To not know what to do to help this friend with anxiety?

[Saddestfriend6]

My friend is suffering with severe anxiety and depression but she won't take any medication. She's seen her GP who prescribed tablets I don't know what they are.

It's got to the point she's been off sick five times because of this. She's only had this job a few months and is late getting to work a lot as well.

Work have been really sympathetic and supportive they reduced her hours to try to help but she's now having to go to HR meetings about it as she's had so much time off ill.

I just want to know what I can do to help. She is too frightened to take the tablets and I'm worried she will lose this job because of it.

Have you asked her about her meds, her fears? Maybe accompany her to the Drs for her nexr appointment? Please make sure you talk kindly to her though and not 'tell her '.If she's worried about not coming off them again, maybe agree to a flexible time - Dr's do reviews and will cut her back as she getdsstronger. It's like trying to walk with a broken leg - crutches, crutch, stick and then on your own when you're strong enough.

Has she been referred to the community mental health team and offered therapy?

She is lucky to have a caring friend - she is going to need lots of support and reassurance. She may be worried about becoming addicted or the stigma of being on medication. The difficulty is that you have to wait until they are ready ( with my best friend it got to the point where I thought I was going to have to get him sectioned before he finally accepted he needed help) the fact that she has been to the doctor is positive. Has she been offered counselling? Medication alone will not help as there has to be in underlying problem that she needs support to address - perhaps she would be more open to counselling if she is reluctant to take medication? The doctor can refer her for some free counselling so can the HR department. Stay strong and make sure youhave someone to talk to because supporting a loved one with anxiety and depression can be hard work.

CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy - a solutions-focused form of counselling) can be very helpful for people suffering from anxiety. It has transformed the life of someone close to me!
Would your friend be able to pay for counselling - if not, could she access it through work? I'm sure it can be accessed through NHS too, but I'm not sure how easily, these days.
For you OP. You sound like an amazing friend, to care so much.

Thank you to everyone who replied.

She's had quite a lot of therapy and counselling but I don't think it has worked on it's own. I'm very worried about it all.

Will try to suggest more counselling. Thank you again.