Anxiety overwhelms any desire to get help

[zrm25]

I have been having problems with anxiety and depression for years now. In the last few months I was able to get onto headspace to get some help, because that didn't involve talking to anyone except by webchat. It's gotten to the point now where they're suggesting I go to doctor or GP or something and get better help but I can't do it. Just thinking about it gives me panic attacks.

It's so bad, like there's so much wrong with my life and how I feel but I'm too scared to do anything about it. I know I need help and I want it, but I just don't see it actually happening because of my anxiety. I don't know how to get past that anxiety even just for a little bit.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi zrm25,

Welcome to the forums and thanks for your post. I'm really glad that you are here reaching out and it sounds like you've gotten some great support through Headspace.

It's a bit ironic isn't it - going to the GP for help with anxiety when going to the GP gives you anxiety?! Don't think anyone thought that through! What is it about seeing the GP gives you the most anxiety?

One thing that does come to mind though, is bringing someone with you. Maybe a friend, family member or someone you care about? Sometimes that can make things a little less intense.

I am sure that other posters will come and share their own ideas and experiences - hopefully you'll get lots of support out of the forums.

rt

[Aaronsis]

Hi zrm25

I am so very proud of you for reaching out here and getting some support. It is not easy to ask for help, and as RT suggested, how very overwhelming to ask for help, when asking for help makes you overwhelmed....ahh the joys of mental health.

I am so proud of you for acknowledging that you need some assistance in this journey and that you are willing to do that. Can I suggest that perhaps writing a few things down, even in a dot point format to show to your GP might take some of the anxiety out of the equation as you can start the conversation without actually having to speak. You can get the main bits out and that you are having a hard time and then from those points the doctor can take over and it will be more about answering questions that presenting your concerns.

The other thing you can do is to show the GP your post here that expresses really well how you are feeling.

I hope to chat to you some more and hope that we can get you to some help you need.

Hugs

AS

[zrm25]

Thanks for the replies. My issue is I don't have anyone I could ask to go with me, and that seems like the only way I could see myself going to a doctor. I don't have any close friends and my brothers have their own dramas and life stuff going on so I don't feel like I can burden them with my problems, and they would also tell my parents which would make the whole situation worse.

And the thing about going to a GP that scares me the most... I'm not even sure that there is a definite answer to that. Its the fear of going, the worry about what they'll say, the cost, I have significant scars both emotional and physical that I don't even know how I would begin to tell someone about, its a lot of feelings and emotions that prevent me from going and I just don't know how I'll ever get myself there even though I know that I should.

[theo-m]

Hi zrm25!

I've definitely been in a similar position before - needing to see someone for anxiety, but being unable to access them because of the anxiety. Even though over the years I've been able to get the anxiety down to manageable levels I still feel all of these worries "Its the fear of going, the worry about what they'll say, the cost, I
have significant scars both emotional and physical that I don't even
know how I would begin to tell someone about".

I find that what helps me is to "over-prepare". I always call ahead to figure out prices, or check their website, or email them if that's an option. I've definitely done practice runs at getting to the place, so i don't end up getting lost on the day of the appointment. It's also possible that you could practice with some of the questions that they might ask, and prepare some kind of script. What's helped me so much in receiving the help I needed was tracking my symptoms daily, rather than guessing them when I was asked, as it means if I'm having a rough day I can hand over my mood sheet & my sleep sheet for the past couple of months without having to struggle through explaining it.

I hope you can manage it somehow, and I'm glad you're getting support through headspace!!