How do I tell my GP how I’m feeling?

[Tarchie]

I’ve just managed to get an on the day appointment with my GP as I’ve been awake most of the night and still am feeling terrible. I think it’s severe anxiety symptoms (running to the toilet, sweating, nausea, crying, feeling so alone, hopeless and terrified for mine and my DCs futures). This is happening more frequently and I’m desperate to tell the GP how I’m feeling and to see if there’s anything they can give me to help. I have 3 DCs with chronic mental and/or physical health problems which mean that life I’d terribly hard, stressful and isolating for us all. Please someone help me to know how to explain it to the doctor as I’m so scared of how I’m feeling and that it’s getting worse.

Show the GP what you have written here.

Write it down. It’s so easy to see the doctor and clam up, forget things or not put them in the right order or context.

You can hand deliver a letter either before you go or bring it with you to refer to.

Sometimes it is easier to show something written down than trying to talk.

I agree, show them this.

Yes they can help you. They can also refer you to other agencies who can give you some practical support. Once you feel a little calmer , go on the SN boards here and ask for advice and support . The ladies there are wonderful and will understand.

I ageee with the other posters, writing things down can be very helpful in this situation.
I find it's much better (for you and the doctor) to write things down concisely as you've done in your post rather than maybe going there and rambling so that you make no sense and end up not getting across how much it's bothering you - which is what usually happens to me.
Having to explain why you're there can be the hardest part, writing it down takes the pressure off a little bit and might enable you to talk after they've read it.

You are doing the right thing by going to the GP, you can get help for this.

In case you struggle to talk about it in the room, have something written down along the lines of what you've posted here. And try not to stress about it, doctor's deal with this all the time.

As well as getting treatment for anxiety and depression, I think you should ask about respite care and some more help with the DC.
Do they go to daycare or specialist schooling for example, do you get time off for yourself, is there a local carers support network that can help you? Your GP will be able to direct you to sources of help to take the pressure off you a bit.
Don’t worry, or overthink it, OP. Your GP deals with hundreds of similar patients, and will only be concerned with how best to help you. As PPs have said, writing it down is a good idea.
You could head it as bullet points:
1)Anxiety,
2)Depression
3)Need for respite care/assistance with 3 SN/chronically ill children

Then just cut and paste what you wrote in your OP.
Good luck, OP. I hope you soon feel much better and more supported.

Thanks for everyone’s advice and kindness, it means so much when I’m feeling so awful. My GP was lovely, I gave her the list of symptoms as people suggested and that certainly helped me. I’ve been prescribed propanolol on top of antidepressants which I already take. The doctor wants to see me in two weeks time and has also recommended mindfulness. How does propanolol make you feel?