Doctor or Councillor?

Hi I've been feeling very down and suspect I might be depressed, it's been that way for years I've just got no confidence and am very shy, like a lot of people on here really.

Anyway I finally decided to make an appointment to see a councillor at uni this morning (unfortunately couldn't get one until the 21st Nov but least I've done it) but now I think about it should I have gone to see the doctor first?

Reply 1

Renal

With this sort of thing, provided you're not acutely unwell and able to function, the best thing to do is to go to the person or place you feel most comfortable and most able to talk.

Reply 2

mollymustard

I dont think it matters. Maybe you could book an appointment with the doctor later on, but the councillor sounds like a good start.

Reply 3

ABeautifulMind

Talk it over with the councillor because he might feel you could do with going to a doctor if need be =]

Reply 4

quintsy

First of all, a big well done for making the appointment! It's usually the hardest part, and it will get easier from then on. :smile:

A large proportion of the time, doctors will refer you to a counsellor anyway as they are better equipped to deal with psychological problems using non-medicinal methods. So you have probably just cut out one stage in the process, although if you want to talk through how you're feeling and all of the options available in a more general sense as well, seeing a doctor at a later date could be helpful to you. Good luck, I hope it goes well! :hugs:

Reply 5

hollylily

Counsellor. Yes, go see the counsellor. :smile:

Reply 6

c.hatton

Again, well done for making an appointment. It's a big step. I would usually suggest a counsellor as doctor's appointment are sometimes harder to get than a counsellor's appointment but this case is different. The thing with seeing a doctor is they won't talk to you as much as the counsellor will and chances are they will refer you to a special counsellor. The doctor will try to rate how depressed are you and will give you options for treatment e.g. drugs, counselling etc or even nothing. I would advice you to make an appointment with a doctor and see if this option is sooner.

Reply 7

Helenia

hollylily

Counsellor. Yes, go see the counsellor. :smile:

I'm glad someone else said it before I had to! :smile:

Reply 8

Sweyn Forkbeard

I definitely think that going to see the counsellor is a better idea at first. A GP is likely to be more clinical and possibly dismissive, while a counsellor will be a much better listener - it's their job, after all!

If your counsellor feels that you should see a GP then you should do that though.

You're definitely not alone, by the way. I went to see a counsellor for the first time in my life today (for similar reasons to you), and it was a very positive experience. I think you've made a good choice.