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Medical Centre Registration |
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It is a university regulation that you must register with a general practitioner in the Norwich area (even if you are here only for one semester).
Please click here for more details
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Tuberculosis (TB) Screening |
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Have you come from abroad? Click on the link below to see if you come from a country classed as a TB 'high risk' country. If your country is listed, it is a University regulation that you are TB screened. Make an appointment to be screened for TB by calling the Medical Centre on 01603 251600.
Click HERE for more details...
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Introduction
Depression is a very common experience. Everyone feels fed up, miserable or sad sometimes. Sometimes the reason seems obvious; family problems, financial hardship, exam or job worries can cause any of us to feel unhappy for a short period.
On the other hand depression can be so severe that life hardly feels worth living and sufferers often find they just cannot cope with things that they used to. These feelings can be intense and can go on for months rather than a few days or a fortnight. Depression of this degree is a biological illness that can be treated in most cases easily and effectively.
Causes of depression Usually there is more than one reason for a depressive illness and these differ from one person to another. In some cases it is believed a stressful event will set off the condition but often depression comes out of the blue without any obvious trigger. A person's family history or personality may play a part.
Although anyone can become depressed under certain circumstances, some of us seem more vulnerable than others. This may be as a result of a variety of factors such as:
* Personality or genetic make up
* Experiences in early life
* Circumstances such as leaving home, starting a new university course or new job, having no friends around
* Physical illness such as viral infections like flu or painful conditions
* Anxiety or worry about work, study, exams or finances.
If any or all these factors cause a major depression it can result in an imbalance in the natural brain chemistry and lead to the symptoms of a depressive illness. Seeking help It is important to realise that admitting you feel depressed is not a sign of weakness.
Feelings of hopelessness can cause depressed people to believe incorrectly that they can't be helped. Remember, treatment and help are available. Depression can affect your work, your interests, your feelings towards your family and friends. If your concentration and motivation is badly affected you may find studying or work very difficult.
If the depression has come on slowly you may have tried to overcome it by being extra busy causing more stress and exhaustion. Sometimes depression may not show itself as unhappiness but cause you to feel generally unwell, perhaps with odd aches and pains, headaches or sleeplessness. In clinical depression low mood and other symptoms continue each day for 2 weeks or more and may become severe enough to interfere with day to day functions.
Following is a list of symptoms that can help you, your family or your doctor decide that you are suffering from depression:
* Feelings of unhappiness that don't go away
* Feeling useless, inadequate, hopeless or guilty
* Losing self confidence
* Losing interest in life
* Becoming unable to enjoy anything
* Finding it hard to concentrate and apply yourself to your studies or work
* Finding it hard to make even simple decisions
* Feeling utterly tired
* Feeling restless or agitated
* Losing appetite and weight although some people find they do the reverse and put on weight
* Difficulty in sleeping
* Waking up much earlier than usual
* Going off sex
* Avoiding other people
* Feeling worse at a particular time of day, usually the mornings
* Thinking of suicide. This is very common in depression and much better talked about than ignored.
What to do if you feel that something may be wrong
Everyone needs someone who will take the time and trouble to listen when there are problems or worries. It may be enough to talk things over with a relative or friend who may be able to help you through a bad patch.
Students may find it helpful to discuss how they are feeling and coping with your studies with an academic tutor. If you are a student you can go to the University Counselling Service without an appointment from the doctor.
If you are a member of the University staff there is a designated counsellor and you can make arrangements for an appointment at the University Counselling Service. If these things don't seem to help or you find yourself feeling that life is not worth living and that other people would be better off without you it is probably time to visit the Medical Centre and speak either to a nurse or one of the doctors.
The Medical Centre
Don't hesitate to seek help if you feel there is something wrong. The important thing to remember is that you are not alone. One in 8 people go to their doctor to talk about emotional problems each year and the staff at the Medical Centre are there to help you as an individual.
Treatment
Most people with depression can be treated by the staff at the Medical Centre.
Usually you will see one of the doctors and, depending on your symptoms, the severity of the depression and your circumstances, the doctor may suggest some form of talking treatment, antidepressant tablets or both.
Talking Treatment
Simply talking about your feelings may be helpful, however depressed you are. Exploring and confronting the reasons behind your depression takes energy and motivation - this may not be possible if your depression is severe.
Sometimes it is hard to express your real feelings, even to close friends. Talking things through with a trained counsellor or therapist can bring tremendous relief. If you are a student you may be directed to the University Counselling Service. Alternatively our patients who are not students can see one of our counsellors who works from the Medical Centre.
Cognitive therapy involves helping the depressed person to deal with negative aspects of the way he or she thinks about self, the environment and the future. This sort of therapy may be available from a trained therapist. You may be referred by one of the doctors.
Antidepressants
If your depression is severe or goes on for a long time your doctor may suggest you take a course of antidepressants. These are not tranquillisers although they may help you to feel less anxious and agitated.
They are not addictive and they help people with depression to feel and cope better so they can start to enjoy life again, deal with their problems and become effective at work or in their studies. Antidepressant medication corrects the imbalance in your brain chemistry. Over 70% of people respond rapidly to this approach with their lives returning to normal within a few months. It is important to remember that, unlike many medicines, you won't feel the benefit of antidepressants straight away.
People often don't notice any improvement in their mood for 2 or 3 weeks although some of the other problems improve more rapidly; for instance within the first few days you may be sleeping better and feeling less anxious. Like all medicines antidepressants do have some side effects although these are usually mild and tend to wear off as the treatment goes on. Some can cause a dry mouth, constipation or sleepiness during the day. If you do feel drowsy you should not drive or work with machinery until the effect wears off.
Other antidepressants can cause slight nausea and gastric discomfort which again usually is very short lived. Sometimes these symptoms can indicate the tablets are working and your doctor is likely to tell you to carry on with them and you may even be encouraged to increase the dose. You can eat a normal diet while taking most of these tablets and they are compatible with pain killers, antibiotics and the contraceptive pill. Until you are properly settled on the medication you should avoid alcohol.
Your doctor will make arrangements to see you on a regular basis to discuss how you feel the treatment is going. It is usual to take the medication for at least 6 months and stopping it too early may cause a relapse of your symptoms. When it is time to discontinue treatment, this should be done slowly over several weeks.
Not getting better
A small number of depressed people do not get better with these treatments. These people are likely to be referred to the mental health team and you may see a community psychiatric nurse for an assessment appointment. You may be referred on to see a psychiatrist for more specialised help.
The psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in the treatment of emotional and mental disorders. The psychiatrist usually works from an out-patient clinic based at a hospital nearby. If your depression is severe or needs specialised treatment it might be necessary to go into hospital but this is only necessary in about one in every 100 people with depression.
If you are a student and unable to cope with your studies you may need to take a break and either return to your family for a short period or reconsider your plans. In these cases you need to be in close contact with your tutors and school. How to help yourself Even when a doctor is involved in the treatment of depression there are things you can do to help yourself:
* Talk it over - If you have recently had some bad news or a major upset in your life try not to bottle things up. Either talk to someone close to you or follow the suggestions in this leaflet. It may even help to have a good cry; this is part of the mind's natural healing mechanism.
* Look after yourself - Take some regular physical exercise. Don't take on too much. Take regular breaks. Try to get enough sleep. Try to involve yourself in an activity and avoid isolating yourself. · Relaxation.
* Learn how to relax - The Counselling Service runs relaxation classes and you can make enquiries without a doctor's referral. · Resist the temptation to drown your sorrows. Alcohol and/or recreational drugs can actually make depression worse and can also cause other medical and emotional problems.
* Optimism - Remind yourself that you will eventually feel better, even if it does not feel like it at the moment. Depression can even be a useful experience and you may emerge stronger and better able to cope with life than before. You may be able to draw on your experiences in the future and empathise with people who are also suffering emotional type problems.
Support Groups/Agencies
Depression Alliance. 35 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7JB. Tel: 0171 6330557.
Books/Publications
Overcoming Depression. A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques. Paul Gilbert, Robinson, London.
The Feeling Good Handbook. David Burns, Penguin Books.
Mind Over Mood, Change the way you feel by changing the way you think. Dennis Greenberger & Christine Padesky, Guilford Press.
Manage Your Mind. Gillian Butler & Tony Hope, Oxford Press.
Websites
Depression Alliance
Depressives Anonymous
The Samaritans
Helplines
Samaritans Norwich Branch. 19 St Stephens Square, Norwich. Tel: 01603 611311. |
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If you wish to request a repeat prescription please use this link.
Please note: the contraceptive pill can not be ordered on a repeat prescription. Please call reception and ask for an appointment with a nurse. |
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| Online Appointment Booking |
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You can now book your own appointments online for non-urgent doctor and nurse appointments.
To access the on-line appointment service please use this link.
To register for this service simply ask reception and they will issue you with your online username, password and instructions on how to register on the above site.
You can book up to 2 appointments at a time.
Doctors appointments are for 10 mins. Nurse appointments are for 15 mins.
If you think you may need a double appointment, please call reception on 251600.
Sexual Health Services This clinic provides registered patients with sexual health advice for men and women. Please call reception to make a Sexual Health appointment.
Travel Clinic/Travel Advice Appointments
You should aim to make your first appointment AT LEAST 8 WEEKS BEFORE YOU ARE DUE TO TRAVEL. Please call reception to book an appointment
Ante-natal appointments - please call reception to book these, as you will need a longer appointment time.
Blood Tests - please call reception to book these, as special phlebotomy clinics are arranged for these. Please do not book into a normal nurse appointment for a blood test.
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