No one is helping me with my anxiety.

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Posted threads a few weeks ago during crisis. I got a referral to my local counselling team and was told it’d take a week.

It’s about 6 weeks later and I’ve heard nothing. Meanwhile, I’m rapidly going downhill and I know it. I have suffered from depression and anxiety for years but traumatic events this year, culminating a few weeks ago, have caused a severe episode.

I cannot think without anxiety in my thoughts. It’s everywhere. And it’s not limited to one thing. I feel like I’m being watched and stalked. That something is following me. I do not feel safe anywhere and I’m constantly looking over my shoulder. I can’t breathe without feeling like I am about to die. I cry constantly, I’m shouting and screaming at DP who’s done nothing, I’m arsey with everyone. I just feel like something terrible is about to happen and I’m constantly looking for it. I feel like I have no way out. I’m extremely paranoid, to the extent I want to somehow escape but from what I do not know. I don’t even want to ask anyone for help anymore because I’m now at the stage where I don’t trust anyone.

I can’t sleep anymore, I barely eat, I’m jumpy and I honestly feel I’m about to have a breakdown.

I’m aware this isn’t real and is all some sort of cruel altered reality my mind is creating, but it feels more and more real every day.

I don’t remember it ever being this bad. Ever.

But 6 weeks ago, when I begged my GP for help, I was told I wasn’t bad enough. I’ve somehow created this mess and I have no way of getting out. Please, anyone who’s experienced this, can you offer advice? I feel like I’m trapped in my own head and I’d do anything to be someone else.

I’m even starting to think my dreams predict the future ffs. I have horrible graphic nightmares and I’m starting to think they are warnings.

Go back to your GP. Also call your talking therapies and tell them you e waited 6 weeks and feel worse

Can you pay private? Not go back to your go. They can contact for you and hopefully bump you up. Nhs is stretched and sadly I don't think 6 weeks is long these days.stay safe and talk to friends

I can’t afford private. My partner is going to ring my GPs because I hate talking on the phone.

It’s fucking ridiculous, I open letters delivers expecting them to be threats. I know it’s bloody stupid.

Go back to your gp but ask to see a different one. Chase the councilling up again tell them you are having a very difficult time of it at the moment and not coping
Then look into self cbt online not the best but it will hopefully give you something to focus on in what will be a long waiting situation.
I find writing stuff down and rereading it ack helped me become more rational about it. Also counting forcing my focus outside myself. So when i get anxious which is usually for me on public transport I count the cars or lamp posts outside.
There is loads of help over on the MH boards on here It was a big help to me when my anxiety went in to overdrive. You are not alone and you can with help fix this.

Have you tried (as a stop-gap measure) writing your thoughts down? It might help you recognise how unreasonable they are if they're down in black & white. I always find that it helps me (though my anxiety isn't as bad as yours)

I had to wait 7 months before I saw a counsellor, we didn’t gel but she did help me put a few things in perspective, I only saw her 3 times . Eventually paid for private and the difference talking to the right person was amazing, we couldn’t really afford it but decided my health was important.

Go back to your GP and explain that you feel worse.

Try www.anxietyuk.org.uk

You need some real-time help.

I haven’t, because I get scared if anyone reads them they’ll think I’m crazy/disturbed. It keeps me trapped, I get so afraid to talk about it because of that.

Try the helpline on the link I just shared. They won’t judge and it can be anonymous.

You really need to go back to your GP. Or alternatively have your DP ring your GP and tell them what you have written here. I don’t want to alarm you but what you’re describing doesn’t sound like anxiety and it could potentially be something which you need to get seen for quite quickly.

I don’t know if you read much MN, but a lot of people self diagnose with anxiety for the slightest little thing like worrying if they will miss the bus or if a friend is annoyed with them. If you’ve gone to the GP and told him you have anxiety he may have misunderstood your symptoms and thought you have the sort of low level worries I’m describing. I think you need to go back and tell them exactly what is happening as this sounds more serious than anxiety to me.

Get OP to support you, call if necessary, and he needs to be quite assertive about you needing rapid help. With MH cases doctors often take it more seriously if a relative is pushing for help too (not how it should be but unfortunately the way it is).

Good luck.

Can you show your partner this thread before he calls so he can explain the thoughts you’re having? I think that might be helpful. Please impress on him he needs to be insistent on getting some help. Also, don’t underplay your issues or try and give them a name, tell them exactly what is happening and how you feel.

Gah, this makes me so angry.

Your GP is letting you down, badly. You clearly, clearly need help. Do not take no for an answer. Go back, preferably to a different doctor, and INSIST. Take a print out of what you have written here if it's too difficult to articulate.

I bloody hate seeing people at their most vulnerable struggling to get the help that should be available immediately.

I agree with all the above BUT also try giving up smoking if you smoke and alcohol if you drink heavily. Eating mostly junk food doesn't help either , try giving up wheat in your diet. You can eat pure rye rye bread if you need the toast !!

There is a specific vitamin to take too. Try eating fresh food.

Whereas Labour accuses the Tories of plundering the NHS, there`s nothing inherently wrong with outsourcing to a private company - there are factors such as talent and economies of scale that come into play.

Also, it's wrong to try and stifle debate on the NHS with just one viewpoint - not even the majority of Europe agrees on a funding system for their healthcare systems - many are more liberal, others more social.

Ppeafruit. I don’t think eating rye bread is going to solve the OPs problems.

royaltunbridgewells

OP is asking for help with anxiety. Maybe you could start a separate thread on political issues about the NHS so this doesn’t get derailed?

Go back to the GP. Tell them you cannot wait any longer and that you have started to experience 'magical thinking'. (the dreams/warnings). Consider a medication like Citalopram or Sertraline if offered but discuss this with the GP. If you feel at risk at any time go directly to A&E. I hope you begin to feel better soon.

no one will think you're crazy I promise. You are experiencing some frightening symptoms because you have been forced to wait too long for help with your initial problem. It would be the same if a physical health issue was left without proper treatment.

Hi OP
I used to volunteer with MIND and they’re fab.
I think you should click the yellow button on this page...
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/
I know you don’t want to talk over the phone but the person on the other end is highly trained to help anxiety support people just like you.
They will not judge you. They will listen and explain the best method to get help.

Can I ask...are you already on any medication that could be making your anxiety worse/causing delusions etc?

To me and I’m obviously not an expert, but I was a volunteer for MIND supporting vulnerable mums, the way you’re feeling could be much more much than anxiety. I know anxiety effects people in very different ways but the feelings you have could be putting you at risk.

Without knowing the traumatic details of what’s happened to you thin year, I can’t assume to advise but much of what you describe could also be a sign of post traumatic stress disorder....the paranoia in particular is a common feature of PTSD.

Please contact MIND. They will only want to help you.

Hi Cats,
This is a really really hard time for you, and I do understand what you are going through.
I suffer(ed) with intrusive thoughts, horrendously graphic nightmares etc for as long as I can remember.
For me it is linked with anxiety and OCD, if I dont do X then Y will happen.
I went to the doctors and was referred for CBT, which to be honest wasn't for me because I couldn't bring myself to explain the full extent of what was going on for fear of repercussions, so would always give a 'filtered' version of what was going on.
Of course do go back to your GP and really try to be frank and honest with them.
When these thoughts come, I would find that there is no use fighting against it, accept it and then let it go. Try not to get stuck in that loop.
Also talking them out loud to someone you trust would really help, I found that expressing it verbally helped to take some of the power away from them.
I know you will be thinking 'yeah but they don't know how bad it these thoughts are' well I do. And I know that's its far worse than you think I think it is.
I really hope you get the support you need and quickly, don't get isolated, keep talking.
With understanding.
xxx

. How awful for you and I’m cross on your behalf about the general lack of support & services for people with mental ill health. I agree about revisiting the gp to chase your referral up.

are you waiting for counselling or cbt? Counselling can take a while to get but cbt appointments care usually much quicker and can really help with the symptoms you are describing

*are not care

I agree with contacting Mind. That's a great idea in your circumstances. It's not on that you were told a week and now six weeks later nothing.

Anxiety is awful and you do sound quite unwell with it. Definitely go back to your GP take your DP with you if you think it will help you. It's hard to fight for what you need when you are feeling like this. If you are not already on medication I would ask about going on some. For me it has been essential in helping me get through anxiety and PTSD.

Do your employers offer any counselling through occupational health? I have access to counceĺing and psychology through mine with much shorter waiting lists than NHS.

I ended up seeing a NLP therapist privately in the end for my PTSD even though I couldn't really afford it and had to borrow the money. I decided I couldn't afford not to do it. I only needed 2 sessions with him and it's the best £120 I've ever spent. It helped more than any of the other therapists I have seen. I would have paid a lot more to feel that good.