Diagnose

Often the first action a doctor with take when faced with an apparent mental health problem is give the patient a physical examination. If you are not expecting this it can be off putting but there can be very good reasons for this.

Some mental health problems have a physical cause, so your doctor will want to rule this out first. If they find a physical problem this will be the first avenue to treat, however if nothing physical is found then the next step is to diagnose a mental problem which in nearly all instances this will be depression and/or anxiety unless there is an obvious other diagnoses.

However in the first instance the doctor may not initially want to give a diagnosis, preferring to wait and see how things develop, prehaps trying to encourage you to sort things out or wait out for a few days or weeks, particularly where there is an obvious cause such as a bereavement or a bout of Flu or similar.

In nearly all instances the doctor will ask to see you again in either a few days or week(s) depending on how they see the severity of the condition.

Treat

If your G.P. feels there is something there to treat you will likely be offered some medication. In most instances this will be an antidepressant, the most likely being Prozac or Seroxat, the two most commonly prescribed antidepressants. However in certain instances your G.P. may offer a different antidepressant. Very occasionally some other form of psychiatric medication will be offered however this is rare on a first visit.

Refer

Only in a absolute emergency will your G.P. refer you on at the first visit. In most instances they will want to see how you go. If your problems look as if they are caused by lives events and experiences then a possible referral is for counseling. Or where these are a little more serious or of a sexual nature a psychologist

However if they is a risk of suicide, or unexplained unusual behavior then your G.P. may there refer to a psychiatrist

Emergencies

Threat of Suicide

If you feel suicidal, call your doctor for an emergency appointment. Seek out a family member or friend to stay with you and talk over your problem

If you are with someone that threatens suicide stay with the person, if they are a member of your immediate family arrange an urgent appointment with there G.P. and go with them to the appointment .

If they are outside your family contact there family and stay with them until there family arrives .

Attempted Suicide

Dial 999 and call an ambulance if the patient is unresponsive or obviously ill . If the patient is in a reasonable state take them to the nearest casualty or emergency doctor.

Unusual Behavior

In none viol ant causes phone your G.P. or emergency surgery for a home visit. In certain instances they may send the on call psychiatrist

Where violence is involved phone 999 and ask for the police. Then seek medical treatment as appropriate.