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"   Question I have written to you before asking whether I should still go and see a doctor about depression, even though I felt that it was getting better.  You said yes and the problem I have now is how to get an appointment.  I am 16 years old so does this mean that I am old enough to go by myself.  If I did go would my parents would find out about it?  Is it my GP that I need to go and see, or somebody else?  Something I am worried about is that if I go to the doctor, then I would have depression on my medical files and I really wouldn&amp;#039;t want this.  Is there some way to get around it?   Answer  I am glad you have decided to take your problem further.  The first thing to say is that since you are 16 you are now classified as an adult and no one has any right to know anything about your medical history \u2013 this includes your parents.  There is no way anyone should find out why you have seen your GP, and your doctor is under a strict code of confidence with you.  They would be breaking the key rule of patient confidentiality if they told anyone else about what you told them.  If you did not want the term &amp;#039;depression&amp;#039; on your notes, you can easily discuss this with your doctor when you see them and a much looser phrase can be used such as &amp;#039;had a chat to patient&amp;#039;.  I do hope this helps, and good luck! Yours sincerely Dr Roger Henderson, GP  Other Qs &amp;amp;amp; As Does my GP have to disclose my depression? Can I be treated privately? How can I find a good cognitive behavioural therapist? How can I help my depressed brother? How can I persuade my mother to get her depression treated? How do I get to see a psychiatrist? I don\u2019t want to go back to the mental health unit  I don\u2019t want to go to a male therapist I need help with my bipolar depression: how long will I be down? I need more than therapy I need to help my husband I want help but I feel so desperate I&amp;#039;m a jealous person and I need help I&amp;#039;d like help for my depression I&amp;#039;m 14 - can I see my GP without my relatives being informed? I&amp;#039;m scared after telling my GP everything My GP does not believe I am depressed Should I go into a psychiatric ward? What should I expect at my appointment with the psychologist? Who can I talk to about my depression? Will a psychiatrist help me?  Last updated 06.12.2011 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ask-the-expert/depression/a431/getting-an-appointment-with-a-doctor/>