psychologist. The problem here is that the NHS is desperately short of psychologists (because the pay and recogntion is poor) so to get a good psychologist you will almost certainly have to pay for private treatment. The major problem comes when a patient needs medication as psychologists cannot prescribe (but they can recommend) so you still need your GP and/or psychiatrist for those prescriptions.
It may seem perverse that the NHS cannot provide good access to psychology when that approach can be very good and does not always involve medicines. There are some psychiatrists who are also psychologists so it may be possible to find one in your area who will suit you. Go online to find out by looking at all your local NHS trusts.
Definately ask to be referred to a psychatrist and the mental health team. Trouble is it can take a long time to see a psychatrist but tell them your a priority. I too am going through a bout of depression at the moment so I know just how your feeling.
Thank you everyone for your replies! (sorry mine's a bit late!)
Thankfully when I went to my GP she was actually pretty good. I told her last time I was on antidep's none of the GP's seemed to know much about them and I felt like I was at a bit of a dead end. She said I was right and the majority of GP's had knowledge of only a handful of standard drugs. Anyway she said she'd write to a psychiatrist for me so hopefully I won't have to wait tooooooo long!
Great news LilGem! I hope you see a psychiatrist soon and I'm glad the doc is good - stick with her! 
All the best,
anonymousgirl x
I don't understand why the go hasn't deffered you to the mental health team, I am waiting on an appt with them as I am on 3 X lofepramine and I don't really feel too good at all.i feel suicidal and self harm and can't shif the black cloud that follows me daily.my go said they are not allowed to doctor the dosage I am on as the tablets are strong and as the other medications I have tried had little effect I must now see a mental health nurse.have you tried attending your local a and e dept and discussing this with the doctor on call? They really should have reffered you! Good luck, try to take care