Coping with negative/suicidal thoughts.

I saw this posted on Facebook today, I feel like this is quite relevant to the discussion.

I just need to have a whinge.....

So I've been feeling pretty badly, as I've bitched and moaned about for weeks now and I'm actually feeling a bit better, but last time I went to see my doctor.

I had something really bad happen to me, that may massively impact my future and I got really upset so I took a day off work. I sent my doc an email and asked for a medical certificate to give my boss because otherwise my boss assumes you are lazy or hungover. My doctor never replies. No huge deal, I forget emails all the time.

A week later I have an appointment and she's running 40 minutes late. Again I can understand, but still annoying. But in the appointment she can't remember anything that happened last time and what medications she started me on. Consdiering I told her how badly I was feeling and she told me last time that I could go into hospital any time I needed and to just give her a call, it's a little frustrating she has no recollection of this. The appointment ends and she says to come back in 2 weeks. But the receptionist says the next appointment isn't for another 5 weeks. I don't know what to do, so I take the next available appointment.

On Friday, her office calls to reschedule my appointment as she won't be able to work the day of my appointment and the next after is another week and a half away. So now I'm waiitng 6 1/2 weeks for my appointment.

I'm just so frustrated. I just need a bit of support right now, yet if I say anything I feel that I'll be branded as a demanding hysterical narcissistic crazy person.

And I've not told anyone how badly I've been feeling and I don't feel I can. I just don't know what to do.

I know it's really tough and I'm so sorry you're going through a bad time.

There are a few things I have to help me keep track of things: 1. Notebook for daily medication/appointments; and 2. Wall Calendar.

When you email your Doctor, can you print the email and take it with you?

Can you book regular appointments in advance? So ring up Monday and book a few appointments over 3 or 4 months - some fortnightly, the odd monthly or whatever works for you. Then you lessen the likelihood of having to wait 5 or 6 weeks. If you don't need some of the appointments then you can always cancel with a few days' notice.

We are our best advocates and as much as possible we need to make our doctors aware of things, even if this means reminding them. Remember that they have information on their computers - last time they saw us, medications we've been on and so on. It's really up to them to take the time during the appointment to bring themselves up to date.

Also, if your Doctor says to make a time in a fortnight, then it's really up to reception to find you a time in a fortnight. Not in 5 weeks.

I would ring the Doctor's rooms back and request a time earlier. If you find that discussing things verbally is difficult for you, then take in a list and hand it to your Doctor. Most good Doctors can read between the lines and recognise your mood - if you're feeling more depressed than usual, agitated or anxious. But not always and not for everything - taking a list is helpful for them and us.

What you typed for this forum, can you just change a few words and give it to your Doctor - so maybe it doens't like a forum post. Do a message to give to him/her and maybe then they'll understand. Our Doctors are not mind readers. I know it's hard to be assertive when you're feeling really bad, but finding a way to express yourself can make a huge difference in your treatment. If you have a therapist as well, then they can help you with this - they can also probably talk to your Doctor. Or can you take someone you trust with you to an appointment, even if only as a support person.

I hope you're feeling better and that you can see your Doctor soon, maybe an earlier time. Please take care.

JJ.

It is important to be able to read the level of commitment a professional has towards us. @Former-Member comment that her GP means well but is forgetful and over worked is probably applies to quite a few. ... it is only through engaging that we can tell ...

I used to make myself endure negative feeling situations ... I just kept making excuses for the other person ... family or professional ... and I didnt have any sense that I was worthy of good attention or to relax enough to know what that felt like and to be able to take it in ... the last 10 years have slowly changed that ... as I am making new health system contacts I am reading and hoping that I get what I need and can learn to ask for what I need. All that therapy has to be worth something.