To feel so unsupported by GP?

[Bananapancakes3]

I went to the gp a few weeks ago to talk about my problems with anxiety. I’ve had counselling before for it but I’m struggling with it again.

I was also involved in a car crash over the summer which is giving me constant flashbacks and panic attacks

I told the GP how I’d been feeling and was referred to the mental health services - for which there is a waiting list of 3-4 months.

I understand the pressures on the NHS but I feel so so unsupported by the gp and have no idea what to do in the meantime. I left uni today before my lecture as I had a panic attack and then a reversing car failed to see me and then beeped it’s horn and it brought back the panic attack and I sobbed all the way home.

Anyone got any advice for what to do in the meantime?

Have a word with uni and see if there's any counselling available through them.

Your G.P. isn't there to support you, they are a gateway service.

They did exactly what they were supposed to do.

What do you think 'support' would look like?

Pay for some counselling? I don't know what you expect the GP to do? They've referred you and have no control about the waiting list for mental health services.

Are you on meds for the anxiety? It's all very well being on a long wait list for talking therapy but if you don't have any reason not to try some anxiety meds then I'd go back and talk to your GP about trialing a low dose to see if it makes you feel better in the meantime.

I used to be very anti anti-depressants - until I really needed something and saw the difference they made.

Pay to go privately if you can't wait. I don't think you can expect much more from your GP - they're a gateway service

Yeah you need to see if you can get counselling through uni.

Are you on any meds?

The GP isn't a trained counsellor. They're not magicians, either. They've done their job.

The services I’ve been referred to are connected to the uni.

I’m not blaming the gp I understand it’s not their job and the real problem is the waiting lists being so long.

It’s just that I’ve been trying to pluck up the courage to go to the gp about how I’ve been feeling and walking out knowing that nothings going to change for months is pretty difficult.

I was told a 6 - 8 month wait, so yours is pretty good. As pp have said, they are a gateway service for this. They are also always there if you need to go back and ask for further information/tell them you are struggling in the interrim, etc.

There are CBT resources online. Have you checked them out?

Some organisations like MIND maybe able to offer workshops on Mindfullness etc, if you google MIND and your local area or borough you should get them.

Your local IAPT can offer CBT which you can self refer to, though there is likely to be a short wait.

If you google you mental health trust they should give you details of any crisis services they have.

But yes, there is little the GP can do about mental health services waiting lists.

I think the responses here are all truthful but slightly brisk and not very empathetic!

3-4 months is a long time to suffer with anxiety, panic attacks and flashbacks. Please make another appointment and get some medication to tide you over. It must be awful for you at the moment, and it’s impacting your life if you’re missing lectures.

Massive hug. You have all my sympathy.

Oh! And books on CBT might help. I bought one on kindle called Overcoming GAD - Generalised Anxiety Disorder and it’s very reassuring and helpful, with loads of tips you can try.

The GP told me he didn’t like to prescribe anti-anxiety medication because the side affects can often be worse than the original symptoms. It might be worth going back and asking again though

@Bananapancakes3 I had beta blockers which slow your heart rate so ease the panic attack itself.

Try and see another GP if that one won't prescribe anything

Try downloading the Headspace mindfulness app and see if that helps you. Also when experiencing a panic or anxiety attack try practising the following to help ground yourself and stop your mind racing:-
Acknowledge 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell and one thing you can taste. Hope this helps

@Spidey66 @HasThisSoddingNameGoneToo

Thank you for the recommendations! I’ve had cbt before when I was about 16 but I’ve probably need a bit of a refresher course as clearly I’m not coping too well

Have you tried exercise to help with the anxiety. A brisk walk if you feel the panic rising can help dissipate the cortisol (I think it is cortisol) which has been triggered by the adrenaline/anxious attack. Maybe a bit off on the science - but in essence think like a cavewoman....
sabre tooth tiger on the hill....adrenaline....run...dissipate adrenaline/cortisol....calm.

Without the run/walk fast bit the adrenaline etc just continues to be pumped around the bloodstream. A raise of your heart-rate by walking etc calms it down

Definitely go back and see about medication. Beta blockers work for me and the only side effect I had was feeling a bit sick for a short while after taking them for the first week or ten days. Much better than the complete panic I felt without them!

I think you should see if there are any apps that could help. Headspace usually gets good reviews. There may be some hypnotherapy ones you can listen to. Failing that - any self help books?

GP services are stretched, they have 15 minutes to get you in, get you diagnosed, and get you out. They are generalists, not specialists. Their number one priority is making sure they don't miss a serious diagnosis amongst the throng of minor ailments, coughs and colds.

There are only limited things a GP can do for your mental health. They can refer you on to specialist services. They can offer you medication of modest efficacy for many, which often comes with side effects. They can sign you off work for a period.

That's about it.

I sympathise OP as I've suffered MH issues in the past. I think it was poor potentially your GP did not have a fuller discussion around medication as I've found ADs and anti-anxiety medication to be really helpful in terms of my anxiety.

I was almost 12 months after being diagnosed to receive 1:1 CBT on this NHS, my GP would only referral after trying medication and attending lectures on MH strategies as that's the criteria in my area apparently to try to limit wait times. So I would suggest you see another GP to discuss medication and also ask if you have anything like that in your area. Check again with the University to see what they can offer.

Also look at some MH resources - Headspace, look into Mindfulness etc and see if you can implement some small changes and best practices in the interim

If you can afford it look into private too

You shouldn't have to, but I'd find whatever help you can outside the NHS. The three month wait may be for another 'gateway' appointment, where you're assessed and then go on another waiting list.

If things have got significantly worse since your accident you might have symptoms associated with trauma. If so, EMDR may be a suitable therapy for you. I have similar and mindfulness actually brings on the flashbacks, it's not a cure all (though certainly worth trying).

Also worth letting your tutor know that you're struggling.

Hi OP. I've suffered with anxiety most of my adult life. Don't know WTF is wrong with the tone of certain posters here today. Did someone piss on their Monday morning cereal? Anyway, all GPs are definitely not equal when it comes to mental health issues. I've moved around a lot, and have found the best strategy is to ask the receptionist or even better - the practise nurse - to recommend which GP in the surgery is best for mental health stuff. Whenever I've made an appointment based on those recommendations I've always had far better support. I'm in Scotland though, which might make a difference (you can usually ask for an appt. with a particular doc). I would try and see a different doctor, as your GP's comments about not prescribing anxiety meds, from personal experience, mean you'll be better seeing someone else more open-minded.

If you have the finances, I really recommend private CBT. Even a few sessions to start you off again and then you can pursue it online/through reading etc... while you wait for your appointment.

Other things for me are nutrition - completely cut out alcohol and caffeine and processed sugar if possible (the latter is difficult, but the first two in my experience are essential to begin with when recovering or going through a bad anxiety period). Daily walks of at least an hour (brisk walking with headphones), yoga, meditation (guided is good I've found). Loose leaf lemon Balm tea in a flask carried about with me works wonders. For the past year I've been taking a low dose CBD oil which has helped with my insomnia and anxiety (the two being so very much linked). My anxiety is controlled largely now with a combination of the above. For a long time I was effectively a shut-in so that's massive progress for me.

Online, NoMorePanic is a useful website/resource. It has sections on absolutely everything and you'll get so much help there.

I'm sorry you're going through this. Anxiety has been the bane of my life and I really sympathise.

Wow, there are some really unkind responses on here. Why don't some posters think before they open their mouths?

I think you're getting a bit of a harsh reception @Bananapancakes3, but sadly, this is the state of the NHS at the moment. Your other options would be to seek help via uni or privately fund, as much as it isn't ideal. And try to identify some self help in the meantime if you can.

I have OCD and am having a severe flare up at the moment, been going on since December. I have just last week been booked onto some CBT, but it is only six sessions and won't be enough to get me out of this phase on its own. I will have to self fund or continue to find better coping mechanisms. It is very easy to slip through the cracks with MH issues.

When I was waiting for CBT my GP handed out a list of various books I could borrow from the library to help. They also have their own library within the GP surgery. Worth asking?
Could you look into mindfulness or breathing techniques to try and get you through the coming weeks?