If your not depressed or seething with rage, your not paying attention per my doctor

[RazzleCat]

Just had my annual physical. While going over the check list up came are you depressed. I answered, well yes, but no medication is necessary. I have been rather upset, down, angry on the verge of tears since the election, don’t think you have a pill for that. My Doctors response, if your not depressed or seething with rage, your not paying attention, followed up with her rant re: insurance company paper work and costs. I found it refreshing to have her go off also, we spent the rest of the physical making comments, such as, Hurricanes, ACA, tweeting, language, she would say an outrage, I would respond with yet another. On a more serious note, she did note that she has been having an uptick in the amount of persons seeking assistance with depression. So not alone.

[redstatebluegirl]

1. During my physical my doctor asked if I was depressed.

I said sad, but not depressed since November 8, 2016. She said she asked because a lot of her "educated patients" needed some help with depression. No kidding...

[Corvo Bianco]

16. I guess in this case educated is synonymous with empathic.

[spooky3]

35. And maybe "informed" or "not willfully ignorant."

[taught_me_patience]

2. I don't think it's a doctor's place to discuss those things with patients

it's very unprofessional.

[Lonestarblue]

5. Its part of Medicare wellness checklist.

Doctors now ask patients on Medicare whether they are depressed as part of a checklist of questions about general health.

[volstork]

9. I am a physician

with 25 years' experience and routinely discuss such matters with patients. It is incumbent upon me to look at all aspects of my patients' health, and mental/emotional health is a critical part of that equation. That being said, I avoid political discussions unless the patient brings it up. I have done some reproductive rights advocacy in my community which has made my views more visible, so many patients will broach the subject in that way.

[taught_me_patience]

14. Discussions around depression are, of course, ok

it's the political talk and complaining about health insurance paperwork that I think are inappropriate.

[spooky3]

36. Every provider I have except one has talked with me

about the frustrations of paperwork. They're human, too.

[3catwoman3]

38. "That being said, I avoid political discussions unless the patient brings it up."

I do the same. I'm a pediatric nurse practitioner, with 41 years on the job. Pediatrics doesn't present much that is directly politically related, but I do routinely inquire about access to weapons in the home. These queries are typically received with appreciation, both by owners and non-owners. I also encourage parents to politely have a safety discussion with the parents of their kids' playmates. This recommendation is sometimes met with gasps of horror by parents who are not gun owners, and have never thought their their child might get harmed by a gun in someone else's home - "Oh my god, I never even thought about that."

No one has ever declined to answer, nor told me to mind my own business. I keep my opinion on guns to myself, unless a parent makes it clear that they do not care for guns, in which case I simply say something like, "It sounds like I am preaching to the choir."

[forgotmylogin]

17. Isn't it the MD's job to refer a patient to a psychiatrist/specialist

when necessary?

They don't need to nor are qualified necessarily "discuss those things" with you but they should be able to get you to the right person if you need to discuss them with someone.

[MontanaMama]

22. Seriously?

Depression takes a horrible toll on general health and well being. Whose place is it to discuss it if not a physician?

[taught_me_patience]

25. See my post #14

discussing depression is ok. Pissing and moaning about insurance paperwork or politics should be left out. It's not professional nor something most want to hear.

[Laffy Kat]

30. I disagree.

It's a good way to educate voters about what the physicians are going through. We need to know.

[MontanaMama]

33. Yes.

All of this should be part of the general discourse. We're in a mess.

[crim son]

24. I think is you and the doctor are in agreement, then it's fine.

If not, the doctor should probably remain quiet except where medicine is concerned. My doctor who knew me married and well-insured, and then unmarried and not insured, expressed his anger at the fact that even the basic fees were more for uninsured patients. He helped me navigate the system until Obamacare saved my ass and I am deeply grateful. Other medical professionals have shared their feelings with me when they learned where I stood on certain issues but I don't recall anybody offering an opinion before the subject was broached by me, one way or another.

[whathehell]

29. Disagree. Doctors are people, as well as citizens

and if their patients initiate the conversation, what's the problem?

[Aristus]

40. I discuss whatever my patients bring up that they think is contributing to either their physical

health, or mental and emotional well-being. As a Physician Assistant serving a population of homeless patients, I hear a lot about how politicians and the private sector make my patients' lives very difficult. More than empathy, they have my sympathy for the hardships they face, and the fact that the current Congress and administration are doing everything they can to make things worse.

It would be unprofessional not to empathize, or not to even address the issues my patients consider important to their health.

[Skittles]

3. the word is "YOU'RE"

and you need to find another doctor because that behavior is extremely unprofessional

[Bernardo de La Paz]

7. +1 on both of your points. You're correct. . . . nt

[Corvo Bianco]

18. We're all citizens in a world of reigning evil. I think it's alright to talk this out with people.

Especially when you find somebody who gets it. If everyone feels the same way, but nobody says anything, all of us feel alone.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

28. It's good to talk, but if the doctor needs talk therapy the examination room is not the place for it

[whathehell]

31. Maybe they don't "need" anything

but just want to respond to a topic their patient initiated.

[mantis49]

39. You're, you're, you're!

Thank you! If it makes sense saying "you are" use the contraction!

[cwydro]

43. I agree.

I've never spent time with a doctor discussing politics.

I spent a lot of time with medical professionals during my mom's illness and as she was dying. I had way too much else to talk about with them.

Politics was the last thing on my mind.

[silverweb]

4. Had my physical last week, too.

When I mentioned low-level depression because of "Trump Fatigue Syndrome," he said, "I know exactly what you mean. I used to watch the news all the time, but I can't now because I get too angry."
We're not alone at all.

[murielm99]

11. I just came from the dentist.

It seems that I have been grinding my teeth in my sleep again. I have not done that for years.

I said to the dentist, "It must be Trump syndrome."

He gave one brief, bitter laugh. His assistant, whom I have known for years, gave me a sympathetic look. It sort of helped.

[silverweb]

37. I think most healthcare professionals feel the same.

It does help to know that they do and I wouldn't knowingly go to one that doesn't.

One nurse did say rather sarcastically (in another time and another place), "I suppose you're in favor of universal healthcare." I said, "Absolutely! Why aren't you?" She just shot me a dirty look and left the room. Somehow I think she's in the wrong profession.

[IronLionZion]

6. A psychiatrist friend got lots of new appointments booked after

Dipshit dropped the MOAB in Afghanistan. People were panicking.

[rurallib]

8. had the same checkup about 2 months ago

she asked, I answered "who in their right mind isn't?" and we proceeded to have about 15n minutes of mutual catharsis.

[wryter2000]

10. I have writer friends who couldn't write after the election

I think they're all back now. My stomach is in knots much of the time.

I spend hours here searching for any news that justice will be done and the whole lot of them will be taken out of the White House in cuffs. (Mueller, where are youuuuuuuuuuuuuu?)

I treasure every little victory (when Trumpcare failed) and just pray for more of them.

[iluvtennis]

12. I love your doctor.

[Loryn]

13. I think my doctor is even more upset that I am.

She has consistently told me if anyone comes into her office with a MAGA hat they will be dismissed from her practice.

Can't really blame her.

[QED]

15. I had a similar conversation with mine.

Her first comment was "he has dementia."

[BigmanPigman]

19. Between constant ACA repeal attempts, sabotaging the ACA,

and the overall stress/anxiety and depression imposed on them for 9 months, the Donald is making this country as sick as he is. He thrives on chaos and creates it so now we all must suffer.

There isn't enough Xanax on the planet to get through 4 whole years.

[lovemydogs]

20. I want your doctor!

[VOX]

21. tRump & Co. are killing us with their insanity. We're pumping gallons of cortisol into our bodies.

The daily grind, with tRump's constant lying and let-'em-eat-cake attitude, is causing so much anger and sleeplessness, both of which release cortisol ("stress" hormone) into the bloodstream. Cortisol is the body's "do-it-yourself" steroid. Stressful events (the tRump presidency, and all that goes with it) can elevate cortisol levels in the blood for prolonged periods.

The long-term activation of the stress-response system — and the subsequent overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones — can disrupt almost all your body's processes. This puts you at increased risk of numerous health problems, including:

Anxiety
Depression
Digestive problems
Headaches
Heart disease
Sleep problems
Weight gain
Memory and concentration impairment

That's why it's so important to learn healthy ways to cope with the stressors in your life. Whatever works for you, do it! (Except heavy drinking -- that raises cortisol levels, too, damn it.)

[LuckyLib]

23. I told my doctor (joking) that I was blaming my malaise

and other stress ailments on Trump. Her response? "You are one among many. "

[MFM008]

26. Here I sit

In my mental health clinic...
Struggling.....
AND Tom Petty died......

[gopiscrap]

27. agreed

[democratisphere]

32. I'm certain drumpf is a major cause for depression in America.

Don't need to be a Doctor to know that.

[Doreen]

34. I would say I am a little depressed.

I am mostly overwhelmed with fear. For some of those who are on depression meds there is a possibility you will not need to worry about them because you will no longer be able to afford them.

[raven mad]

41. You can afford a physical??

I get cat scans daily................ and they purr nicely.

We have "insurance" through the company my spouse has worked for for over 18 years. We have a $6000 deductible. No damn way. SINGLE PAYER LIKE CANADA.

[Hekate]

42. How about numb? I've become numb.