Not sure how to word this to a doctor

[IneedcoffeeinanIV]

I've recently been signed off of work due to stress and high anxiety. It's definitely been a long time coming but I just tried to crack on as I always do. Since I've been off I've been trying to pinpoint what caused my anxiety (which has always been there) to get so intense, I'm having panic attacks, not sleeping, migraines ect. Every time I speak to the doctors I wimp out and just sugarcoat it all so it does like it's not all that bad but I'm struggling a lot more than I've said. I had a traumatic labour and birth with both DDs, most recent is coming up to a year ago and I've realised that I think I'm suffering with post natal PTSD, which apparently can show close to an anniversary or birthday (DD2 is nearly 1) I had a very heavy blood loss both times and after DD1 it was the biggest fear of mine happening again and it did but I lost even more the second time round. I feel absolutely ridiculous saying all this to a doctor as it's not as though I've been to war which is what I guess you stereotypically associate PTSD with. Basically after all this rambling (very sorry I'm nervous saying all this out loud), how do I even start with this when I speak with the doctor? I'm due back to work in a week and the panic attacks are getting worse so I know I need my note extending but I just feel pathetic for not being able to get on with it

Please don't feel like you should be able to cope. I had a very traumatic birth with my son where we nearly lost him and afterwards I didn't realise what was happening, I hadn't slept more than 2 hours for months and was in a total state of panic. I became really ill and was in a mum and baby unit for 5 weeks. When you see how full these units are you realise how many of us are out there. I promise you your doctor will be able to help, wishing you all the luck in the world. I'm now fighting fit (mentally, my body is a bit knackered!) and I'm so glad I got help. PTSD is anything that has been traumatic for YOU, there are no rules xx

@boymama82 This made me cry a bit, thank you. I'm so sorry you struggled so much, I'm very glad to hear you're in a better place now ❤️ I don't know how I didn't think of it sooner, I have so so many moments of remembering certain parts of it and it makes me physically sick and keeps me awake but I just thought that was normal

Do you think you could write a note to the GP and just hand it over-in an appointment? I know that for me sometimes its easier to write things down than talk about them

also I just realized I have PTSD after a heart surgery that went badly,so dont think that it can only happen if you go to war. Its not post war stress disorder!

Yes I had this too, I couldn't stop talking and thinking about the birth, I was induced and they kept saying 'baby isn't happy' for hours and hours until I begged them to help him out. The surgeon was bouncing on my stomach during the emergency section and he popped out 10lbs 5oz and went straight to NICU. I kept hearing 'danger' in my head all the time, thinking everything would hurt my son and thought my poor lovely partner was planning to kidnap him so I kept hiding from him around the house. I was sectioned because I was refusing medication on the outside (I thought everyone was trying to drug me to take my son) honestly our brains do funny things when we have babies! Xxx

Cbt can be really helpful, honestly there's nothing better than a good sob and telling a stranger your problems!!

Why don't you print off our OP and show it to your GP? It explains your situation pretty clearly!

Can you bring someone with you to the appointment, a trusted friend or your DP?

Thank you all for your replies. I'm so sorry for those that have dealt with this, although it's oddly comforting and makes me feel less stupid. I wrote loads of note on my phone the other day so I didn't back out and just say ' I'm just a little anxious again' and my DP has offered to come with me. If it was anyone else I'd so easily be able to help or offer some decent advice but I just feel like I'm being ridiculous and bothering everyone when it comes to me

I don't know how I didn't think of it sooner, I have so so many moments of remembering certain parts of it and it makes me physically sick and keeps me awake but I just thought that was normal

It is normal, in that it’s a normal response when we go through something traumatic. Your GP should be working in a trauma informed way and should be able to get you the support and help you need.

Write it all down, or print it off and take it in so that the doctor can see you have a description/list to talk through.

I had to see my GP about something I was worried about, I wrote it all down and it really helped when I walked in and unexpectedly burst in to tears! He saw I had it written down and though I was able to talk after a couple of minutes, he was really good about saying “ok, what else have you written down”. But you could literally hand it over if that’s easier. It’s important that your GP understands the worst of how you feel.

Can you do something like an econsult or online consult? That's all my GP offers now, then a doctor phones you back to either prescribe/diagnose over the phone, or invite you in for a physical appointment. I had to ask to be signed off for stress and found it was much easier writing it down in the first place, then at least he already knew the basics when he phoned to discuss. If your GP doesn't offer this, do you have to tell the receptionist why you're requesting an appointment? Again something ours insists on for urgent appointments. If so, and you say PTSD, at least the GP will already have this start from. When the doctor phoned me after one of my econsults, he started with 'so, you're cracking up then?' which I suppose some might have found offensive but I found very funny and it really broke the ice and relaxed me

Also, when I needed my note extending, I did an econsult just saying I needed more time and the reply was an extended note. He never even phoned or questioned anything. I'm sure it depends on the GP, but some are very sympathetic

They used to have an econsult at my GP but it's been removed now sadly. I hate making phone calls to it used to be my favourite thing ever. I've wrote a list and I'm gonna go through it this evening and make sure it has everything I need to say and then call them in the morning (it's a same day appointment kind of place so no point calling today as DP is working and I don't fancy taking my baby with me). I just really hope that I'm not fobbed off because it's taking so much for me to say this out loud to them and it would just send me over the edge. I was awake until 4am having back to back panic attacks, I just want things to sort out so I can feel happier again