Finding Right Service

[Sami_Swilks]

I have extreme anxiety that is manifesting in a range of ways, and beginning to affect my interpersonal relationships. I really want to go and see a psychologist after about 2 years of having these feelings, but do not earn a lot of money. I was wondering what the most cost effective and expedient manner by which I could be sitting and chatting with a professional is? It's getting all a bit too much and I need to regain control / get some kind of diagnosis.

Thank you,

Sami

[blondguy]

Hi Sami

Welcome and good on you for having the courage to post too!

A psychologist is not always necessary.

I understand you as I used to have chronic anxiety and my GP helped me out with this awful problem

Can I ask if you have a GP that you can see? This is a huge step towards recovery as GPs have much better training where anxiety is concerned nowadays

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by making a double appointment and having a good talk about the awful symptoms you are having

You are pro-active with your health Sami. I thought I could self heal (which just doesnt work) and spent over 10 years having dreadful anxiety attacks and trying to work at the same time.....until I saw my GP....oops

The forums are a safe and judgement free place for you to post Sami. There is no judgement here....just heaps of support for you

Can you please post back and let us know how you are.....when convenient for you of course

Making that double appointment with a GP is crucial at this stage...

My kind thoughts for you Sami

Paul

[Lici]

Hi Sami,

I agree with Paul that your first step is to see a GP, they can also write out a mental health plan that will give you six free appointments with a psychologist (last time I had one it was 6 per year then another 4 if needed) they'll also help with medication as well.

One thing I'll add though is that if your GP or psychologist doesn't seem to "fit" with you or doesn't seem to listen don't feel like you're stuck with them. There's many different ways of approaching psychology and one psychologists therapy technique may not always be the right fit for you. It's really important to have a good GP in that case so you can talk to them about finding another that suits you better.

Also, if you want something you can do now, I highly recommend the moodgym website. It offers free CBT therapy that you can do at home and can help get you started on understanding your thoughts etc while you're sorting therapy out. It really helped me when I was in a bad place and I honestly can't recommend it enough.

You're already making a huge step by knowing that your anxiety is affecting your life in the ways that it is, the first step is acknowledging that so you're doing really well already!

I hope you find the treatment that's right for you soon! As Paul said, please keep us updated!

Kind regards

Lici