Anxiety....what will my GP do to help me?

[Pinkknickers]

Hello, I'm going to call my GP today as I am finally admitting defeat and seeking help for my anxiety. I'm nervous and I just wondered what might happen during my appointment? I don't want to be sent home with a prescription for medication.

I recently had an appointment for the same and have been numerous times over the years. They will ask about your symptoms, and perhaps check your general mood using the PHQ-9 questionnaire.

In terms of the non-medication approach, I imagine you will get referred for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) to help with your thinking patterns. There is usually a waiting list, but it depends on your area. I had mine via telephone previously, but again it depends what services are available to you. I would have preferred face to face counselling, but I was unable to get it where I live. However there are many charities, such as www.mind.org.uk , who do offer free services, and in my area there are local charities (usually associated with a church) that help too.

I hope you get the help and support that you need, and don't worry about the appointment - GPs tend to be really understanding about mental health issues. By the way, if you think you need more than ten minutes to speak, try booking a double appointment. It is also a good option to write your thoughts, feelings and symptoms down to take with you if you think you will be nervous at all.

You probably will get prescribed an antidepressant but I imagine that they will suggest talking therapy too. Don't discount the idea of medication, it really can help.

Pre pregnancy I was taking medication for anxiety and mild depression. It really did help me, I was adamant it couldn't before I started. I know if people that have had good experiences with CBT too, I really hope you get the help that's right for you x

CBT can really help and if it doesn't they can refer you to other types of therapy. My CBT therapist was amazing. He couldn't really help, other than just being a general shoulder but he got me referred and fast tracked to another team who hopefully can.

Sometimes you have to try the obvious stuff like meds and CBT first and then they can refer you upwards.

I’ve gone through this recently too and was very anxious about my first appointment, however the GP was amazing and so helpful. We talked through all my symptoms, I cried a fair bit and then she went through options for treatment.
I felt the same as you and didn’t really want medication so she told me to refer for counseling and think about medication. I eventually went back and agreed to medication which has really helped me. CBT wasn’t helpful for my anxiety. Not sure if it was just the woman I saw but I just couldn’t relate to what she was saying and laughed a few times when she was asking me things. I did six sessions and kept an open mind but it wasn’t for me.