Worried about Dh shall I push him to go doctors again? Everything is a mess

[EatWorms]

Dh was ill st Xmas we think this plus general stress triggers mental health issues.
Currently he’s waiting for counselling. He’s unable to travel certain journeys as a family due to panicking so we’ve reduced any social events to stuff I take kids to or within walking distance, possibly he has agoraphobia/claustrophobia.
I’m taking steps to take pressure off him so I entertain the kids mostly on my own.
He’s ok at work but it’s pressured and I’m a sahm, I’m doing a masters basically once kids are in bed.
Dh has had to come home again from work. I’m worried he’s heading for a breakdown. he doesn’t get sick leave just statutory I need a job to cover finances if this happens.
Shall I push him to go back dr he’s just waiting on counselling st the minute but he’s definitely getting worse at the weekend he left me and kids in town as he could cope with crowds/lifts etc I want to be supportive and not put any more pressure on but think he needs help to get on top of yhis

Sorry that was a bit of a ramble hope it makes sense!

Back to GP. They may prescribe some anti-anxiety medication to tide him over until the counselling. Sorry, hope it helps.

That’s what I think too but Dh reluctant :(

Why is he reluctant? They could actually make him feel a lot better!

Is he reluctant to see GP or reluctant to take any form of medication? I know you don't want to add to his pressure but if he's struggling that much then he really needs to accept that he needs help - and if there's a wait for counselling and then he gets to counselling and finds it not the magic cure, then you could be quite a long way further down the road with things just escalating in a downward spiral!

I think you might need to be straight with him that he does need to start taking steps himself - i.e. back to GP and be honest at how much he''s struggling. And if the GP prescribes some anti-anxiety meds, he really needs to at least try them.

Is there anyway you could find say £200 now for private therapy, last year after calling in sick at work alot due to this I ended up paying for about 4 private therapy sessions, what a difference it made. It didn't cure my but started me on a road to recovery where I could help myself through CBT therapy online. If you can find the money you won't forget it. Last November a trip to the shops terrified me and had me on the verge of tears from the horror of it. Last Sunday I spent 10 hours!! Out it central London with my husband's family, this is all down to private therapy and CBT, spending money on your mental health seems very alien at first, but if you can find it the difference between all of yours quality of life could be astounding!

In parallel with what you are doing (liaising with your GP and waiting for counselling), it might be worth exploring other organisations that might be able to provide support and guidance.

If you contact your local Mind organisation, they might be able to give you some information that would be useful (about your rights as a mental health sufferer, and signposting you to places that might be useful).

Good luck to you and your husband.

Try the NHS Moodzone website and the lines to apps and online resources too. He might find some tools to help him manage a bit better until the counselling starts.

Yes to the GP if you can get him to go.