Should I go to the doctors

[juliesarab]

I have a history of anxiety. I had a very bad episode about 10 years ago when I was off work for quite along time with very bad panic attacks. Anxiety will always be something I suffer with but have 'coped' since then. I have lots of things in my life causing me stress this year- mum ill, husband being made redundant (even though he now has a job), nephew ill, work based bullying and I had quite a bad panic attack about 3 weeks ago which slightly came out of the blue. Since then its liek a switch has been flicked - I have awful jaw pain (stress related) and just feel exhausted. Going into work each day is a huge task - mainly because I am not busy enough to distract myself and have too much time to think. I am job hunting too - again causing myself stress!!! I just dont know ehat to do - I feel by going to the doctor I am being defeatist and I dont want meds as I just dont want to go down that path. Part of me just wants to ask for some time off work (I have the 'stop the bus I want to get off ' feeling and then again I dont want to seem like I am skiving. I just dont know what to do.

I'd go to the docs and explain how things are at the mo. Quite often they'll sign you off for 2 weeks with a vague illness. That'll give you time to relax and regroup a bit,

Go to your GP, they will almost certainly sign you off with whatever you ask them to put on the form.

It is scary to go, but better sooner than later. I'm sure you know this having suffered already. Just get a vague sick note for stress.

In my experience doctors don't just want to prescribe medication. Perhaps you could ask for some talking therapy if you feel up to it, I am finding CBT helpful, but it's not for everyone.

Hope you feel better soon, it sounds as though you have a lot of stress in your life at the moment. Keep posting, it helps.

Oh and forgot to say, you really aren't skiving if you feel like this. You have a genuine reason to be signed off!

thank you - I feel awful today - I have a really bad headache and feel so sick. I have just snapped at a resident ( I work with older people). I know all the warning signs and I know deep down I need to do something. Its not my boss that I need to worry about - more my residents and one in particular (who was the one trying to bully me) . You are right and deep down I know it (probably why I posted) just need some encouragement!

Docs, definitely

Don't write off medication - I found it essential for my anxiety/depression and wish I'd done it sooner.