over a year wait for CBT what now?

[anxietyhell]

I've just had my following up appointment over the phone about what therapy will be best for tackling my panic disorder/ agoraphobia. They think I'm best suited to a high intensity CBT programme but have been told that I'll have to wait just over a year because the waiting list is so long. I feel like I'm already at breaking point and am struggling day by day as it is so how am I supposed to wait over a year for help? I feel like just ending it all now.

Is there any way you could go private?

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Sorry you're having such a long wait.

Were you told during your phone appointments about any other treatment options?

I was warned that the waiting list for high intensity CBT (also my recommended treatment) was longer than normal.

The IAPT told me that there was a shorter waiting list for low intensity treatment and it was my choice about which treatment to go for.

I've had low intensity previously, so I said I'd wait it out, but I got the impression that low intensity is generally easier to access.

Could you ask your GP or the IAPT if you could have access to another form of treatment in the interim?

Also: would you be averse to antidepressants as a coping measure?

Hi, I wasn't offered any other form of therapy as I was told the waiting list for all treatments are about the same at the moment.
I'm currently on 100mg sertraline for my anxiety and depression but they're not really doing much at the moment.

Oh, that's shit.

I've not got personal experience with ADs, but there are a few threads on here that talk about going back to the GP for a change of regime, if something isn't working. Is that an option?

Yes I've got to phone my doctor in two weeks (can't get out of the house atm) for my second review. I was on 50mg I'm now on 100mg and if that doesn't work I suppose I'll have to up again or change meds.

Propranolol is good for anxiety symptoms and safe to take with sertraline. You can either take a slow release one every day or get some lower dose pills that you can take as and when. Perhaps contact your GP sooner and ask if they can prescribe you this. Good luck, it sounds awful and I hope you start to feel better soon.

Sorry to hear about your wait. I have found Beating the Blues - an online CBT programme - to be of some help. It's about £50 to download - which I appreciate isn't cheap - but if you are in certain areas of the country, the NHS pays.

Sorry to hear about your wait. I have found Beating the Blues - an online CBT programme - to be of some help. It's about £50 to download - which I appreciate isn't cheap - but if you are in certain areas of the country, the NHS pays. Good luck