How to ask your GP for help for referral for psychologist.

[LJpd81]

Hi I am new here. For a while now I have had feelings of being sad and depressed,crying and drinking too much. Something is wrong with me. I feel I need to talk to someone. I usually talk to my best friend. She has her own issues at the moment and I don't want to burden my husband or family or worry them. Was thinking of asking my doctor for a referral for a psychologist. She does healthcare plans there. I feel very nervous to ask in case she thinks I am being dramatic, silly or not sad enough.

How should I ask my doctor please? What do I say? I find this more nerve racking than telling her my medical issues.

Thanks very much.

[LJpd81]

So I'm a coward or just afraid. When I went to my doctor's today, I planned to tell her that I self harmed for the first time. I couldn't bring myself to do it. Though i dud mention in it in my email to my psychologist.

[Guest_1643]

hi lj, thats okay, maybe next time u can write it down and read it from paper?

it can take a few tries sometimes, its really hard to do.

[LJpd81]

I might try next week. I do trust her. I just felt silly.

[UltimaMic]

Please do not be afraid to share how you are feeling and the depth of your anxiety and depression - GP are trained to help and understand you. If it helps make sure you go to a GP you have been too before and know is understanding. Also have you been given any medication? GP do administer this and these can be good to lessen our anxiety. Medication can also be a motivation to stop us drinking because it is not good combination with the medication.

Of course medication is part of the process of becoming mentally healthy again - I hope this new psych is more understanding and responsive. I am glad you found one for yourself.

Please hold on to hope and know many have been where you have been. Step by step, small victories, you will be a mentally healthier person by listening to the advice given here and from medical professionals

[LJpd81]

Yes I've been seeing my gp for a few years now. I trust he Rf fully. No I'm not on medication for anxiety. What can you take?

Thanks so much

[Guest9337]

G'day LJpd81,

That's great to read of your recent successes around wellbeing.

A couple of techniques I've learned from 1800respect are.

Google "54321 technique."

Anchoring technique, perhaps also known as grounding. BB has a grounding webpage brief fyi.

These techniques are methods for rebalancing oneself.

I use a torch to ground to by saying out loud or thinking like this...

This is my torch, it is heavy and hard in my hand, I can squeeze it as hard as I want and it will not break, it is black with little bumpy bits to make it easy to hold, it shines the light in the dark.

Stuff like that.

good luck!

[LJpd81]

Thanks very much

[Katyonthehamsterwheel]

Hey, you're doing really great under the circumstances - good on you!

It certainly does get easier talking to strangers about your feelings. It can seem a bit weird at first because we're conditioned not to share that kind of stuff. But that's what they're there for, right? And there will be no judgement around demonstrating emotion - I cried at my first session and many sessions later I still cry a lot. Emotion serves a purpose, so feel free to express it 🙂

As for medication - that's a very individual choice and something to discuss with your GP.

Grounding, as dng mentioned, is great. I've been recently using square breathing (you can google it) and found it helpful.

Katy 🙂

[LJpd81]

Thanks very much. Appreciate that.

I really do appreciate everyone's support.

Last night I felt so drained after a big emotional day, doctor's, ecg. I had a good night sleep, so that helps today. I have a day off today and tomorrow. Feeling a bit sad this afternoon, don't know why.

[LJpd81]

I feel ridiculous posting this, but the thought of s/h again did enter my mind today, I am going to try to resist though.