What happens when you ask a doctor for help?

[Karlwho]

If this has been asked, and answered, sorry.
I have an appointment with a (training) doctor next week, and it's predominantly to do with my mind haha. Where to start...

Grew up in a very toxic family; and went through every type of abuse. Cut off my main abuser in January of this year when they tried to bully and hurt my own kids. This has inspired me to FINALLY get myself some help. Fo r years I've been going through the process of making a drs appointment, and then backing out at the last moment. I feared that they'd think I'm a complete basket case and take my kids away.
I was in CAMS as a kid, and I remember downplaying it massively. When your abuser is sat in the chair next to you, and the dr is asking what the problem is, I couldn't point at the person next to me! Even though I wanted to. I've heard of the term c-ptsd, and I'm kinda self-diagnosing it.

I think itd help me if I knew what to expect from the dr. Or how to begin. any tips?

Hi OP, I would write down some bullet points, how this is affecting your day to day life, write down examples of symptoms / what you are struggling with, how does now compare to what is normal for you, what would you like to achieve. I would hope they will be sympahtetic, and discuss therapy, medication. Take a friend if it helps.

Don't downplay anything. Thresholds for help can be high. Any doctor will tell you the same - training or not. Good luck and well done.

Ps they will be professional and used to this so don't worry about how to begin.

Awesome, thank you. I thought about writing notes, a s my mind goes to mush in situations where it becomes emotional, and I come away thinking 'why did n't I say that?' Etc.
Is it doctors who can recommend counselling? Family and friend's have suggested that I'd benefit from it, and I wondered if that's the next step or something totally different? (I'm trying not to get ahead of myself, just wondering).
If I turn into a blubbering mess, will it matter?

Hey op.

I went to the doctor's last year as I was suffering badly with anxiety.

I didn't intend to go for that but I sort.of broke down when in the appointment which worked in my favour. I did have a list on my phone I had written just for me and I read through it. Ive heard other people say they just write the doctor a letter of they can't say it out loud.

Well done for making the choice, it is hard to do but it did help me at the time. I got offered therapy and medication.

Good luck xx

Its helpful to have bullet points but the dr will also have a list of things to ask about. Usually along the lines of:
Presenting complaint
History of presenting complaint
Social history (housing, employment, alcohol, drugs)
Medication
Medical history
Family history of MH problems
Psych history including self harm and suicide attempts
Personal history (childhood schooling relationships employment criminal)

They will assess whether you have a diagnosable mh issue and if needed refer you for talking therapy through the secondary mh team or back through your GP

Thanks to all for your advice. Seen my dr today, I've been put on beta blockers and referred to talk therapy.

Congratulations @karlwho that's the hardest step! Well done for going :)