Health anxiety/bereavement

[Beem]

Hi all. I'm a newbie here, and very nervous.

I have suffered from health anxiety for a few years, and it started as nothing to really worry about. Right now, it is out of control. To make things worse, my Mum passed away very suddenly in February. I was there.

I visited a GP months ago for help, and whilst sobbing out of desperation in her office, she was smirking at me. She prescribed me an addictive drug, but the script remains untouched and unfilled as I don't feel that will be beneficial. Now I don't know where to go for help.

I am anxiety ridden, guilt ridden, and incredibly lonely. Every day I feel like this will be my last day on earth. From lung cancer (ex- smoker dealing with a huge amount of guilt), a brain tumour, heart attack, bowel cancer. I should be clear that I have no feelings of self harm.

Would anyone have any suggestions on where to go from here? How many GP's can we visit looking for help before we are classified as doctor shopping?

I appreciate you reading this far.

[Lonelydan]

Hi Beem welcome to the forums. I’m sorry to here about the loss of your mother. It’s takes a lot to recover after losing a loved one. From my experience with doctors some are good a lot are terrible. I don’t know what medication she prescribed but have you thought about trying it most medication for mental illness is kind of addicting in the way it works. It can help. Do you class someone taking heart medication for the rest of there life an addict. Don’t worry about doctor shopping it’s only if you were filling the scripts from each doctor there would be a problem. Have you been diagnosed with any cancers until then don’t worry about it. It’s not in our control. We do our best to look after ourselves. Dan ...

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Beem,

Welcome to the forums and thanks for reaching out.

I can't help but feel so frustrated for the GP that you saw. It sounds like she didn't listen to you at all and I'm so sorry for what you've been through and also for your mum passing away.

When I think of Doctor shopping I think of people who might have health anxiety but are only looking for tests to be done - even when those tests are deemed unnecessary and expensive. This does not sound like what you're going through at all, so honestly I do encourage you to shop.

One thing that might help when finding your next Doctor is to ask the receptionist/administration officer to see someone specialising or interested in mental health. You don't need to say more than that, but that way the receptionists can pair you with one who has a bit more experience and education, and be more likely to be heard.

I hope this helps and good luck with finding the right GP.