I don't know how to find a professional to help

[Julesss]

I have had had the same psychiatrist since I was 16 (now 21) and I haven't seen her in probably a year or two. I recently called up to book an appointment but she is away on holidays for another two months. I have been severely struggling with panic attacks and horrific anxiety which left me without a job for 4 months now and i am in desperate need of some help but I have no idea who is good or where I should even start. It gives me so much anxiety seeing somebody I don't know as a young child I bounced around to a lot of shitty psychologists/psychiatrists. How can I find a good professional?

[paddyanne]

Hi and welcome. Do you have a Dr you trust implicitly. Talk to him/her about this and ask for a referral to another psych. Explain to the Dr about the building of the relationship with the psych so he/she can refer you to someone who can help with the panic and anxiety. Obviously because you had been with the psych for 5 years, give or take, you have a comfort zone there and it's going to take time to re-establish this with a new psych. You have the right to request male or female and age.

[White_Rose]

Dear Julesss

Hello and welcome. Most unfortunate that your your usual psychiatrist is not available. Perhaps you can make an appointment now for when she returns. You will need a new referral from your GP so why not have a chat with him/her about your current situation. Paddyanne is right about getting your GP to find a good psych GPs usually have a network which allows them to identify who is good in the neighbourhood.

Sadly it can be take a while to find someone you get on with, such as your previous psych so get your doctor to find someone. Please make an appointment to see your GP very soon and take it from there. If this does not work then take yourself to the hospital ER and talk to the mental health team.

You can go to The Facts at the top of the page and click on Find a Professional. While this is a good resource you may not necessarily find someone you feel comfortable with as they are all different. In any case you will still need a referral from your GP.

I suggest you start there.

Mary