After spliting from my partner of 15yrs, losing my house, kids, dog, well basically everything. I became depressed, I went to see my local GP who sent me to see some therapeit, who told me I was just being anxtious. Then the sale of our house went through and I had to move to another area, since then I have only been out of the house to go to work and once socially. I have no friends or family who I can talk to. If I try to talk to family I just get told you will get over it and count your blessing there are people worse off than you. Better add that I have been on my own now for three years. I work on my own and have next to no contact with people during the day, Moving to a new area meant changing doctors surgery and I thought they maybe more helpful than the last, but I was wrong, they are a lot worse. I have phoned trying to get an appointment, but all I got was a telephone call from someone (that seemed to pretend to be) a doctor. I was given a prescription over the phone for one months worth of anti-depressants. Which I took as described on the packet. After the coarse finished I have had severe headaches and phoned the surgery again asking if this was normal, but missed the return call as working and can't have a mobile with me. Getting no luck with my GP surgery I have tried to change surgery's but have been told by all that I can't as I am out of their catchment area. I have spoken to the surgeys manager who said she would look into it and never heard anything back. I tried to speak to a few other organisations regarding this, and to be honest no one seems to give a toss, just seem to be trying to fight a losing battle. Have got to the point now of just wanting it to end as I don't want to carry on like this anymore. Trying to get help and having the door shut on you time and time again.
you will get there in the end
I losted my girlfriend in may this year so am at breaking point i have things in my head to take all my tablets to be with my girlfriend
Hi Jason,
it it does sound like you have had a lot to deal with, firstly losing all of the things you mentioned is going to be almost like a bereavement so you will need time and support to get through this. Have you looked for support groups in your area ? As for changing g.ps you can call the nhs line on 111 and they will tell you what surgeries you have the choice of in your area. You really don't have to put up with bad service from your go. You are worth more than that.
as for work are you able to have interaction with anyone in the day at all ? Support groups can offer not just a place to talk but social integration too so that's very important
I know what it is like Jason, the trick is to put your foot down call the Manager and say to him quite sternly, "is this what you call communication, i bring you a problem and you cant even be bothered to write or call me back, iv brought the problem to you, so what are you doing about it!.
Dont shout this at him but say it like you mean it. I have had the same in hospital, if you are there meek and mild, and dont force the point nothing will get done.
They have a duty to provide the service, so let them do it, and if they dont tell them so. These days, you cant just wait and wait and wait, if you do that nothing will happen.
If your not getting the answers you need them tell them your not and insist they give the answers to your questions, and that includes doctors, nurses and reception, if your being ignored or no one is giving you answers, then tell them they are not being professional and they have a duty of care.
Go back and see the manager, let me know how you get on.
Paul it's so very soon to be expecting to be feeling better after a bereavement. Just a question..... Would your girlfriend want you to die ?
Life fe is so precious and I believe that suicide is a permenant solution to a temporary problem.....believe me I don't say this easily, I have tried to end my life many times and each time I have survived I have had a time of wishing I had succeeded but years later I realise what I was throwing away,. Please talk to someone, get some help and maybe join a support group in your area.
all the best
thats hard stuff you been through man, it seams ur family ur trying to turn for help have no understanding of your feelings, and ur supposed to get over it, as if u were a robot, it seams ur trying to do things by the book, continueing to work, taking ur meds as precribed by the packet ( no dissrespect as if ur a robot ) with regards to gettin GP appoinments, i think things are changing beyond their control, in fairness they are over worked, they get cuttbacks, and course new claiments they are unfamilier with, i guess will get over looked,
i myself cant help, as i'm in a similiar possition to you, if i cud end my life right now, i would, i'm holding on to my next gp appointment, support worker this coming tuesday, and finding it hard to look forward till then,
all in all, i guess life sucks
Thks Lorraine,
Have tried the NHS 111 number, they only seemed interested in whether I have been to Africa in the last few weeks, my answer was no and they told me to speak to my GP. I have spoke to every GP surgery within a 20 mile radius of where I live and been told the same thing by every one of them. Looked into support groups in my area, not one has returned a phone call. It's not that difficult either really, as I have an answer machine at home and voicemail on my mobile, but not even a message.
I have no social life at all, the very few people I know have familys and spend their time together with each other. During the week I get home about half five and don't see or speak to anyone till about half eight the next day, and at weekends finish friday (again about half five) and don't see or speak to anyone till monday morning. I know I am going downhill, but have got to the point where I don't really care anymore.
have you go a mind centre in your area ? Is that who you have tried ? From my understanding when we get calls for support where I work, we are not allowed to leave voicemails or messages on answer machines in case they are picked up by a loved one or someone it's not meant for so maybe if they have tried and not got you they may try again.
i think it's important for you to change gps or at least let them know that you are not getting the help that you want and deserve. It's your right and they do have a duty of care to you.
please keep trying, you need and deserve this support,
There is situation depression and clinic it sounds that this is due to your situation and the good news is although hard you can change this! U need to get a doctor's appointment and ADS over the phone is gross I didn't think this could happen !!!! Are u in the UK? Headaches are normal yes they have side effects that should ease over time
I have spoken to the surgey manager, she is about as much use as a chocolate fire gaurd. I have spoke to her, left messages etc etc. Don't know what more I can do. I have tried to change surgery's but get told that they won't take me on as I live out of their catchment area.
It's been about a year since I was given one months worth of anti depressants and have headaches everyday since, somedays worse than others.
Can't remember who I have spoke to regarding local support, nearly everyone I could find online I think
I didn't think that they would give me anti depresants over the phone but they did. It took all of about 45 seconds for the doctor to tell me there was a prescription waiting for me at the dispensory. Yes I am in the UK
I think if your relationship with the surgery isn't good then they are not going to be a good support for you. What about a walk in centre do you have one of those near to where you live, they are usually open til 10.00pm and also weekends so for someone that works long days they can be really good, they will also tell you about what doctors you could try.
if there is a mind or similar in your area try them and ask for support. In my area we have a few different choices and they vary in levels of support and also what they offer, I do hope you can get some support in your area.
take care
Paul, It's been three years for me. I would imagine if you can get help and support where you live it will get better in time. For me nothing has changed in 3 years, to be honest I would say it has got worse
Thanks for your help,
They shut the walk in centre about 18 months ago to save money
I feel like I have tried all avenues now, and will just have to put up with it. From what I have read depression and loneliness are very detrimental to your health so fingers crossed it will be over soon
Hi Jason, if all the advice here fails I would go to the nearest A&E dept at your nearest hospital! Explain how you're feeling, suicidal! Don't go at the weekend though as it's always hectic then. Take a day off in the week. Tell them you're not getting the help you need from your GP's surgery and are now desperate for help. Your GP's need a wakeup call and a complaint procedure is in order in my opinion. All best wishes that you get the help you need.
Couldn't agree more.
You have to be firm but fair, and really stand your ground in these situations.
It's so unfortunate that its when we are at our lowest we have to do this, if we don't have a friend or family member or advocate to do it for us.
The amount of times I've had to go into battle with receptionists, secretaries, clinicians themselves. It's very difficult.
You've given spot on advice.
Best wishes xx
Hi Ellie, thanks for the advice, just to let you I am not suicidal. I have no desire to harm myself. But just wish living ( well it's more existing) like this would stop
Hi Jason,
I'm really sorry to hear that things are bad for you, it sounds horrible
Have you tried booking an appointment to see a GP and talking to the dr about the surgery's bad practice? Usually the GP will actually take your comment on board and may have a word with the manager or be more of a help to you - alternatively, you could go in and speak to the manager herself directly, as the others have said, taking the firm but fair approach. Getting complaints through can be almost impossible sometimes so I wish you the best of luck!
Sometimes even if the surgery is bad there'll be at least one decent doctor in there who actually cares, it's just a matter of finding them!
Hi how awful and I really feel for you. Ring the doctors (you could try asking the receptionists for a sympathetic one) and make an appointment to see someone. Don't let yourself be fobbed off with just a telephone call and insist on seeing a doctor. Exaggerate if you have to but you have the right to see a doctor if you need to.
It's terrible having to fight for everything and I think all of us have and are suffering that now, especially with the state of the NHS and a Govt. which seems determined to destroy/privatise it. Bev x
That is gross that should never happened anti d's are not like sweets and they can cause people to worsen. How did u find the meds and did u get ur next set ? Iv never known a doctor not see you two weeks after starting ! I'm shocked. Change doctors I'd say. My gp sees me every two weeks to check on me even though I'm treated for postrich natal depression and anxiety by the home treatment at the hospital. It does sound like if you can change your life the depression would lift which I know is hard when u feel so alone. Iv not experience thus as my depression is clinic as iv no reason to be depressed at all 
are u still seeing your children ?