Doctor said "just suffer" so low

[ashleyharriet33]

I've been having very severe anxiety for months now and haven't left my house since September.
I'm on waiting list for a therapist but looking at another 5 months.
I have bad physical symptoms.
I've started anti depressants but I'm not sleeping and vomiting etc.
I went to docs and told her how this isn't getting better,I want to get better and leave the house and how therapy is months away.
I asked for anything she could give me in the mean time to help (not beta blockers as I have really bad asthma) and she said sorry there's nothing.
I said what do I do then as I can't sleep?
She said well I'm not giving you sleeping tablets,I said there's nothing else to relax me? She said no you will have to do what you've been doing since September suffer.
She actually said the word "suffer "
I've left feeling hopeless

There isn't really anything that doesn't either react with antidepressants or pose a risk to your asthma. What antidepressants are you taking?

I would ask to see another GP. I've done that twice this month and the third GP was really helpful.

Wtf? Even if there is nothing much she can prescribe you, how on earth is telling an anxious patient to 'just suffer' remotely appropriate?! Definitely see another gp.

How long ago did you start the antidepressants?

The GP sounds like a dick, I'm sorry. I had to go through a few to find a sympathetic one.

Ridiculously unhelpful. I suspect in terms of medication there’s little else she can offer. It could be worth trying different types of antidepressant.

Alternatively, are you able to get out into your garden if you have one, or just open a window to breathe in fresh air. I’d also look at things like the Headspace app to develop some mindfulness skills. Breathing exercises will help. Also yoga - there’s videos on YouTube. All of those can be beneficial.

Are you looking after yourself - showering, brushing teeth etc? What’s your daily routine like? Regular small achievements can help.

Presumably you left the house to go the doctor's? How did you do that? What steps did you take and can they be repeated in order to go somewhere else?

My GP suggested Nytol - the heavy duty antihistamine type - I similar circumstances could you try that?

How did you get to gps without leaving the house?

How do you survive if you can't leave your house? And how did you get to the doctor? Could you do that again?

Are you doing anything else to help your anxiety? Breathing exercises, CBT, mindfulness, meditation? I wouldn't just rely on medication. I also recommend the HeadSpace app.

There are more than one kind of ADs, how long have you been taking your current ones? If its more than about 8 weeks then I'd be asking to try different ones - theres about 6 or 7 they can try and you may find one thats better for your anxiety.

I'd expect Sertraline, Citalopram, Fluoxetine and Mirtazipine to be on the list of possibles, Mirtazipine in particular is supposed to be good for anxiety and sleeplessness.

Unfortunately I think you have accidentally used drug-seeking language which may be why your GP has shut down a bit - "something to relax me" could be very easily taken to read "I want heavy-dose opiates or Valium".

I agree with PP suggestion to try another GP and try and find one you can relate to. Being told to suffer is not on. There is lots of self care you could look into as well as therapy etc... it does take time to get through these things (weeks or even months) and it is very hard at times but GP should be supporting & encouraging you.

Not tried it myself but a few friends have had Sertraline for anxiety and said it worked.
Are you in a health authority where you can self refer for online counselling, free on the NHS? It's quite widely available but not advertised. I had 6 CBT sessions and they really helped. I loved online. Much less intrusive than pouring your guts out face to face with a stranger. Google free online counselling NHS.