The search for the right GP!

[calmseeker]

Feeling super frustrated with accessing help on the GP level. My GP is a lovely guy but I need medical advice not a new friend. I know I know, get a new GP and that's where the frustration comes in. I feel so overwhelmed at the thought of starting again! GP's are the coordinators in accessing the help we require so I feel its important we have someone we trust in that role. Groan, I feel like its a mammoth undertaking. My anxious mind races trying to work out where I start and what I say in a ten minute appointment. Today my thoughts are that I am tired of anxiety, its exhausting trying to help myself.

[calmseeker]

Hi there rt,

You are so very correct in saying the benefits of knowing if something is wrong outweighs not knowing. Knowledge is power and I know one thing for sure; if anything were wrong and it could be better treated if found early, I would kick myself big time for refusing to go to GP.

I have had a think about how phobias are sometimes treated, as in with exposure therapy. I guess I just might have to suck it up, face this odd fear and get to the doctors - I am not sure there is any other way of dealing with it to be honest.

Thank you for you replies rt, it is comforting to know that there are supportive people like yourself about to discuss these things with. It is really helpful to be able to vent the fear and talk about it and I am grateful to you for suggesting that whatever happens I will be able to cope, its empowering to be reminded of that.

I hope your day has been kind to you..

CS 🙂

[calmseeker]

Hi Sleepy,

My findings have been similar to yours with regards to GPs, in that the ones with many free appointments aren't quality gps and the booked up ones or the ones who 'don't take new patients' are usually worth their weight in gold.

I have also noticed that GPs with a special interest in mental health are few and far between (I always try to read docs bio to help choose correctly). There are quite a few with paediatric specialties and in my particular part of the country I find a lot of skin/mole care and sports medicine comes up as their interest.

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts Sleepy, I agree that finding a good GP is has a major effect on our quality of care.

CS 🙂

[Guest_1643]

Really hard to find someone who ticks all the boxes. Im still recoiling from a GP I saw who I guess would be considered a mental health specialist who basically mocked and dismissed my mental health concerns. Empathy is really so hard to find in this profession.
I feel sad when you said you really fear the GP but should just swallow it and force yourself to go....I don't know... maybe? But also - I feel like it's a harsh way to see it... It would so cool if you could find a really warm and gentle gp, ( very hard, I know)... but it could maybe make it less ughh to see them.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi calmseeker,

Oh you are very welcome!

Hm, exposure therapy... That's a good point. It's a tricky one when your fear is not necessarily the doctor itself but the fear of bad news. I guess there is always the possibility of going without sharing with your GP what you've been going through - i.e. if you went for a general checkup to have your blood pressure done or to be weighed, or even cholesterol/iron levels/a tiny scratch/freckle where you already knew what the answer would be - this way when you leave the appointment you can be sure that you've both seen the GP and haven't gotten any bad news. ?

I know that this is hard. What are the other things you can do to make this appointment easier perhaps - maybe bringing someone that you care about with you, or trying relaxation exercises beforehand or even something like writing down all the reasons that there might not be bad news and re-reading that list for comfort.

Again - just brainstorming here! I've been thinking about what I might do myself and I believe there's every chance you could post back here again and say "The GP said it was fine".

Finally; thank you so much for all of your kind words. I'm very very grateful for them and you're very welcome.

rt

[BWN]

Hi Calmseeker,

You are not alone, I can 100% relate. I have a GP appt tomorrow and I am terrified. I haven’t been to see the GP for over a year and I have convinced myself that i have cancer. I am prepared to be sent off for biopsies and scans for the next two weeks and also preparing for a worst case scenario diagnosis.
I have felt this way for as long as I can remember which has resulted in me avoiding regular routine health checks.

I wish I had helpful advice but I don’t because I struggle with this too.
Good luck

[smallwolf]

Hi BWN and welcome. I also go for the worst case scenarios - you are not alone in those thoughts. Past experiences may tell us to look for the worst. In my case, if the "next" test was a high result as well, they would consider a biopsy for me. Luckily it went down and I breathed a sigh of relief. I guess for me having an answer is better vs having that question remain unanswered.