Dealing with Depression and Anxiety
Coming to the doctor to talk about depression or anxiety?
Talking to your GP about a change in your mental health is a very good place to start to get you on the road to recovery. GPs care for many people who are feeling low or distressed. They can help you find a way back to a better frame of mind.
If you are coming to see the doctor about feeling sad, overly worried, irritated, or generally tired and stressed, there are some things you can do to get the most out of the consultation.
1. Keep a diary leading up to the consultation. Some things doctors are interested in include:
- what time you went to bed
- what time you got up in the morning
- use of alcohol or other drugs
- mood – how did you feel each day
- any particularly bad times, and what happened at that time
- any particularly good times, and events around that
An example of an excellent mood diary is this daily mood chart from the Black Dog Institute.
2. Take a standardised questionnaire about mood. There are some questionnaires that help your doctor know where you are at – try the K10 here. *need to update this form link*
If you are pregnant or have a new baby, it may be useful instead to try the Edinburgh postnatal depression score, here. *need to update this form link*
Each of these can be printed out, filled in and reviewed with your doctor at your consultation.
3. Book a longer appointment. It will take time for you and your doctor to talk about your problems, and come up with the best treatment plan. A 30 minute appointment is suitable for this. We have many of these available, so please ask when making the appointment for a long appointment.
4. Come with an open mind. Many things help improve mood, but they all involve change from one’s current lifestyle, habits and thoughts. It can be challenging to be kinder to yourself, change your habits, walk more, drink less and go to talk to a mental health professional or take medication. However in the end, it will make life much better for the person suffering from depression or anxiety, and their family, so be prepared to consider all the options to find what is best for you.
There are Medicare rebates for psychological services available if it is decided that this will be beneficial.
Important News
Dealing with the Flu
Influenza is caused by a virus. Most people recover after a few days, but in some it can be life-threatening. To avoid influenza, have an annual influenza vaccination. If you have influenza, cover your coughs and sneezes, wash your hands before touching others, and stay at home.
Dealing with Depression and Anxiety
Talking to your GP about a change in your mental health is a very good place to start to get you on the road to recovery. GPs care for many people who are feeling low or distressed. They can help you find a way back to a better frame of mind.
Quit Smoking – Preparation is the key!
The more prepared and motivated you are, the more likely you are to succeed in quitting. Developing a quit plan can help. The benefits that you have to gain as a non-smoker outweigh the short-term difficulties of quitting.
Do you need an IUD inserted and/or removed?
IUD’s are safe, cheap and effective contraception, and work well to control heavy periods.
Do you need a skin lesion looked at or removed?
Which ever doctor you choose here at Blackbutt, they will be very happy to give you thorough skin check.
Why it’s important to identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander patient
Identifying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients is important because it makes a difference to clinical care.
Cervical Screening has changed
As many of you will already be aware, from December 2017 Australia changed the program for screening for cervical cancer.
Are you using a Proton Pump Inhibitor?
Proton pump inhibitors (you might know them by the names of Somac or Nexium), are among the most commonly prescribed medications in the Australian community.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flu Vaccination
With flu season on the horizon it’s important to get educated about how to best minimise your chance of contracting and spreading the flu, and vaccination is the best way to do this!
Sleep and Insomnia
Sleep disorders are a very common reason for presentation to the GP. Sleep is so important to your physical and mental health so it’s crucial that if you are consistently having trouble sleeping that you discuss this with your GP.
Being connected to your health has never been easier!
At Blackbutt Doctors, we are incorporating technology to make communication about your health as easy and convenient as possible.
Changes to Billing for TeleHealth Appointments
Important patient information regarding changes in billing for TeleHealth appointments.
Blackbutt Clinical Centre win PHN’s ‘Supporting Patients Through Technology’ Award
Blackbutt were awarded for ” Supporting Patients Through Technology” last night at the Primary Health Networks’ Primary Care Quality and Innovation Awards 2021.
Infectious Symptoms Clinic Ceasing
From Monday the 20th of March 2023 there will be a different way to manage clinic appointments.
AI transcription for note-taking during consultations.
Starting Monday, August 5th, our general practice will implement AI transcription for note-taking during consultations.
Breast Screening and Breast Density
Understanding Breast Density: What You Need to Know
Changes to Mental Health Appointments Under Medicare
Medicare is introducing updates to the Better Access mental health program to help improve continuity of care and support ongoing patient wellbeing.
Important Centre Update – Bulk Billing
From 1 November, you may encounter media coverage suggesting that general practices are “returning to bulk billing.” We wish to be transparent—this change does not apply to our clinic.
Welcoming Dr Andrew French to Blackbutt Doctors
Blackbutt Clinical Centre is pleased to welcome Dr Andrew French to our growing team of dedicated general practitioners.