GP has referred me for counselling but I am really nervous about it

[havingamadmoment]

I went to the gp a few days ago because I have been suffering from anxiety and panic attacks for a few years and although I have sort of learned to live with it lately it has started to totally overwhelm me.

I did some questionnaires and he said he was going to refer me for counselling. I had a letter with an appointment today but I am really nervous about it and its making the anxiety even worse.

The thing is I always think of counselling as being for people who have something awful to talk about but I really dont, although I get panic attacks I am not a worrier (I dont worry about day to day life or have any phobias etc) its just physical symptoms and they are random. I dont have any problems causing me to panic I have a happy marriage and to be honet I feel like she's going to say I am being a fool because I just imaging that everyone else is going to be going for some major life trauma or at least have something to be depressed about.

My GP seemed determined that there was a cause for the anxiety and upset but I honestly dont think there is.

I know this probably sounds a little odd but can anyone relate to this?
What have your experiences of this been.

I'm sure the counsellor won't think you're a fool.

I'd go if I were you. Just because you don't have any major trauma to talk through doesn't mean you don't have a valid reason to see them. Maybe it will help with your symptoms, if it doesn't you haven't lost anything.

Your GP has trained for years, unless you have a strong reason not to, I'd trust them and go to the appointment. These things are always scarier to think about than they actually are in reality.

Why do you think you've got "No reason anxiety"? That makes no sense.

I am currently having CBT through my employer to help with depression and work-related stress, and although I'm a bit uncertain about it, I'm prepared to see it through the last 3 appointments.

What are you going to lose from seeing this counsellor? Let them decide as to whether you are "serious enough" to need their skills, but personally I would say that if your anxiety is affecting your day-to-day life, even if sporadically or taking up too much of your headspace, then it is worth seeing them.

Just view it as a chat with a new friend, but make sure you are absolutely candid. If you're not honest, there's little point in doing it.

You can say anything you like to a counsellor, they won't judge you in anyway. I have seen a counsellor privately and found it very beneficial, they help you to see things more clearly. Another book I have found helpful for anxiety is Anxiety No More by Paul David, he also has a website, it's worth a look. I did find however, that the counsellor that I saw on the NHS wasn't much use and didn't understand anxiety at all, but I guess it depends on the individual counsellor. Give it a try, what have you got to lose ?

I have sent you a private message

AndI - you are right that I have nothing to lose. I think it's jut hard to admit that you don't cope as well as it appears on the outside.

Meow - It has affected my life daily for years, in fact I would say my whole lifestyle is now built around it, for example I am self employed so that I can hide away and not face the world and my evening routine means I go to bed very early to watch tv (I get really bad in the evenings). So looking at it from the outside I probably look like it hasn't affected me but that's just because its gone on so long that my life has changed to fit in.

Counselling is for everyone not just those with an 'excuse' to feel how they do. You don't need to plan what you're going to say but if you don't think you have a reason to be anxious that seems like a good place to start in talking to them. Be completely open and honest, you don't need to worry about their feelings they're trained professionals and on your side.

Enjoy it, I think counselling is fab!

Just go and see what happens - the counsellor will not think you don't deserve to be there. The GP referred you and believe me it can be very difficult to get a referral where I live and a long wait after that.

Did the GP check your bloods etc? I had "panic" attacks when I was a student and not worried, having the time of my life in fact. I was given beta blockers and told to see the student counsellor but in the end it turned out my iron and ferritin levels were extremely low as I hadn't been eating very well. and that had caused by symptoms

I have blood tests every few months for an unrelated condition and I am already on beta blockers for high blood pressure . I will def go and I will be honest with them and hopefully it will help at least to figure out why I get like this.