Doctors

[Guest]

I have been looking at other threads on this subject but they have become so cluttered I decided to start a new one. I am looking for someone to recommend a good doctor in st andrews who could help me deal with self harm, depression etc. A couple of weeks ago i finally dragged myself to the health centre but the doctor i saw was so unapproachable that i couldnt even begin to talk about anything with him and ended up muttering something about needing a repeat pescription for the pill, the whole consultation took about 5 minutes and I got the impression he really just didnt want to be there. Therefore can someone recommend someone, preferably a man, who they have seen and who has been approachable and helpful, not cold, distant and off-hand. Any help will be really appreciated

[laura25]

Hi,

I've had similar problems with depression etc and have seen a few doctors in st andrews as a result so here's my impressions so far:

Avoid: Dr Morrisson, Dr Wills ("you're not depressed.. you're just sad.. get over it"), Dr Churcher

Helpful: Dr Lamont, Dr Tait (sp?) and Dr Hankinson

Hope this helps, is only from my experiances though and I'm sure different people respond differently to doctors.

[yellowmoon]

Dr Mathewson is amazing, he is really easy to talk to, gives great advice and even managed to make me laugh!

Good luck.

[queen of scots]

Never had depression, but wouldn't recommend Dr Randall for anything...seemed really unsympathetic in general.

[KateBush]

Good to talk to but will write you off as a lunatic-- Dr Henderson

Quiet but listens and lets you do the talking- Dr Church

[Guest]

I have heard that Dr Nixon is really nice and helpful, also he isnt as old as the majority of the other doctors in the tait practice, I wasnt so sure about him (I saw him for similar problems to you) but maybe I just took him and what he said the way because everyone else seems to rave about him, good luck

[Iveagh]

Dr Hubert Morris is a gem of a guy.

[Buffy]

Nixon is my doc and he's great. I've talked to him about those issues you mentioned and more, and have been seeing him for about 2 years. He's really nice, and he will even let you book double appts to get extra time to talk to him -- the last time I was there we talked for like 40 minutes, which is definitely more helpful than 5 min with someone who doesnt care.

He's a younger guy (mid 30's maybe?) and, although I'm a woman, I find him very approachable, so I'm sure the same would go for guys too. He's pretty knowledgeable in that particular area, and can recommend other services as well, so definitely give him a call (he's at Dr. Tait's practice and their number is 476840)

[Buffy]

[s]Unregisted User wrote on 13:57, 17th Mar 2005:
I have heard that Dr Nixon is really nice and helpful, also he isnt as old as the majority of the other doctors in the tait practice, I wasnt so sure about him (I saw him for similar problems to you) but maybe I just took him and what he said the way because everyone else seems to rave about him, good luck

lol, I think it's just me who's raving about him. But, compared to the other Drs I've seen, he is much better. For the record, I've seen him for thoughs/attempts of suicide, depression, bulemia, self harm, anxiety/panic attacks, birth control, asthma and acne, and he's been good with all.

[Guest]

[s]Buffy wrote on 19:53, 18th Mar 2005:[i]
Nixon is my doc and he's great. I've talked to him about those issues you mentioned and more, and have been seeing him for about 2 years. He's really nice, and he will even let you book double appts to get extra time to talk to him -- the last time I was there we talked for like 40 minutes, which is definitely more helpful than 5 min with someone who doesnt care.

Hi I was just wondering how often do you go and see dr nixon? I mean does he get annoyed if you go and see him often or is he ok with that?

[Buffy]

[s]Unregisted User wrote on 23:00, 18th Mar 2005:
Hi I was just wondering how often do you go and see dr nixon? I mean does he get annoyed if you go and see him often or is he ok with that?

I think the best thing to do is to go set up an appointment with him and go from there, but I see him when he tells me to, not because I ask him to, so I think he likes to keep track of ppl and make sure you're doing ok. My guess would be that, after you see him for the first time, he might put you on a waiting list for psych help, recommend some ppl at SSS (Zanaida), prescribe meds, and want to see you back in 10 days -- obviously your experiences will vary, but he is very good about having ppl come back for repeats, and is more than willing to allow longer appts if you/he feels they are necessary, and this gives you time to talk to him so he can better understand what is going on, which will help him to treat you. Basically, I think you could see him as much as you wanted within reason (like, not daily, but probably weekly to biweekly if necessary). Definitley worth making an appt though, no harm done in that.

[Guest]

[s]Buffy wrote on 17:48, 19th Mar 2005:[i]
I think the best thing to do is to go set up an appointment with him and go from there

thank you so much for your help, think I am going to,have had a really crappy weekend (only half way!) Just really scared about what to say when I go in, dont want to end up crying infront of him, (dont want him to think I am pathetic!) Any ideas about how to begin to tell him whats wrong?

[Guest]

[s]Buffy wrote on 19:53, 18th Mar 2005:[i]
Nixon is my doc and he's great.

Just to offer you another opinion I went to see Dr Nixon after someone on here recommended him last semester and I dont think he really understood me or my self harm, he seemed kind of stressed and rushed and I left feeling really bad, not trying to put you off just giving you a different perspective from Buffy, have heard gilly thomson is really nice, guess it is just who you feel comfortable with.

[Insight]

I've done a placement alongside Dr. Mathewson, he seems to deal with the most psychlogical & mental health issues in St. Andrews - from what I saw, he's very compassionate, and will not write you off as either a timewaster or a lunatic.

Good Luck whatever happens.

[Buffy]

[s]Unregisted User wrote on 16:50, 20th Mar 2005:
[s]Buffy wrote on 19:53, 18th Mar 2005:[i]
Nixon is my doc and he's great.

Just to offer you another opinion I went to see Dr Nixon after someone on here recommended him last semester and I dont think he really understood me or my self harm, he seemed kind of stressed and rushed and I left feeling really bad, not trying to put you off just giving you a different perspective from Buffy, have heard gilly thomson is really nice, guess it is just who you feel comfortable with.


I've seen gilly too, and she is really nice, but obviously female.

As to freaking out in front of him, it happens, I wouldn't worry about it. I would also really recommend that you go to SSS and talk to someone there -- Maggie is pretty good. I've never seen a guy there, so I can't recommend any, but if you are willing to talk to a woman about it, I would definitely go talk to her to. For me, the more you talk to ppl like that about it, the easier it gets, its just the first time that is the big leap. It can help to write down everything you want to talk to your dr or SSS person about on a piece of paper first, so even if you get upset or off track, you can just give them that, and at least they will have a better idea. The one question that all drs have asked me is 'what do you want to do' or 'what do you think i can do to help you' I think they must be told to ask this, but it is sooooo awkward!!! I'm like, 'make me normal???' but obviously they can't do that, but I think they have to make sure that you want to get better. basically, write everthing down to make sure you run through all of you questions and concerns. I think the more you meet with that one person, the easier it gets, bc they start to know you better and know what they can and cant do -- they also know that if you come back, you really do want/need their help, so I think you've just gotta go and do it, crying or not . . . they are drs, they've seen it before, so don't be too afraid (easier said than done, I know)

definitely give SSS a call too and see if you like the services they offer. you're not out anything for doing it.

[Guest]

ok i think there is a conspiracy against me! Finally got up courage to phone and tried to make appointment with dr nixon and he didnt have any free appointments this week (unless it was an emergency and then I would of had to speak to the nurse first), then he is on not their next week, then the week after I am away home, think I may go see my doctor down in london, see if he can help.

[Guest]

thank you so much for your help, think I am going to,have had a really crappy weekend (only half way!) Just really scared about what to say when I go in, dont want to end up crying infront of him, (dont want him to think I am pathetic!) Any ideas about how to begin to tell him whats wrong?
[/i]

Did you have any luck with dr nixon? I have seen him in the past for self harm etc and he was excellent, think he must see a lot of people with similar problems because he seemed to know what he was talking about, hope he helped you as much as he helped me

[Pender Native]

Another perspective on the SSS, I went to see them just after my boyfriend was diagnosed with depresseion, he was in the psychiatric ward at Stratheden and I was feeling farily crap. The women I saw went on at great length about her ex husband who suffered from depression and basically told me that things were only going to get worse, that Danny was probably never going to get better, that he would become unbearable to live with and would start blaming me for everything. None of these turned out to be true, but at the time I left feeling much much worse.


[hr]

'I like to listen to a man who likes to talk. Whoops! Sawdust and Treacle, put that in your herring and smoke it!' - quote from the Bursar in Terry Pratchett's Discworld books. Hope that clears up any confusion as to my personal tastes!

[Guest]

Did you have any luck with dr nixon? I have seen him in the past for self harm etc and he was excellent, think he must see a lot of people with similar problems because he seemed to know what he was talking about, hope he helped you as much as he helped me

hi, no i didnt see dr nixon in the end because it ended up being really difficult to get an appointment with him, tried to speak to someone at home but it didnt really work, kind of lost my motivation to get help at the moment, just trying to study for the exams although i have kind of lost motivation for that too, just seems such a long time till they are over in a way and in another way they seem so close and I know nothing...

[Angeleyes]

Quoting from 14:31, 14th Mar 2005
I have been looking at other threads on this subject but they have become so cluttered I decided to start a new one. I am looking for someone to recommend a good doctor in st andrews who could help me deal with self harm, depression etc. A couple of weeks ago i finally dragged myself to the health centre but the doctor i saw was so unapproachable that i couldnt even begin to talk about anything with him and ended up muttering something about needing a repeat pescription for the pill, the whole consultation took about 5 minutes and I got the impression he really just didnt want to be there. Therefore can someone recommend someone, preferably a man, who they have seen and who has been approachable and helpful, not cold, distant and off-hand. Any help will be really appreciated

Dr Scott at st andrews health centre has really been amazing and has helped me through my difficulties.
I did exactly what you did for months. I would begin to talk with him and ended up muttering something about needing a repeat prescription for the pill. i felt so much happier within weeks and i finally realised what was causing all my problems. i had been put on medication also, but if that happens dont let that worry you. A year on I am feeling so much better and i am slowly coming off my medication

I don't know where I would be without Dr Scott, he is well worth seeing