After trying everything from vitamins to cold and flu, a week later I succumbed and went to my local GP. However, I was not only prescribed antibiotics but was also queried about the need for anti depressants.
“Although short for time” My GP said looking at his wrist watch “I feel it’s important we talk about Depression”.
The ‘D’ word only tensed my achy muscles.
With no eye contact, he continued, “Do you know that stroke and lower mood can be associated?”
No derr. Was he serious? I thought doctors were meant to be smart! As a stroke survivor, depression is a condition that is siamesed to having a stroke. Your mood does fluctuate like a sea saw- high when something finally clicks after two years of practise; low when you once again need to ask for help. Despite having shocking physical balance, I’ve learnt overtime how to emotionally balance my own sea-saw.
Sitting there, I found myself a bit frustrated. A stranger had the nerve to probe me about my mood! If my temperature was 36.2º C, it was now off the scale! I stumbled over words trying to justify that I was quite emotionally stable. That my head cold had zapped my energy; forced me into a warm cosy daggy tracksuit and left me in a vulnerable state. I sensed by his blank gaze at the computer screen that my rationale was a waste of words and energy. I had come far in my recovery, but to him I was just a sad girl on crutches that needed more than antibiotics.
I stopped mid sentence. At that moment I forced myself to squeeze into his shoes. He was doing his job. It was an area that didn’t come naturally to him, but he was trying. I acknowledged that I knew the high association between stroke and depression. I reassured him that despite having both highs and lows, I felt I could manage my sea-saw moods at this time.
I left that medical room with more than a repeat prescription. One of a GP’s roles is to screen for depression. However, it was brought up so abruptly, when he was short for time, when he clearly felt obligated to discuss the condition. With depression becoming more and more common in our society, surely stirring the possibility and then letting me out into the world after the consultation isn’t effective. What if I’d said, “Well actually I think I need help?” In his restricted time, his awkward and forced communication skills, I guarantee that my plea would’ve only elicited relief that he’d screened me and a printed a referral to a psychiatrist.
Community integration is so important. However, I do believe that there are some issues that are better discussed within a ‘stroke group’ or mother group’ where there is a deeper understanding and time to deal with it. With community integration, the need for more support groups is so vital. Doctors do their jobs, but they can only be done properly if their suggestions are matched outside their consultation.
