To ask what I can expect from doctor's appointment for anxiety?

[wouldbe73]

I finally got an appointment with my doctor to talk about anxiety this morning. We spoke briefly over the phone and I was asked to come into the surgery in person, which I found quite surprising.

I'm really nervous as I have very bad social anxiety as well as general anxiety about anything and everything. I've got to the point where I'm struggling to function in my job and doing simple things alone, like getting on a bus or going to the supermarket. I feel constantly anxious and tearful.

What can I expect from the appointment and what sort of things will the doctor be asking? I'd really like to know what to expect before I go in, especially as I'm not very good at expressing myself vocally.

Has anyone got any experience of this?

When it was the norm to attend surgery for F2F appointments I have seen a couple of Drs for anxiety/depression. I know it seems really hard to go in person but it could just be that the Dr doesn’t just want to be a voice at the end of the phone. So many people are feeling they aren’t getting a good service from GP’s at the moment so try to see it as a positive that they are seeing you in person.

Tbh I just used to end up wringing my hands, gabbling about feeling panicked & low and bursting into tears. I usually came away clutching a prescription, after a discussion about what they felt could help me. Try not to worry

Hello! I've got lots of experience of this! Well done for getting a GP appointment.

If it helps you can write down notes, so the things you are struggling with. You could even say you were very nervous about making the appointment. The GPS are very good at asking the questions they need the answers too so don't worry about what to say.

The first time I went I just sort of sat there and burst into tears and said I'm so anxious all the time.

They were fine with that!

If you have recently had a baby they might ask about that. Don't panic if they do, they wanted to reassure me that lots of women have the thoughts I was having re baby and they referred me to a charity who helped me talk things through.

Thanks for the replies. For once I was hoping they would just offer an appointment over the phone (as seems to be the norm these days) because the thought of face to face is making me really nervous. Jotting down a few things on my phone might help me remember everything, thanks.

Don't worry if you can't remember anything. The moment you mention anxiety or if you do burst into tears they will 100% understand and make the appointment as easy as possible. It's not an interview but I found writing things down helped me as I could just say here is a list of what I'm concerned about and questions I had.

I had one recently, like you I was really worked up about going, she was lovely, really felt like she just wanted a F2F make sure I was doing ok, discussed meds and arranged a follow up call with her in a week, and a F2F with the MH nurse for me too.

I did make a note of things on my phone in case I needed them, I didn't - but having them there helped me I'm sure. Good luck.

Great that you managed to get an appointment. It's quite daunting, you've done the absolute right thing.

I have GAD and it was completely crippling, and can be even now if I don't keep on top of it. I use medication and talking therapies to help mine. There's currently a long waiting list, but if they offer you something, jump at it.

The doctors used to ask a standard set of questions at each appointment, and they will assess you for anxiety and depression.
The questions can be hard, and they will be so understanding if you get upset.
They may ask you about your routine and general health aswell, as it's connected. (I am better managed when I cut out alcohol and exercise regularly).

All the very best to you xx

I'd assume they're contemplating medication if they've asked you to go in. They'll want to check blood pressure and maybe height and weight before they prescribe.

Hi I developed worsening anxiety last year. Not spoken f2f with a Dr, but was given medication which has helped. Follow up was with a a nurse on the phone to tweak dose.

Mine was really understanding when I struggled to speak and got teary. I didn't get asked anything beyond describing how I was struggling, and I was very vague and waffly! They told me about mental health services in the area that I could access and then offered a beginner dose of citalopram for a month.

Thanks for the replies. I had a bad anxiety attack yesterday and don’t think I’ve got any tears left today - am just feeling drained. I hope they take me seriously.

Hope it went ok OP

I went for depression and I told the doctor I didn't think I could explain without crying. She just pushed the tissues towards me and said "That's no problem"
Honestly she was lovely, so sympathetic. As pp said try and see a face to face appointment as a good thing- it means they do take you seriously, those things are like gold dust right now.

They won't mind if you cry or get upset and it proves what you are saying if it happens.
They want to help you.
Good luck

How did it go @wouldbe73
I hope your Dr was lovely and supportive & the appointment wasn’t as bad as you feared.