Can't see a psychologist until February (first ever post)

[Nonablu]

I've had anxiety all my life, but recently at my job it has really ramped up and I can't see anyone about it until February.

I'm a lawyer with domestic violence victims and have only been in this position a few months, and it's terrifying. I get anxious just going to the grocery shop without my husband, so meeting with clients and going to court is horrifying. As a result, I feel sick constantly, can't sleep, feel panicky and like I want to run away, feel like I can't breathe properly, heart going fast, feel on edge, feel like nothing matters and have been avoiding doing my work. These symptoms aren't new as I think I've suffered anxiety all my life (I'm scared of doing basically everything - it's so much my norm I almost can't believe that other people can just DO stuff without secretly being scared) but recently I've really felt like I can't cope with it any more.

I've never spoken to anyone about it but today as I sat feeling sick and avoiding my real work I thought to myself 'this can't go on', and I managed to call my work's Employee Assistance Program. Unfortunately, I can't get an appointment until 4 February 😞 it was just a bit of a let down that I made a big step and now I have to wait until February. I live in a very small regional town and I don't think there is anywhere else I can go. There are some things in January I am worried about and it also leaves me a lot of time to worry about the appointment as I haven't been to a medical professional in literally years and never to a psychologist!

I do also want to go to a GP and get an actual diagnosis etc, but there's another hold-up there which is that I let my Medicare card expire over a year ago. I finally tried to get another one today, but found that to do that I have to send my ID documents to my nearest big city in the mail - the whole thing could take weeks.

I'm not sure what I'm looking for exactly, I guess I tried to take some big steps today and it feels like it fizzled a bit. Maybe any advice or encouragement that I'm doing the right thing and to hang in there until February?

[jess334]

Hi Nonablu,

First I'd like to welcome you to the forums. It can be a great place to find some support.

Congratulations on taking the first step by calling your EAP. It is great that you have that support available to you.

That is a shame about your Medicare card. Usually Medicare cards are replaced automatically by the Department for Human Services. Your doctor should be able to call Medicare and get your latest Medicare number on your behalf. I used to work in a GPs office and we did that all the time for people who had outdated or lost cards.

While you are waiting for an appointment, you can always give BeyondBlue or Lifeline a call if things get too much or you just want to chat to someone.

Or keep posting here. Lots of people here (including me) are also suffering from anxiety and struggling to get through each day.

Have you tried mindfulness? I use the Smiling Mind app and I find it really helps me relax enough to sleep.

Kind thoughts. Jess

[blondguy]

Hello Nonablu

Can I ask if you have a GP that you have seen in the past? You can have the benefit on seeing your doctor as your medicare card number is still active as its automatically renewed.

Jess334 mentioned "Your doctor should be able to call Medicare and get your latest Medicare number on your behalf. I used to work in a GPs office and we did that all the time for people who had outdated or lost cards"

You are not alone where anxiety symptoms are concerned Nonablu. There are many gentle people on the forums that can be here for you. If you have any questions we are more than happy to help 🙂

If you are stuck in the meantime Beyond Blue have kind & non judgemental qualified support on 1300 22 4636

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Nonablu]

Thank you for the kind reply and tips Jess, I have never talked about this before and needed to vent a bit. I was wondering that about the Medicare number as surely the account must exist independently of the physical card. My card expired in 2014 though (oops) so I didn't know if accounts go dormant or anything? I can look into it. Thanks again!

[Nonablu]

Thanks so much Paul. I'll look into that about the Medicare number. I have never gone to a doctor in the town I am living now. In uni they had free university doctors that you only had to show your student card for, and before that I was mostly on my parent's card. So it's possible I have never actually used my own Medicare card...

Thank you for the kind and gentle response.

[blondguy]

Hi Nonablu

Thankyou for taking the time to post back to everyone! Anxiety can be an awful condition to have....this is my 35th year with anxiety followed by depression. Even in recovery those bad days can be debilitating....

We have your back if you need us for any support. The Beyond Blue website and the forums do have a lot of tips and tricks that can be a huge help for you 🙂

I have included a copy & paste link to the K10 test that will give you an idea about any anxiety or depression you may have. Its on our website and is a handy tool so you can get an idea about your own situation....

www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety-and-depression-checklist-k10

Great to have you as part of the forum family too 🙂

my kind thoughts

Paul