help needed with GP

[ki1977]

Hey 
Well I finally went to my GP, I'm not a big fan of visiting the doctor. However, it has come to the point in my life where I really need to do something.
Anyways, I explained about FTM and he seemed to really be listening.
However, I left the doctor with a prescription for anti-depressants and told to go back in a month.
Now, I admit I have felt down and I was prescribed these for quite some time. But, this was due to the fact that my mum had passed away. I wasn't expecting a quick fix, I'm just sat here in shock and feel that I'm going to have real trouble in getting my doctor to listen.
I'm just wondering if this is the norm for the gp or am I just being impatient?
Thanks
Ki

[spacial]

It's perfectly normal and accept that he is one of the good ones.

It's sometimes difficult for many people to realise but those who've been trained can spot depression and other conditions, simply because they know what to look for.

When you go back, he will assess you again. Then you can go into more detail about your feelings and ambitions.

Just take this one step at a time.

Be completely honest with him. Show him the respect he has shown to you.

[Zack]

I don't think that's the norm, but maybe I just have a great GP, because when I went he referred me to a Gender Clinic & didn't mention putting me on anti-depressants. My friend also went to his GP and got referred to a Gender Clinic straight away. Is that what you were hoping for?

[spacial]

Zack.

I understand what you're saying. But I was trying to point out that Ki's GP has noticed that he has a depression. The GP has, rightly, decided to treat that first.

Depression isn't an excuse. It's a real condition which affects people mentally and physically.

Once the depresion has been lifted, Ki can proceed with his discussions on his gender problems.

But in the immediate term, it is important that he is patient. Few of us know when we are depressed. Depression isn't sadness, as such, though depressed people do have frequent and long periods of sadness.

[Zack]

Well I have been to my GP about depression before a few years back but I refused medication & opted for therapy instead, probably why he didn't offer it to me when I went back this year and explained being FTM, maybe that's why I had the quick referral. So yeah I get what mean.

[pebbles]

I got somthing similar when I initially told a doctor 3 years ago I eventually took a "screw you too Doc" approach two years later realizing that it's possible that everyone in the whole NHS will be like that and started doing right by myself and ignoring his suggestions I was to be as independant as possible. I think it's the only way alot of pepole will end up taking you seriously.

Now it's just an alkward matter of trying to reopen dialoug :/

[ki1977]

Thanks for your replies
I do really understand about treating depression first.
But, to be completely honest I don't feel depressed....I know that sometimes people don't always recognize the symptoms. But, when I lost my mum I went to the gp as I realised that I wasn't coping.
I haven't been prescribed anti-depressents for over a year, and I'm uncomfortable taking medication that I don't feel would benefit me. I get up in the morning, take my kids to school and though things are far from perfect for me I really just cant see it .  Maybe I'm just being ignorant, and he genuinely has seen something I haven't. I was really hoping that I would be referred to a gender clinic. I have seen some information about a private clinic in London, but will definately go back to the GP first.
Thanks so much
Ki