Comments for mood matters http://www.actionondepression.org/mood_matters a menu for mood Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:50:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on 1. Give yourself an MOT! by Gemma http://www.actionondepression.org/mood_matters/give-yourself-an-mot/comment-page-1/#comment-184 Gemma Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:50:55 +0000 http://www.dascot.org/mood_matters/?p=35#comment-184 I sought professional help when I became severely depressed and in addition to the admin comment, when I have had to declare it in a job interview and a uni interview, it has never held me back and I was accepted for both. If they want you, the main reason they'll ask you is so they can provide necessary support if required. I sought professional help when I became severely depressed and in addition to the admin comment, when I have had to declare it in a job interview and a uni interview, it has never held me back and I was accepted for both. If they want you, the main reason they’ll ask you is so they can provide necessary support if required.

]]> Comment on 1. Give yourself an MOT! by admin http://www.actionondepression.org/mood_matters/give-yourself-an-mot/comment-page-1/#comment-165 admin Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:04:18 +0000 http://www.dascot.org/mood_matters/?p=35#comment-165 It's now against the law for companies to ask health questions on application forms. They can only ask the questions listed on this page: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Employmentsupport/LookingForWork/DG_4000219 They can ask more questions when they offer you a job but they can't discriminate against you by law. I know it's not always as clear-cut as that but hope it puts your mind at rest a bit. As for seeing your GP it's a matter of personal choice - there are bad GPs and there are good ones, but if you don't want to see a GP, there are alternatives available and it doesn't mean you won't be able to recover from depression. Email us at info@dascot.org if you want to know more about the alternatives or keep an eye out for new website which is launching next Wednesday has more information about seeing your GP and about other options for treating depression. I'll post the links when the website has launched next week. It’s now against the law for companies to ask health questions on application forms. They can only ask the questions listed on this page: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Employmentsupport/LookingForWork/DG_4000219

They can ask more questions when they offer you a job but they can’t discriminate against you by law. I know it’s not always as clear-cut as that but hope it puts your mind at rest a bit.

As for seeing your GP it’s a matter of personal choice – there are bad GPs and there are good ones, but if you don’t want to see a GP, there are alternatives available and it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to recover from depression.

Email us at info@dascot.org if you want to know more about the alternatives or keep an eye out for new website which is launching next Wednesday has more information about seeing your GP and about other options for treating depression.

I’ll post the links when the website has launched next week.

]]> Comment on 1. Give yourself an MOT! by Derek http://www.actionondepression.org/mood_matters/give-yourself-an-mot/comment-page-1/#comment-164 Derek Thu, 09 Jun 2011 10:26:02 +0000 http://www.dascot.org/mood_matters/?p=35#comment-164 I'd be very careful about seeking professional help as it's not unusual for job application forms to ask if you have ever had professional help for mental health issues. I’d be very careful about seeking professional help as it’s not unusual for job application forms to ask if you have ever had professional help for mental health issues.

]]> Comment on 1. Give yourself an MOT! by John White http://www.actionondepression.org/mood_matters/give-yourself-an-mot/comment-page-1/#comment-163 John White Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:52:37 +0000 http://www.dascot.org/mood_matters/?p=35#comment-163 Stepping Stones Organisation (Mental Health) offer free counselling to individuals who live in the West Dunbartonshire area. You can self refer, although there may be a short waiting time before you are seen. Check our website out at www.stepstones.org.uk. Stepping Stones Organisation (Mental Health) offer free counselling to individuals who live in the West Dunbartonshire area. You can self refer, although there may be a short waiting time before you are seen. Check our website out at http://www.stepstones.org.uk.

]]> Comment on 1. Give yourself an MOT! by Jane http://www.actionondepression.org/mood_matters/give-yourself-an-mot/comment-page-1/#comment-147 Jane Tue, 10 May 2011 15:53:12 +0000 http://www.dascot.org/mood_matters/?p=35#comment-147 It is totally luck of the draw whether you get a GP to actually listen to what you are telling them - and if you are feeling vulnerable in the first place, this uncertainty is not a good start. It is totally luck of the draw whether you get a GP to actually listen to what you are telling them – and if you are feeling vulnerable in the first place, this uncertainty is not a good start.

]]> Comment on 1. Give yourself an MOT! by Elaine http://www.actionondepression.org/mood_matters/give-yourself-an-mot/comment-page-1/#comment-128 Elaine Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:20:03 +0000 http://www.dascot.org/mood_matters/?p=35#comment-128 I was very lucky to have a GP who was informed and inclusive in finding the best treatment for me, and have kept well for the past two years. I think it's really important to try the GP even if there is a feeling that nothing will work, because feeling that nothing will work is sometimes part of being depressed. I was very lucky to have a GP who was informed and inclusive in finding the best treatment for me, and have kept well for the past two years. I think it’s really important to try the GP even if there is a feeling that nothing will work, because feeling that nothing will work is sometimes part of being depressed.

]]> Comment on 1. Give yourself an MOT! by Mark @ DAS http://www.actionondepression.org/mood_matters/give-yourself-an-mot/comment-page-1/#comment-108 Mark @ DAS Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:35:41 +0000 http://www.dascot.org/mood_matters/?p=35#comment-108 Hi Thanks for your comment. Sorry to hear you have had trouble trying to access support and this has been so frustrating for you. Your GP is often the first port of call for accessing mental health services so for this reason we encourage people to take the first step towards getting help by making an appointment. Sorry you have had a bad experience with your GP. It is worth remembering that it is within your rights to see a different GP if you are not happy with your current one. It may be worthwhile getting back in contact with your mental health team if you think they have made an error. You can explain to them that you heard nothing from them and are keen to see a counsellor. Another option is accessing counselling without referral from your GP. There are low-cost counselling schemes in most areas that you can phone up and arrange an appointment yourself. These sometimes charge on a sliding scale according to what you can afford. If you email us at info@dascot.org with the area in which you live we can search for what may be available to you. Unfortunately sometimes there are long waiting lists on the NHS and some GPs are better than others at referring patients with depression for counselling etc. I hope that despite this you are able to persist in accessing support through your GP or outwith the NHS. You can read more ideas for things you can do to treat your depression on our website at http://www.dascot.org/depression/treatment/ Best Wishes Mark Hi

Thanks for your comment. Sorry to hear you have had trouble trying to access support and this has been so frustrating for you. Your GP is often the first port of call for accessing mental health services so for this reason we encourage people to take the first step towards getting help by making an appointment. Sorry you have had a bad experience with your GP. It is worth remembering that it is within your rights to see a different GP if you are not happy with your current one.

It may be worthwhile getting back in contact with your mental health team if you think they have made an error. You can explain to them that you heard nothing from them and are keen to see a counsellor.

Another option is accessing counselling without referral from your GP. There are low-cost counselling schemes in most areas that you can phone up and arrange an appointment yourself. These sometimes charge on a sliding scale according to what you can afford. If you email us at info@dascot.org with the area in which you live we can search for what may be available to you.

Unfortunately sometimes there are long waiting lists on the NHS and some GPs are better than others at referring patients with depression for counselling etc. I hope that despite this you are able to persist in accessing support through your GP or outwith the NHS.

You can read more ideas for things you can do to treat your depression on our website at http://www.dascot.org/depression/treatment/

Best Wishes
Mark

]]> Comment on 1. Give yourself an MOT! by aksjhc haskh http://www.actionondepression.org/mood_matters/give-yourself-an-mot/comment-page-1/#comment-106 aksjhc haskh Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:37:06 +0000 http://www.dascot.org/mood_matters/?p=35#comment-106 I have been to my GP several times over the years. they just give me pills which never work. i have asked to be referred for counciling and was fobed of many times. one doctor did eventually refer me, and about 3 months later i got a letter from the mental health department saying that as they hadn't heard from me they had discharged me! I'm sick of hearing "go to your GP" i wish i could go straight into a psychiatrists office and make my own appointment. It is very difficult to motivate yourself to do anything when you feel this way, so going to your GP when you know it will be a waste of time is not something that i would recommend. I have been to my GP several times over the years. they just give me pills which never work. i have asked to be referred for counciling and was fobed of many times. one doctor did eventually refer me, and about 3 months later i got a letter from the mental health department saying that as they hadn’t heard from me they had discharged me! I’m sick of hearing “go to your GP” i wish i could go straight into a psychiatrists office and make my own appointment. It is very difficult to motivate yourself to do anything when you feel this way, so going to your GP when you know it will be a waste of time is not something that i would recommend.

]]> Comment on Susanne’s video by Anthony Taboureau http://www.actionondepression.org/mood_matters/susannes-video/comment-page-1/#comment-57 Anthony Taboureau Mon, 18 Oct 2010 22:58:00 +0000 http://www.dascot.org/mood_matters/?p=238#comment-57 Listening to music on my headphones while either resting or walking or sitting in the fresh air is a real help. Listening to music on my headphones while either resting or walking or sitting in the fresh air is a real help.

]]> Comment on 9. Complement your efforts by admin http://www.actionondepression.org/mood_matters/complement-your-efforts/comment-page-1/#comment-56 admin Mon, 18 Oct 2010 11:30:48 +0000 http://www.dascot.org/mood_matters/?p=163#comment-56 Yes some people say that about complementary therapies and others find them helpful. It is certainly true that they don't have the scientific evidence behind them that other therapies have. The idea behind this mood menu is to give people a variety of options to pick from so they can try things that appeal to them. Different things help different people and it's a case of finding what works for you. We've written in more depth about complementary therapies on our Look OK...Feel Crap? site http://www.lookokfeelcrap.org/getting-help/complementary-therapies Yes some people say that about complementary therapies and others find them helpful. It is certainly true that they don’t have the scientific evidence behind them that other therapies have.

The idea behind this mood menu is to give people a variety of options to pick from so they can try things that appeal to them. Different things help different people and it’s a case of finding what works for you. We’ve written in more depth about complementary therapies on our Look OK…Feel Crap? site http://www.lookokfeelcrap.org/getting-help/complementary-therapies

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