To realise why people can't cope

[Dandelion34]

I rang my gp today. Told him I had developed anxiety and couldn't really enjoy being out in public areas. Told him my symptoms and when it triggered. Explained I was feeling exhausted after a short time out as the anxiety was zapping my energy.

Kind doctor. Explained my options. Didn't really advise. Told me it was my choice....

Join the councilling waiting list but it's extremely long.

He did say meds weren't his first choice and explained they were addictive and short term they may help, but they don't help the actual problem. He sent me a link to a mental health website. It said £49.99 after the first two weeks.

I'm certainly not the most affected person. But I could do with some help to get myself out of this thought pattern.

It just got me thinking how hellish it must be for people feeling suicidal or chronically anxious all the time. There's not particularly any support available.

I feel like I've got to just hope for the best and hope I read something inspiring online. But for the first time in my life my mental health is really suffering and it's really scary to feel so alone

Sorry you’re feeling that way but mental health has been in this state for years. The support is non existent. I have family members with schizophrenia and bipolar and they often get to crisis point. Even then the help is dire. They usually have to get so psychotic, they end up being sectioned.

If you can buy CBT books yourself that will be a good start and I agree with your GP, meds are just a plaster.

It's awful isn't it.

I feel really bad for your family member. How awful. It's no wonder people give up. They offered me antidepressants but I don't feel I'm depressed. I really just wanted some advise but you need to have quite abit of money for therapy. I can't afford that. I'm hoping to find a good book and do some bedtime reading.

I disagree with your GP as I finally starting taking anti anxiety medication nine months ago and it's made such a difference for me.

Mental health services are a state though, fully agree with the pp there.

The Tories have done a real number on public services over the last 10 years through austerity and mental health services have suffered and become particularly inadequate/under resourced (they weren't great anyway).

Problem is, the effects of Covid will lead to a mental health crisis and people won't get the support they need. Same with social care.

I'm sorry OP, it's shit isn't it. Do you have a link to the website please?

@Dandelion34

Buy the CBT idiots guide book. It’s brilliant and has helped lots of people I’ve worked with. (I work in the MH field). If you’re still feeling bad after reading the book, then maybe meds would be a good idea but generally they are not the first thing people should try.

Sorry it’s not the CBT idiots guide anymore it’s been renamed CBT for dummies. It sounds like a misleading title, but actually the book is quite extensive.

Can I ask what medication has worked for you tempnamechange98765?

You can find YouTube videos with videos to help manage anxiety. I find Mel Robbins helpful x

Thank you everyone. I'll look into the book thanks! I think reading might be good for me.

It's www.headspace.com

Hope thay helps x

Hey, if you struggle with physical symptoms of anxiety such as shortness of breath, racing heart. feeling sick, shaking etc, I can highly recommend you ask your doctor about beta blockers. They are used to treat heart issues, but also anxiety. I am prescribed propranolol due to past panic disorder and I find it SO HELPFUL.

It basically slows the release of adrenaline so it takes you out of fight or flight. It doesn’t do anything for the anxious thought cycle but I found my physical symptoms were so bad I couldn’t even begin to consider the thought cycle until those were dealt with.

I also recommend the following books:
Overcoming Anxiety by Helen Kennerley (it’s based on CBT)
Making Friends With Anxiety by Sarah Rayner (looks like the PDF might be available online!!)

Headspace is ok, too expensive for me. I find it also makes me focus too much on my anxious feelings which I get is the entire point, to “notice” the feelings haha but it’s a little hard for me sometimes.

I also self referred for CBT online recently via NHS and I got a call back very quickly, not sure how long the waiting list will be after that.

The things I try and tell myself are: “thoughts are not facts” “this is temporary” and “thank you to the worry for trying to keep me safe, I am steady now”. I wish I could say I’ve managed to recover completely from it but I’m a lot better than I was when I was in the midst of panic disorder.

I hope any of that helps, I would recommend those books and asking about beta blockers - you take them only as and when you need them and there’s no withdrawal or crazy side effects like with some SSRIs. Also try a little lavender oil on a hanky when you go out. You’re not alone and anxiety is unfortunately so natural, we literally have it built into us in order to help us on an evolutionary level but we need to understand it and accept it as much as we can.

I am starting to notice that nobody is completely unchanged after all this. Some people more than others. I am making a big assumption that it is the result of lockdown but I realise it may not be! I think you should try other avenues before medication - the addiction would be the main drawback!

If you feel that your anxiety going out is as a result of the pandemic, I don't think that it is completely irrational to feel that way and CBT could really help you understand your anxiety - before resorting to medication.

I think Headspace is doing a free section to do with coronavirus if that helps any.The calm app is good. Breathing and mindfulness is good, too.

Anti depressants are not addictive. It's really irresponsible of your GP to say this.

Sorry forgort to say many people are prescribed anti depressants for anxiety.

Why didn't he just give you beta blockers? They're as and when and definitely not addictive. Sounds like your gp needs some refresher lessons instead of the tough it out attitude.

@gamerchick 100% - when I first went to the GP about my anxiety nearly 5 years ago I was dead set on no medication because I thought it would make me feel even more sick before I got used to it, then he told me about beta blockers and they changed my whole ability to manage my panic attacks.

@gamerchick

Why didn't he just give you beta blockers? They're as and when and definitely not addictive. Sounds like your gp needs some refresher lessons instead of the tough it out attitude.

I was refused them due to asthma

I was refused them due to asthma

Diabetics can't have them either. It sounds as if they just didn't come up in th don't have meds they're addictive conversation as the OP hasn't mentioned it.

Hi they didn't mention them. Had a panic attack in the night and now I feel sick and head's aching. Really had enough 😔

I had serious anxiety for years. Ashwagandha tincture drops made a big difference to me. I take 10 drops every day still. It brings down cortisol levels.

I have had the same in the past, I was shocked how there just wasn’t any help there at all. Luckily I downloaded headspace which my GP recommended and it actually worked. I didn’t think it would but it lifted me out of my depression and I learned techniques to manage my anxiety which doesn’t really exist any more. I do also take a very small dose of amitriptyline every day which I believe helps too.

There are online CBT options in lots of areas now, and they should be free and accept self referrals. There is often less of a wait for the online stuff than the face to face. This link might help you find your nearest provider - www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-services/Psychological%20therapy%20(NHS%20IAPT)/LocationSearch/396

It might also be worth looking to see if Mind or Anxiety UK run anything in your area as these services are often free -

www.anxietyuk.org.uk
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/local-minds/

Most areas also have recovery colleges - these take an educational rather than a clinical/treatment approach to mental health, they can help people understand more about their condition and how to manage it. They are usually self referral too. I'm not sure where you live but if you put 'recovery college near me' or similar into google it should work - I just tried it and my local ones came up.

Anxiety is horrible and such a thief of happiness, I really feel for you op. It can get better though, I still struggle with my mental health and always will but I can manage it now and it doesn't rule me. I work in MH now and sadly people struggling to find support is a huge issue. There is often a bit more than people think though so do give the above a go, it really frustrates me that people are left trying to find things for themselves at a time when they are unwell. You don't often see people with a physical issue having to find and refer themselves to things that will help it but it's standard in mental health if people want to get any help at all.

Hope you turn a corner with it soon op.

He did say meds weren't his first choice and explained they were addictive and short term they may help, but they don't help the actual problem
^^
I'm really surprised by this. Yes most gps won't prescribe medication as a first choice where possible. The do help. Medication alongside therapy for anxiety is one of the most common methods of anxiety management.

Also just to add the meds aren't addictive. I've been on medication for both anxiety and depression for almost 6 years now and do not have an addiction to them.