Has anyone seen a private GP for anxiety?

[SixSausages]

I've been considering booking an appointment with a private GP to help diagnose and treat my anxiety.
I know I've got anxiety but I've yet to be given a formal diagnosis as I'm too afraid to go to my normal GP

Has anyone got experience of this? How are they likely to treat it? I'm breastfeeding too so not sure I can have meds.

Why are you afraid to go to your usual GP? They will have seen it all before. If they are not likely to be helpful though, you could change GPs rather than have to pay out for a private one.

I just find my usual GP really rude and blunt. I'm not really keen to swap surgeries though as my DH and DS are registered there.

I did for depression/anxiety, as I wanted to try antidepressants without it being on my NHS record (they weren't a great help in the end, but thought they were worth a try).

Think about what you want/expect the GP to do for you, though. Do you need a formal diagnosis, e.g. for insurance purposes? If you want to try a talking therapy rather than medication in the first instance, then you might be better off just self-referring to your therapist of choice and saving yourself the GP consultation fee.

Most medical practices have several GPs and you can see whomever you wish.

For example.... If I have a female problem I go to one of our lady doctors. If it's about my chronic condition I go to a particular doctor who is not known for his bedside matter but is otherwise excellent and he knows me and my condition well. If I want a doctor who is more gentle natured I pick one of the other doctors.

Is it not possible to see another doctor than the one you wish to avoid?

There's only one doctor at my practise.

Yes, I went to a private GP because I wanted an appointment that day and my NHS GP is rubbish. She was lovely - my appt was half an hour so I really got to talk through the issues. She signed me off work for two weeks and whilst she didn't diagnose me she said it sounded like PTSD (which it is) and anxiety and referred me to a private psychiatrist to diagnose. My psychiatrist mainly manages my treatment and meds but I've been back to see the GP several times when I wanted to discuss things with her. Not sure I'll ever go back to my NHS GP.

PS I'm on sertraline which has been very helpful and is apparently safe. My doc knows we are TTC and having fertility treatment and was happy to prescribe and I think the same is true of breastfeeding

why does it matter where your DH and Dc are registered?

If you want to have private therapy, Anxiety UK would be able to find you a therapist pretty quickly. Have a look here: Anxiety UK

I see a psychiatrist privately and it’s nothibg to do with my nhs GP. I was originally referred through a private GP at work. I have seen her throughout my pregnancy and breastfeeding and she was happy for me to be on meds which are considered safe. I would not be without her. She is amazing and my life is much happier with her and my meds. If you need a recommendation in London let me know. You do need a referral through a GP but you can go to one of those private GPs that are around London for a ten minute appointment.

Diblet I'm looking into this atm and would really appreciate a recommendation.