To ring and ask for another appointment?

[Eighteenmurray]

I've been diagnosed with PTSD and registered with Talking Therapies. I went to my initial assessment appointment and asked, because I'd heard good things about it, to go to EMDR therapy. I missed the appointment because when it came to it I felt too anxious and stupid to face it. I feel really guilty for missing it.

The woman I was meant to see has just left a message asking if I want another appointment and if not she'll discharge me. I do want another appointment. I feel terrible. Riddled with anxiety and on edge and panicky and I just want to stop thinking about everything. But, because I missed the first appointment, I'm scared she'll be annoyed with me and think I'm taking the piss and so I'm scared to ring her back and ask for another one.

I feel so stupid for having come all this way then not went to the appointment. Can I ask for another one without epically pissing the therapist off before I've even met her?

She won't be annoyed. She deals with people all the time. She understands. Make the appointment.

If you don't call she'll discharge you. She won't be annoyed. It's her job. You're not the first person to miss an appointment.
Don't miss this opportunity! My ptsd is so much better as a result of cbt.

Dont worry she will be used to people missing appointments for this reason. She wont be mad at you and happy that you have rearranged. Hope it all goes well.

Make the phone call, she will have had this before. 💐

Call her back. You absolutely can do it! Tell her you’re nervous about going, her job is to be supportive and she will understand. You won’t be the first to miss an appointment for this reason and you certainly won’t be the last. You’ve already shown great strength and courage by getting your diagnosis, going to the initial assessment and particularly speaking up to ask for a specific therepy you think will help. Be proud of yourself for getting this far, making a new appointment is just one more step

Oh bless you OP- I've been where you are with anxiety over phoning and (sort of) come out the other side. It's very consuming- are you getting any separate support for it?
If you feel you can't call personally is there someone who can call on your behalf? This has worked for me in the past, though they do sometimes ask whoever calling to quickly pass over to you just so you can say 'yes' to them discussing you details with others (though in my experience it's 50/50).
Otherwise I found helpful just doing it as soon as I wake up so I can't talk myself out of it. It would be such a good idea to make the call so you don't get pushed back and need rereferral again by your GP .
Echoing what others are saying, it is true, the person on the phone is just doing a job and takes calls like this all day long, I'm sure to them it's no big deal whatsoever.

Op I had emdr therapy after a bad car accident and it helped me to stop focusing on the accident and move on and drive again. It was great just wanted to add that.

Ps I'm sure this happens a lot as people struggle to ask for help she will be fine and used to it just call

I've heard really good things about EMDR.

Phone the therapist and tell her you do want another appointment, and are sorry you were too anxious to attend the first one. She will be fine about it.

Thanks everyone. I did ring the practice back but the therapist was busy so they said they’d get a message to her.

I feel absolutely dreadful still. So anxious, I feel like my life is about to fall apart and I’ve brought it all on myself and I’ve got absolutely no one to turn to. I can’t stop thinking about what the worst things that could happen are.

I really hope it does work. Good to hear the success stories.

Don't feel awful. You rang back which is brilliant. Many people find turning up for the first appointment the hardest. You're not going to have annoyed her and she will be aware that it might be hard. She has given you a gentle push to think whether you want to it not, that shows you're already being thought of. I hope it goes well for you. Good luck x

Oh, murray. You are in a pickle! It's so hard, I know (I've been there with anxiety and depression) but you are not on your own. You've got us, and your therapist is on your side too. We're all here to help you. You did a big brave thing by phoning back, and once you get started on your therapy things will get better.

Keep at it. You can do this.