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Getting help for anxiety
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
I'm new, and I know I haven't introduced myself yet but I need some immediate support.
I've been struggling with undiagnosed anxiety since I was a young child, but it's recently got so much worse. I went to my GP today, and although he listened to me, he obviously couldn't help much. He gave me a leaflet and told me to refer myself to the local mental health services. I have to call a number and set up an over the phone assessment. But I'm a wreck. I was nervous enough this morning before my appointment, but now I'm shaking, feel sick, my chest hurts and I can't think properly and I've not even attempted calling them yet. I don't like phone calls because I can't see peoples expressions and I worry I won't be able to understand them or they won't understand me. I don't know what I can do, because I'm too scared to go back to the doctor and ask him to refer me because it was a locum who I hadn't seen before, and I can't go through telling another doctor it all.
What can I do? I've tried deep breathing but I just can't seem to calm down.
I've been struggling with undiagnosed anxiety since I was a young child, but it's recently got so much worse. I went to my GP today, and although he listened to me, he obviously couldn't help much. He gave me a leaflet and told me to refer myself to the local mental health services. I have to call a number and set up an over the phone assessment. But I'm a wreck. I was nervous enough this morning before my appointment, but now I'm shaking, feel sick, my chest hurts and I can't think properly and I've not even attempted calling them yet. I don't like phone calls because I can't see peoples expressions and I worry I won't be able to understand them or they won't understand me. I don't know what I can do, because I'm too scared to go back to the doctor and ask him to refer me because it was a locum who I hadn't seen before, and I can't go through telling another doctor it all.
What can I do? I've tried deep breathing but I just can't seem to calm down.
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Comments
Isaac Fitness
I think you and I are in similar boats, sort of. I've never worked up the nerve to even see my GP so you're doing really well so far! I get that seeing doctors and making phonecalls and emails can be your worst nightmare, but you've set the ball rolling. Don't undervalue what you've done so far, as a first step. You don't need to do anything immediately now, so take a few days to let your visit sink in and let your nerves settle a bit. Is there maybe a friend or family member who could phone on your behalf? or a website to look at with an email address you could use? If not, and you think phoning may be the only way forward, it might be worth drafting a sort of script to have in front of you when you ring, so you have something to fall back on if you get flustered.
I hope that helps a bit, and best of luck!
K
We also have some info on Calling a helpline that might be useful for you to read. I know it's not a helpline you have to call but this article gives some tips on getting over those sorts of fears that you describe: http://www.thesite.org/stepfinder/content.php/162-Steps-to-calling-a-helpline
Let us know how you're getting on *hug*