Think I need to speak to my GP about my mental health but I'm scared to

[mentalhealthlow]

I'm struggling with what I think is depression and anxiety. It has been an issue in my life for the last few years, ever since I started university. However, COVID has made it worse as there are none of the good things in life to look forward to/distract me.

I start a new job next week so I will finally be out the house and socialising with others so I'm not sure whether to bide my time and see if that helps first? I just feel so low and anxious.

I try and force myself to go on walks but I don't enjoy them as I'm hypervigilant looking out for other people so I can make sure I'm 2m away. Every walk I have a runner or cyclist quickly come up behind me and then I start worrying whether they have COVID.

I have a health condition so I'm more worried about COVID then most my age (I'm in my 20s). I'm worried about how I'm going to manage my anxiety to go into work and be around my colleagues when I get nervous walking past someone on the street.

I just feel so apathetic and down. I try and keep a brave face when with my household (I live with my parents and siblings) but deep down I just feel miserable.

I'm also worried if I get diagnosed with depression or anxiety, so I have to tell my new employer? I am quite a private person and would rather they didn't know.

I know we are all struggling and I acknowledge that I'm in a much more privileged position than a lot of people.

Please speak to your GP. You don't have to tell work.

I have suffered from anxiety and depression for years. It took a near breakdown for me to seek help.
I really wish I had your self awareness and recognised the problem earlier. I’m now on medication and have done CBT (and continue to use the techniques). My life is SO much better.
A GP can advise on everything from mindfulness and reading to medication and CBT. It’s really worth having strategies to help.
Plus the very best of luck with the new job. Lovely to have a fresh start.

Please speak to your family op . They probably know more then you think. And If I was your mother, I would very much want to know and be able to support you

Please don't be scared. I wrote it all down and handed the letter to my gp so I didn't have to say it all because I knew I'd breakdown and I wouldn't be able to remember all I wanted to say. Also don't hold it in when it comes to your family, dh has been my rock when I was at my worse and it really helped me not going through it alone

I had the same dilemma over the first lockdown. I was so scared but I knew I had to say something. Oh my word the relief! I do have medication which has really helped but the best thing for me was going back to work (off furlough, into new job).
I haven't mentioned it to my employer.

Check the nhs website in most local authorities you can self refer to the mental health team without having to see th gp