When to get help for your mental health from your GP

Looking after our mental wellbeing is as vital as looking after our physical health but it can be difficult to know where to start and what types of support and information are available

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on Mind

Talking with our GP is often the first step we take in opening up about our mental health and asking for the help that we need. Knowing what help our GPs can provide, and how to make the most out of appointments, is important in ensuring we get the help and information that we need to stay well.

When should you visit your GP?

Many people will avoid speaking with their GP when they experience problems with their mental health; however, living with the symptoms of mental ill-health can be difficult and can lead to people developing more serious problems if help isn’t found. If you’ve noticed any changes in the way that you are thinking, feeling or behaving during the past few weeks or months that are concerning you and causing distress, it is advisable to speak with your GP as soon as possible. These things may include:

• Feeling low or constantly anxious or worrying.
• Thinking negative thoughts about yourself.
• Hearing or experiencing things that other people don’t.
• Thoughts about hurting yourself or others.
• Big changes in your moods – feeling full of energy for some time and then angry or upset afterwards.
• If your sleep is being negatively affected by how you’re feeling, or the thoughts you’re having.

How your GP can help

There are a number of ways that your GP can help when you talk to them about your mental health. The GP may:

• ask questions about how you’ve been feeling and the thoughts you’ve been having – which may help you make better sense of what you are going through and what support is available;
• refer you to local NHS mental health services which are able to offer individual support and/or group Talking Therapies – such as CBT and counselling;
• prescribe medication (if it’s appropriate) or make changes to your existing medication based on how it’s working for you;
• recommend simple lifestyle changes, such as the Five Ways to Wellbeing, that can help you self-manage your symptoms and improve your mental wellbeing; 
• recommend other self-management options such as Books on Prescription, and particular wellbeing activities like Mindfulness;
• offer information and signposting to non-NHS mental health Day Services, Wellbeing Groups and Activities; such as wellbeing groups like Grow;
• decide to refer you to a specialist service if they think that would be more helpful, such as the NHS OCD Clinic or Children and Young People and Family Eating Disorder Service if there’s a service that better suits your needs;
• invite you back for another appointment in a few weeks’ time to see if there are any changes in your mental health and the thoughts and feelings that you’ve been having.

Getting the most out of your GP

For lots of us, finding the words to ask for help can be a struggle – even when we’re feeling well – but if you’re trying to open up about your mental health for the first time it can feel even harder. There are a number of ways that you can get the most out of your GP appointment, such as writing down what you’ve been experiencing and planning what you will say. There are a number of free resources that explain how to make the most out of your appointments, written by leading mental health organisations:

Find the words.PDF

How to talk to your GP about you mental health.PDF

What to expect from your doctor – a guide for patients.pdf