First time In my life I'm seeing my Gp as I'm worried about my MH. What on earth shall I tell her/him?

[StrongTeaHotShower]

I'm 31 and although believe i have suffered with stress, anxiety and have a drinking problem (functioning) I've made the plunge today to actually ask for help. I'm reluctant to mention my drinking today as I feel it's a symptom of a bigger problem and as I have a young dd I'm scared of ss getting involved. but how do I tell my gp I'm unhappy (I don't think I have depression though), stressed to the point of regularly banging my head on head objects and screaming and have awful, stomach sinking anxieties about seemingly trivial things like having to speak to my boss or contact my landlord.

What the hell is wrong with me and how can I convey my feeling to a gp?

Any advice would be gratefully received.

[LMST]

My advice is be honest. Gp is there to help. The more info you give the better they can signpost you.
Its hard to put these things into words. Maybe write down those three points before you go in or talk about your mood/anxiety in terms of how it is affecting your day to day life. Like- i regularl feel very anxious and have trouble sleeping etc.
You might sinply start by saying - i am concerned about my mental health and think it is time to seek some support/advice, and let the gp take it from there.

Also maybe do talk about your drinking- if you are functioning the sounds like you're doing your best as a parent and the health or social team are there to support you- not to judge or measure you against some standard.

Fair play for taking this first step- it's hard but I hope will be worth it. You can't always do this stuff alone.

Good luck x

[StrongTeaHotShower]

Thank you so much for replying. Really good advice. I'm stupidly nervous about the appointment.

[LMST]

Ps worth remembering that lots of health care professionals (especially GPs) have depression, stress anxiety and problems with drinking themselves so you won't be judged.

[StrongTeaHotShower]

She's started me of 50mg sertraline and I'm self referring for therapy.
I didn't mention drinking

[AnxiousCarer]

The GP would be able to refer you to a specialist alcohol nurse, my husband went to one years ago and found it really helpful, he no longer drinks excessively or daily and I would say is well in control, having been alcohol dependant whenbhe was younger.

[AnxiousCarer]

Also some antidepressants are dangerous with alcohol,so it would be useful for them to know to avoid these. They should have told you if that applies to the onecyou are on though.

[LMST]

Anxious carer I agree with above- also the issue of booze in itself being a depressant (the day after..)
Services in the nhs can vary from one area to another in terms of what's available but worth asking GP if there is an alcohol service. Or if you are self referring for therapy you can always bring it up there if feels easier.
I haven't coped with alcohol issues so I don't know what that feels like for you but I certainly appreciate the feeling of wanting to keep an "inappropriate" behaviour secret. Sometimes secret because you're ashamed of it. Sometimes secret because deep down its your coping mechanism and you're scared to let go of it.
On a more positive note my experience is that once you start taking the first steps towards seeking help things gradually do get better. Yes it can be two steps forward one back but there will come a time when you will look back and thank yourself for making the step toward recovery. It''s lovely and you deserve it so keep going.
X

[StrongTeaHotShower]

Thank you both. I think bringing it up when I receive the therapy appointment is a good idea. For now the ADs seem like a positive reason not to drink so that's helpful in a way.

I just want a crutch to bridge the gap between not drinking and the ADs working. Codeine is looking tempting but I don't think it would interact well with sertraline either.