Anne’s consultation

Voice-over transcript

1. Heather: As part of our health check, we also provide a mental health screen for patients as we are aware that stress, anxiety and low mood can affect physical functioning and lifestyle choices.
2. Anne: Yes OK, no bother
3. Heather: Can I ask you Anne, during the last month have you often been bothered by feeling down, depressed or hopeless?
4. Anne: I would sort of say so yes, I think I have been more down. I am a single mum to 2 teenagers and money’s a bit tight. I don”t have a lot of family about to help either.

1. Heather: Oh, sounds like you are under some stress right now. And during the last month have you had little interest or pleasure in doing things?
2. Anne: Well, yes, I do think I have lost interest in quite a few things. I can”t be bothered going to the gym anymore, I can”t really afford it anyway, I”ve kind of stop bothering with my hair and I only wear make-up when out with the girls, that’s once a fortnight and I sometimes can”t be bothered with that but it gives me a few hours when I”m not worrying.

1. Heather: OK, so your mood sounds like it could be a bit low. I wonder do you find yourself avoiding places or activities and does this cause you a problem?
2. Anne: Och aye, I would say I am a wee bit more panicky than normal so I probably am going out less than I used to.
3. Heather: Oh, you feel panicky? Can you tell me a bit more about that?
4. Anne: Yes, well the problem is that my benefits have recently been cut and it’s been difficult to pay the bills, and we”re in arrears with our rent. I”m beside myself with worry, I keep shouting at the kids, it’s not their fault. I just haven”t told anyone how bad it is.

1. Heather: Well it does sound like things have been tough for you, and panicky feelings are often caused by stress. It sounds like you are worried about your money situation.
2. Anne: Yes, I”m also smoking more, which I can”t afford, but there is no way I could give it up just now.

1. Heather: OK Anne thanks for sharing how things are at the moment and I”d like to try to help you more so perhaps it would help if you could fill these 2 wee questionnaires for me to get a better idea of how your mood has been over the last 2 weeks?
2. ((Heather gives Anne the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 paper questionnaire and Anne fills this out))
3. Heather: Thanks for filling that out. It seems you do have some symptoms in the moderate range for both anxiety and depression. I see on question 9 you say you have thoughts of hurting yourself, do you feel suicidal?
4. Anne: Ach no I”d never do that, maybe I think about it but I wouldn”t put my family through that.

1. Heather: Well if you find that your mood really is getting low here is a handy wee Crisis card for numbers to ring. Or there is always the option of having a word with GP who can provide more advice or refer you to local mental health services.
2. Anne: Yes, I do think I would do that if things got any worse.
3. Heather: Good. Well it sounds as if you might consider getting more help for your mood. Here is a leaflet on managing stress, and a leaflet of local services, here, I”ll circle the number of Money Advice- perhaps you could talk through your money worries with them? Or do you know of any local services to help with your financial situation?
4. Anne: Yeah, I think I could go to the Citizens Advice Bureau near me.

1. Heather: Getting emotional and practical support for you is so important for your mood. Can your family perhaps give you any more support?
2. Anne: Well I”ve been thinking I could maybe talk to my sister more, let her know what’s going on, she’s also offered to take the kids overnight now and again; I think it might be good for them and me!
3. Heather: What a great idea Anne.
4. Anne: Thanks Heather, it’s been good to talk to you about my worries.