Need help seeking help.

[coco09]

Hi, this is my first post and first time reaching out to anybody.

I 26 and have suffered anxiety all my life, its only now that i'm a mother and doing things on my own that I realise how much it has affected and is still affecting my life. My issues are starting to affect my daughter now and the guilt I feel is making things worse. I want help, I know I need help, but booking an appt with a doctor is hard enough for me, let alone actually going to see them.

I've never had a family doctor so Im worried the doctor will just fob me off. I get anxious speaking to people i dont know , i end up with cold sweats and so nervous i cant get the right words out.

How can I prepare for an appt like this? Can i write down how i feel so the doctor can read what i'm feeling instead.

I want to feel worthy of friendships, I want the confidence to get a job I love and hold on to it. I don't want my daughter to miss out on life anymore.

[Lilliblue]

This was also my biggest struggle when I decided to approach my Doctor for help with my depression. The only advice I can give you is BE HONEST. Tell them exactly how you're feeling and what's going on in your life, even if you have to write it down, along with any questions and queries you have. Writing stuff down helps you to focus. A good GP will be able to refer you to relevant services and perhaps even provide you with medication to help you combat your anxiety. There is nothing out there that's a really quick fix, but it's the first step in gaining control of your anxiety.

[coco09]

Thank you for your response.

I want to be as honest as I can, but I don't know where to start or even how to start the conversation.

Do I say "I think i may have anxiety" or do I say "I have anxiety, what are my options" I know therapy alone won't help me, I know myself and I know medication is what I need but I fear if I say that the doctor will think im just after drugs (im from a low income area) .

I am definitely open to therapy and i think opening up to someone who will just listen could help and I will take that opportunity if it is offered, but I don't want to say "yes ill try therapy and see how i go, I'll get back to you" because I won't do it.

I know I may come across as lazy and looking for a quick fix but after 20+ years of feeling this way, it's exhausting mentally.

If I print of the beyond blue questionaire with my results, will that be acceptable in the doctors eyes?

[Lilliblue]

I didn't think you were after a quick fix at all but I'm sorry if it seemed that what I said came across that way.

Therapy and medication combined is a wonderful suggestion to make to your GP. Anxiety is usually very closely tied in with depression and there are non addictive alternatives to help treat you, medication wise. Telling the doctor that you think you have anxiety and taking a print out of your beyond blue quiz will help a lot. Anything that you think you need to take to get your doc to listen to you is highly recommended. Don't let them brush you off with just therapy and if that's what happens, get a second opinion. 🙂

[coco09]

No you've been a great help. You have come across as nothing but supportive I have never spoken openly about how I feel before and your advice has given me some courage. Thank you so much.

I will book an appt with the gp today and go for it.

I have saved my test results and written some notes to take in already 🙂

[geoff]

hi Coco, absolutely write down what is worrying you, it doesn't have to be any order because that may be impossible, one minute something you have listed as number 1 problem may in turn end up being problem number 10, so you are going to swap and change, just write them down, the doctor will get the idea that you're not well.

The doctor will suggest going to a psychologist so ask them about the mental health plan which entitles you to 10 free visits per year, but you will have to book an appointment and there maybe a time before you get to see them, so in the meantime connect with BB, try your local Health Community, they have counsellors and social workers and perhaps Lifeline.

Please don't do anything because this will only make you feel worse, start talking to somebody and it could release other problems which you haven't realised you had. Geoff.

[Justanothermum]

Hi

Just reaching out to see if you went to a gp and if so how did you go.

I feel like im nearly in the same position as you. Im a mum suffering terribly with anxiety and ive just moved to a new place so i dont have a family doctor. Im so scared to go into a new gp for all the same reasons as you.

I hope if you went it all went well for you. 💙