Any nhs alternatives other than meds?

[bigfatmeanie]

I’ve been suffering from GAD for a really long time.
I’ve found that every form of meds I’ve ever tried has just made me 100 times worse.
Visited my gp the other day and mentioned this and asked about referral for possible ASD diagnosis or some counselling etc and was told that a psychiatrist won’t touch an adult diagnosis with a bargepole as they’re “too busy dealing with all the psychotics”
Basically then told that they’d only take a referral if I’d tried several different meds for at least 6 months each!
So frustrated I could weep, I’ve been suffering and in pain for years and I just want to feel better. I try and not let it affect my children but it’s bound to be on some level.
I’ve tried meditation/mindfulness and was seeing a counsellor privately but at almost £40 an hour it just isn’t financially viable with me not working (our children have ASD)
Not sure what else to do :(

Are there Iapts where you live?

You can self refer to your local talking therapies service. In the meantime try www.getselfhelp.co.uk

Have you tried the medication for at least 6 weeks each? Meds usually have side effects which last for a few weeks but once you're titrated on the dose your symptoms will lessen

I have just googled my local one and it says you can ring them yourself to discuss self referral.

I don’t want to out myself but I’m near Aberdeen x

Anything I’ve tried even for a few weeks has made me worse to the point of not being able to get out of bed and in the extreme feeling borderline suicidal.
I’ve never been able to get past the side effects and as my dh cannot get any time off work because of the type of job he has, I don’t have the option of riding it out while he deals with the dc.

too busy dealing with all the psychotics

Wow, did your GP mean to be so rude?
I see a psychiatrist. I am not psychotic.

I agree gp was out of order.
Visors doesn't seem to exist up there, but I have found the website for 'mental health Aberdeen' here who might be able to advise you.
I know you feel you have exhausted all medication options, but just want to check you have considered beta blockers? They have helped a friend to take some control of her anxiety.

Visors?! That was supposed to be iapts ffs

He really pissed me off with the psychotics comment, totally demeaning to anyone who’s ever needed mental health support.
I had beta blockers before but they made my asthma flare up so gp took me back off them.
Booked an appointment with the mh support worker at the surgery, she’s pretty good for getting things off my chest but again doesn’t think an assessment would help me because I’ve gone this long without one.
I also booked an appt with a women’s health physio to give me some advice in strengthening my pf and stomach muscles a bit.
Just going to keep trying alternatives out of my own pockets for a bit I think and maybe a change of gp

if you find something, let me know!! I also have been referred for ASD assessment

i also find most medication either makes me feel worse, or the side effects are just impossible to live with

Ah buggery, I'm asthmatic too so can't have beta blockers either, df waxes lyrical about them, so annoying.

When I had them they made me very lethargic as well though so they’re probably out too
Going to have to go zero caffeine, my lovely friend came round this morning with a costa and I’m literally losing my marbles, heart racing etc nearly two hours later

Not sure if this is any good OP:

breathingspace.scot/living-life/

I would go back and ask to see another GP though. At the risk of outing myself, I'm currently being treated for PTSD amongst other things in Aberdeen and I had no issues getting a referral to the adult mental health team. I also have never taken any medication and neither has my psychiatrist pushed it, he just went straight for a referral to psychology.

Have you tried hypnotherapy? It is very effective with GADS if you go to someone who is trained to help with this.

www.terencewatts.com/about.htm

If you contact Terence, he can recommend someone in your area, or you can work with Skype.