Do I need help?

[SingleStay]

I've been struggling with anxiety for a while, well quite a while to be honest, I recognise it and try to take steps to tackle it, normally successfully. But I'm starting to think I need to try and get some help. For example, DH has gone out tonight, just to visit a friend, and I'm sitting here in an absolute panic that he has had an accident and died. I've rung him twice on random reasons just to check he is ok. I experience the same sense when I'm away from my children and worry when they are at school etc. I work full time, I am in a senior position in my company and a hint of mental health problems would not help me at all, we rely on my wages and I just don't know how to get on top of this now. I'm terrified to go to dr's as work have 'the right' to ask for my medical records and be informed about any mental health issues. I'm a successful, bright individual and so angry at myself to not be able to control this!

Hi

Hope you’re okay. It sounds like you would benefit from counselling. It sounds stressful to be feeling how you are and you can hopefully learn some better coping strategies. If you paid for private counselling I’m assuming this would not be on your medical records? Assuming this is an option. I have accessed private counselling before. It wasn’t cheap (£40 per hour) but I used to go once every three weeks so worked out okay. Over time my anxiety has improved

Yes, perhaps some CBT might be helpful and perhaps medication. Sounds like things might have got a bit much for you. Hope you feel better soon, but do make an appointment with your doctor as soon as you can.

You remind me of me many years ago. I didn’t realise it at the time but I was suffering from work related stress. I was trying to control literally everything in my life and got anxious when I couldn’t. I went on a retreat weekend which was the start in helping me. I think the suggestion to pay for therapy is a good one. Or if not, why not just start with a book. Go and visit the self help section at Waterstones and have a browse. One might click with you.

Definitely invest some money in this and get counselling. Think of it like having a cleaner/childminder/personal trainer - pay people with expertise to help you out.

I’m a doctor and I’m 100% certain that none has the right to access your medical records unless you have committed a terrible crime ( murder etc) or are a risk to others ( eg about to murder someone). Any GP who broke confidentiality in this way would he struck off!

Yes some jobs ask you to disclose medical records eg police, army etc but that’s normally at the start of the job and they would never be able to gain access to them.

Please go and get the help you need, it might just be a nice course of CBT or some anti anxiety medication is all you need.

I’ve struggled with anxiety previously and know how tough it is.
I found excerise helped me a bit too.

Good luck

Sorry to clarify I mean - some jobs ask for medical records when you start but you have to consent to this and normally you have to be the one who goes to the GP and gets a print out to take to the employer. GP computer systems aren’t on the internet so can’t be accessed even outside of the surgery normally. consent is for that time only so if they wanted to see your medical records tomorrow they would have to gain consent again from you, and there’s no reason why 1) they would ask to see them 2) you don’t have to consent 3) if they sacked you cos of either having a mental health issue or not consenting you could sue them for discrimination.

But in my experience I’ve never had an employer call and ask for a patients medical records.