I found it quite interesting how different my GP treated me for Post natal depression and how he treated my partner for Depression. When I went in with a friend he basically gave me antidepressants and referred me for counselling but no explaination on Depression or how it works and why its important to keep taking the Meds. WIth my partner a few years later he got the whole hogg and explaination on Depression and how the medication works and a script for sleeping pills to take. I just found it really digusting that there was a big difference in how Depression was treated by my GP for both my partner and me. It seems its okay that a mother struggles to make it through the day and get sleep at night and my GP just seems to hand out Sleeping tablets to my partner and it just made me feel like Postnatal Depression by some Drs isnt taken as serious than if a man came in with it. I didnt think that it was fair. Im finally seeing that my GP doesnt work for me anymore and this is not the only time I question his Judgement. A bit feed up
The difference in me getting treated for Post natal Depression and my partner being treated for depression by GP
- VaniaS
- New Zealand
- Total posts: 97
- My Beau & Belle
- ACT, Australia
- Total posts: 5818
That's very disappointing how different you were both treated. Was it different health professionals who treated you both? It may have been the difference in health professionals rather then the different diagnosis. Hugs xx
- VaniaS
- New Zealand
- Total posts: 97
No it was the same family GP that we always use. He does treat me different than he treats my partner. I find it sad really because I use to like him.
- sunshinevet
- Australia
- Total posts: 172
If its been a few years maybe the doctor got some further education on how to deal with patients with mental illness? Awareness on how to treat patients with mental illness has increased hugely over the last few years, including among medical professionals. It must be horrible to feel like he cares about other patients more than you, but maybe this doctor has actually got more education now and is making a bigger effort with all his mental illness patients. It wasn't long ago that basic education for GP doctors in the mental health area was severely lacking.
I'm absolutely not saying it doesn't suck for you though! If you're not happy, I would definately change - a doctor is someone you need to feel super comfortable with!
I'm absolutely not saying it doesn't suck for you though! If you're not happy, I would definately change - a doctor is someone you need to feel super comfortable with!
- VaniaS
- New Zealand
- Total posts: 97
Maybe but he sure needs education on more than just that too. I find his skills as Dr isnt as good as it use to be. My partners staying with him but Im not havent been happy taking my kids to him. My partners welcome to stay but were not. I just dont feel comfortable with him being mine and my kids DR
- rkk
- QLD, Australia
- Total posts: 1
i found the same thing, i really didnt get much help from a couple of GPs except to put me on anti depressants. i really wanted to know more about it and really understand it. i actually checked myself into st john of god hospital in burwood which was the best thing i could have ever done. i was there with my baby and my partner and being there with so many other mums going through the same thing was wonderful. i would definately recommend this to anyone and everyone, though i had private health insurance so it all went through that. im not too sure of the costs involved. there were also quite a few mothers that were there that were pregnant and depressed. i guess the thing i found most helpful was not keeping it a secret, being open and truthful and excepting help from others and just relising that everyone is different.
- Onlinedentaltips
- Australia
- Total posts: 3
thanks for this conversation
keep going
keep going
- Arisa
- New Zealand
- Total posts: 73
oh my gosh that is disgusting, I would complain and switch doctors.
My husband has been battling post natal depression and I have had depression and anxiety disorder for years so my doc knew my history when I got pregnant and had baby so I have been seeing regular therapists, getting family support workers and adjusting medications. My partner was given medication and told that PND is just as common in men as it is in women and he has been referred to a psychologist under the public health system for counselling
this is how your matter SHOULD have been treated
sleeping pills are no good if you are the one up with your baby at night, where does this doc get off???
My husband has been battling post natal depression and I have had depression and anxiety disorder for years so my doc knew my history when I got pregnant and had baby so I have been seeing regular therapists, getting family support workers and adjusting medications. My partner was given medication and told that PND is just as common in men as it is in women and he has been referred to a psychologist under the public health system for counselling
this is how your matter SHOULD have been treated
sleeping pills are no good if you are the one up with your baby at night, where does this doc get off???
- Chris80
- WA, Australia
- Total posts: 19
I am quite surprised that a GP would think they are qualified to treat clinical depression and equally surprised that they would prescribe sleeping medication to someone clinically depressed without further investigation/diagnosis... that's just asking for trouble - particularly if the person is suicidal. It's like handing someone a loaded frikkin gun! I know a few people who wouldn't be here if their doctors had done that!
Most sedatives are not safe for breastfeeding mothers, so the GP may not have given you those for that reason. Referring you on for counselling is not a bad thing either. Throwing anti-depressants around like lollies with no explanation is questionable though. Pretty much all of them have side effects and the effective dose varies wildly from person to person. I think the safest person to prescribe such things would be a psychiatrist, but that's just me. Get a second opinion!
Most sedatives are not safe for breastfeeding mothers, so the GP may not have given you those for that reason. Referring you on for counselling is not a bad thing either. Throwing anti-depressants around like lollies with no explanation is questionable though. Pretty much all of them have side effects and the effective dose varies wildly from person to person. I think the safest person to prescribe such things would be a psychiatrist, but that's just me. Get a second opinion!
- PAIRS
- NSW, Australia
- Total posts: 620
I agree with Chris, don't ignore your diagnosis, find another doctor (perhaps a female parent) and get a second opinion. Your GP seems to be a little biassed.