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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask about your experience with going to the GP about anxiety?

26 replies

RosesBloom · 14/08/2020 01:42

I have had quite severe anxiety for over three years. In that time I have not told anyone.

It comes in waves and phases and at its worst I was waking up in the middle of the night having panic attacks or having nights where I felt like I was on the brink of a panic attack and having to distract myself and stay awake all night. At its best it is just a constant underlying sense of fear and dread over everything. It affects every area of my life and I avoid so many things because of it.

I have tried to open up with family and friends but I am just brushed off as it just being my personality type to worry about everything. I am also a very private person so I struggle to speak about personal things and that is why I have avoided seeing my GP for this long.

However recently I had a health scare. It was a false alarm thankfully but it was a stressful few weeks of waiting. I already had health anxiety and this situation has just amplified it. Before that my anxiety was at the chronic low-level stage but since then I can feel it is ramping up again.

Sorry for rambling. What I mean to ask is to those who have gone to the GP about anxiety, how was your experience? How much detail did you have to go to when explaining your anxiety and what treatments or help was offered? Thank you.

OP posts:

Howlongcanthisgoon · 14/08/2020 01:56

I spoke to my GP today. She was lovely. Go and talk to them. You don’t have to follow their advice if it doesn’t suit you. If you don’t like your GPS response, see someone else. The surgery may have a GP specialising in mental health.

ClickandForget · 14/08/2020 02:01

Hi RosesBloom

I'm getting on a bit in years, but your post describes exactly how I've felt, in the past. You just struggle on. Trying to be normal, but inside you're just going through the motions of trying to be normal. I talked to my GP but it didn't help at all. So many people present with anxiety it's hard for them to understand your own personal nightmare. I tried to PM you but not sure how. I have been exactly where you are now and trust me, it will go away
You can get over this. I absolutely promise you can xx

MollieMaeve · 14/08/2020 06:52

My GP wasn’t great - they just offered me anti anxiety medication.

I self referred to the local NHS mental health support service and after assessment was given a course of CBT. That was a completely game changer for me and has made a huge difference (my anxiety sounds similar to yours).

DaisyArtichoke7 · 14/08/2020 06:59

As well as going to the GP I would recommend the book Self Help for your Nerves by Claire Weekes. It has improved my life significantly.

FippertyGibbett · 14/08/2020 07:03

If you just say that you think you’ve got anxiety, they should do the rest.
If you worry that you won’t be able to say it, write it down.
Do you have a GP you trust more ?
And don’t be scared of antidepressants, they are a real lifesaver for some.

MistressMounthaven · 14/08/2020 07:15

My GP was very sympathetic, the other GP, now she has retired is not really.
I found the anti-ds offered to me didn't suit me, made me very agitated.
A book I found helpful was Dare by Barry McDonagh. This was more about learning to live with the anxiety.
www.amazon.co.uk/Anxiety-Panicking-powerful-self-help-suffering/dp/1500117927/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&s=books&keywords=anxiety+self+help+books+dare&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1597385410&sr=1-7
There is a new book out called Breath by James Nestor which is about how breathing techniques can help you become fitter and calmer. This might be interesting for you.

SeaMayweed · 14/08/2020 07:19

I had a positive experience a few years ago and am grateful to the 2 GPs who helped me. It took me quite a long time to make an appointment and with hindsight I wish I'd done it earlier. I took in short notes on the key things I wanted to convey so I could be quite focussed and which was helpful in getting the consultation going. Options were discussed. I am happy that I sought help.

Downunderduchess · 14/08/2020 07:25

One of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I was seeing a psychologist also, but starting medication was literally a life saver for me. My GP was very supportive.

suriv · 14/08/2020 07:25

My GP was fab. I was suffering panic attacks. He signed me off work as it took one pressure off me. He then referred me to CBT. Changed my life. I did it through IESO, you can self refer. It's all online which I preferred as it gives you time to construct an answer and it's completely anonymous. It's typing not video.

Please get help, it will make life so much easier.

Gatr · 14/08/2020 07:27

It might be worth having a think of what you would like to come from the appointment.

Would you like to try medication or would your rather explore an option like cbt? Or prehaps both? Sometimes people can feel palmed off by medication, but others dont feel they can wait for the effects of psychological work.

Lots of areas have services that you can self refer in to so it might be worth having a google. In my area you can self refer to peer support groups, courses on anxiety and cbt
I now work in mental health but previously ive had a variety of responses to going to the gp
The first time i went, i felt a bit pressured into a referral or medication when i was more just looking to raise it with my gp rather than expecting a big course of action. My anxiety means i oftens struggle to communicate what i need, and so i really found having an idea of what would be helpful and pre written questions was the key to me feeling like an appointment had been successful. More Recently i self referred to a local service, and found it much easier to skip the gp stage and go straight there, i didnt have to wait for a gp appt, i often cant sleep arround appointments etc and felt more in control by filling out my own referral

dairyfairies · 14/08/2020 07:32

I was told I worry too much and to relax and take long walks.

I also have a lot of burnout symptoms (caring for a severely disabled child, working, no family or respite) and asked for a sick note for a few weeks as I hit rock bottom (never had sick note before) and was told I should hand in my notice and take a longer break from work. (easy, as I can just shake the magic money tree to pay the bills).

I won't be going back for those issues.

ritzbiscuits · 14/08/2020 07:35

My GP was excellent, very understanding and reassuring. She offered medication and/or CBT. I made the decision to do a 121 CBT course which I'm just finishing and has been amazing for me.

Like others have said you can self refer to many services, this is the one for my part of the U.K.

www.selfhelpservices.org.uk/

SC1989 · 14/08/2020 07:41

I have recently spoke to my doctor about anxiety. I live in Birmingham and so they referred me to Birmingham healthy minds. I was offered CBT or counselling. I opted for CBT as I was having weekly chats with the HR partner at work as my anxiety was work focused.
My GP rang me up a few months after to see how I was doing.
Generally wait lists for CBT are very short in my area too - surprisingly - so hopefully you get to talk to someone too.
I was putting it off for years. You should speak to your GP. Don't feel disheartened if they ask you to self refer - it will be to a dedicated organisation so you just have to have the courage to book the first session.

Namechangr9000 · 14/08/2020 07:47

This sounds so familiar I just literally wrote a post about it last week . I spoke with the dr and they said to try some breathing exercises and self refer for counselling. I filled in the online form but it said they aimed to get back to me in 6 weeks. Although I have suffered for 5 years it's got more intense recently and that feels a long time to wait for a response (not even an apt) but I know MH services are really stretched so not all that surprised. I am going to call back today.

cheezy · 14/08/2020 07:50

I second the book Dare. Anxiety is very treatable OP so don’t despair but it sounds like it’s time you had some hell with it

Jennygentle · 14/08/2020 07:54

My GP was amazing. I’d basically stopped sleeping and was in a terrible state. She listened, sympathised, gave me some good advice, some Diazapam (to get me sleeping), a counselling referral and, a bit later, Sertraline, which was transformative.

Livpool · 14/08/2020 08:15

I had post natal anxiety and took myself to A & E when I was at my worst because I was consumed by the thought 'what if I go mad and hurt my baby'. It all seems so ridiculous now

Best thing I ever did - everyone was so nice and helpful. And my GP took the time to understand where I was coming from.

It will be the best thing you do

HappyAsASandboy · 14/08/2020 08:16

I struggled on for years and years, getting myself well enough to function and then being an anxious wreck again 3 months later and the going round the cycle again. I was always aware that I wasn't "better", just coping ok for a while before I fell apart again

Eventually I went to the GP (when I got so bad I walked out of work at lunch time and couldn't go back). She prescribed antidepressants and referred me to CBT at IAPT. It took three different medications before I found the right one for me, but it totally changed my life. The CBT became so so so much more effective once the medication was working.

I took the (working) medication for about 4 months. CBT was 12 sessions over about 7 months, finishing 8 months ago. I no longer feel crazily anxious about life. I don't feel like I'm on some sort of rollercoaster of stable times and anxious times. I still get anxious sometimes, but it is proportional and appropriate and manageable.

Please do and see your GP, and look at self referral to IAPT if it's possible in your area. If your GP doesn't help then see another GP. Help is available, and could change the rest of your life.

Thegereldine3000 · 14/08/2020 08:20

All mine did for me was give me a leaflet.

greysome · 14/08/2020 08:59

Sorry to hear you're having such a hard time with the anxiety at the moment, it's a horrible thing to be experiencing.

I work for a MH team that do CBT, and most of our referrals are from GP's, although some come from other MH services. In my experience of referrals, most GP's are happy to refer for CBT quickly if requested. Some will push for CBT from the off, others will cycle through various medication before a referral is sent. Of course a lot of this will be directed by the patient too.

From what you have described, it sounds as if CBT could be helpful to you. Definitely worth speaking to your GP, who can look at a referral and discuss medication options with you too. I completely understand that opening up to the GP/ a therapist is a terrifying thought, but it is their job to listen and anxiety is a very treatable difficulty. Things can get better and you can feel differently, just take it one step at time and give the GP a call.

In regards to self help resources, if you google 'CCI health self help' there's a selection of really good booklets and workbooks based on CBT which are free to access. These will give you more of an idea of the kind of work you would be doing with a CBT practitioner and provide some strategies you can try in the mean time.

Namechangr9000 · 14/08/2020 12:35

This is amazing to hear. So inspired to read it and I am literally just going out to pick up a prescription of antidepressants now.

justoverthehorizon · 14/08/2020 12:47

A PP mentioned a book called "self help for your nerves" by Dr claire weekes. its brilliant and I woukd urge you to get a copy.

exercise, healthy fresh diet, avoidance of caffeine, alcohol will help. especially exercise.

In my experience a gp will just prescribe drugs, unless you get an especially good one.

Original poster

RosesBloom · 14/08/2020 12:50

Thank you so much for all of your replies. They have made me cry. I didn't realise how hopeless and resigned I was feeling. It is so reassuring that the majority of you have had positive experiences and I am sorry to those who have not.

I have read a self-help book before that taught CBT principles via journaling and I did find that really helpful but I have stopped doing it so I will start back up again with that. I will also look into the resources that have been suggested and do some research.

I will try and make an appointment with my GP for next week. I think it may end up being a telephone consultation due to COVID-19 but I think that would actually be preferable.

OP posts:

Thefab3 · 14/08/2020 13:14

I really feel for you op. Definitely go to your gp. Something is wrong and you need help and treatment. If you had a broken leg , would you just try and keep going and ignore it.
Make an appointment as soon as you can and write everything down if you need to.

Namechangr9000 · 14/08/2020 17:11

I will try and make an appointment with my GP for next week. I think it may end up being a telephone consultation due to COVID-19 but I think that would actually be preferable.

Both of my apts in the last 2 weeks have been phone apts which I found preferable as I wrote down everything beforehand that I wanted to say....and cried both times which I think would have been way more embarrassing f2f. Also I am going away for a week and I can still get a gp apt while I'm away.

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