How do I talk to my doctor about how I'm feeling?

[onestepmore]

A doctor's appointment is only 10 minutes. How do you convince someone in 10 minutes that you think you've developed anxiety, when you have no prior history?

Is it a waste of everyone's time getting in touch if I don't feel ready/able to do anything to change my behaviours?

I feel a bit hopeless, TBH.

I'm not playing the mental health card because I don't want to go back into the office. I've tried getting public transport (dry run) and I've felt nauseous, dizzy and panicky, and had to break even short journeys into really long ones, because I don't feel safe/in control. Right now, I'm not even sure I could even travel as far as into the office.

Even if I got there, I don't think I'd cope being around my colleagues in person. Close contact really freaks me out - I feel a bit more comfortable outdoors, but still really uncomfortable - the thought of being 'trapped' in a building around people makes me want to throw up.

I'd give more details, but I want to avoid the details of my mental health becoming a Daily Mail article. I hope you understand - I'm feeling pretty vulnerable right now. How I behave right now is completely different to how I did 15 months ago. I don't recognise myself.

I think I need to do something, but I don't know how.

I found writing down the key points to take to my appointment really helped. Part of anxiety can be the feeling that it's not something that others will take seriously etc. but if it's real for you and it's affecting your life in a negative way (which it clearly is) then there is no reason that you won't be heard and understood.
When I finally got to my appointment I was so wound up and stressed about opening up etc that I burst into tears! (not recommended although it probably helped my case!). Good luck I hope you can access the help you need. I'm sure there are many people who have developed similar feelings after all the covid drama etc

Could peri-menopause be a factor? New or increased anxiety is a very common symptom.

How would you relate any medical issue to a doctor?

Describe your symptoms, and anything else that might be relevant, i.e. if there's a specific time of day they flare up, a situation that exacerbates them, any particular habits or actions that make them worse or make them relent etc.

You don't need to relay your entire life history or go into extensive detail about environmental factors that might be behind the underlying cause of the illness, explaining HOW you are ill should be enough for a doctor to draw the necessary conclusions.

And yes, I'd echo the point about perhaps writing down a short list of symptoms and events that you think are most pertinent might be helpful, so at least you have something to refer to if you clamp up when the doctor asks 'why are you here?' or such.

If you think you honestly need far longer than 10 minutes, then perhaps you could ask for a double appointment to give you the chance to talk in a bit more detail, although, the person that you really want to be doing that with is any specialist that the GP refers you on to, rather than the GP themselves.

Good Luck

I think it's important to recognise that what you are feeling is not uncommon. I've been fortunate to have had some days in the office since last March but the first couple of times I made myself ill with anxiety.

I agree with other posters about writing down points, I've done this with drs before because it can be so hard in the minute to get everything out coherently.

Public transport is currently something I cannot bear and have only managed a couple of trips and had to get off early because of the trapped feeling.

Does your work have a plan for people returning? If you can speak to a health and safety person and see any risk assessments they've put in place it may help, and if you speak to HR they may be able to offer a phased return.

But do reach out for help, it's tough times and you won't be alone

Thanks for the support - I wasn't expecting it.

@PineappleTart Work's plan is for people to start coming back in now, given most people should have had the chance to get vaccinated, if they want. There will be no more social distancing observed in the office, masks aren't encouraged and neither are LFTs. Honestly, the more I know about our Covid policies, the most anxious I feel... Also, we can't open windows - I don't even think they do open. It's just air con.

@XDownwiththissortofthingX Thank you - I will try to write a list.

@Aquamarine1029 I hope not! But peri-menopause symptoms are so generic, I can't say for sure. Trouble sleeping, fatigue, mood swings - a lot of them are just normal life symptoms!

@bananabread2000 I guess I know it is affecting my life negatively, but it means a lot to hear someone else say that, as it makes me feel a bit less stupid in wanting to talk to someone.

-write it down - write down what you have written here

• ask if you can make a double appointment
• doctors see this all the time and absolutely understand - anxiety is incredibly common in doctors so there is a good chance doctor has either had it or knows a colleague who does. Anxiety /depression is one of the most common things GPS see
• it had been an awful time in our history
• you have made the first step -you can absolutely do this

( from a GP with her own anxiety and depression)

Uh, no wonder you're feeling anxious. If you can please do speak to someone in hr. Your work still have a duty of care to employees even without the restrictions. Even with vaccinations Covid is still a risk. I do hope you speak to your dr. I have anxiety medication and I have a different type I can use when my anxiety is greater and I've used that a lot recently

Your work don't sound very supportive, I think that is part of the problem. Surely you can wear a mask if you want to. Also bring your own hand sanitiser. In my workplace only half of us can come back because every other desk will be empty! We have a lot of CEVs.

As pp said your employer has a duty of care.

@MistySkiesAfterRain I can wear a mask if I really want to, but I'll be the odd one out, and I can't stop anyone from sitting right next to me for the whole day. I won't sit next to someone on the train for a few minutes (I'll move, stand or get off if I have to), so working next to someone all day long makes me feel sick, especially when I know they're not as careful as I am, and might not be vaccinated.

The problem is, I think the guidelines for being "Covid-secure" aren't that strict, and the people in charge at work don't think Covid is a massive deal. They know people who have had Covid and just been a bit ill - in my circle of friends, I know people who have died or are suffering from long Covid. I don't think they're not meeting their legal obligations, just that what the Government think is OK is not where my comfort level is right now...

@PineappleTart I feel too upset to know for sure whether I'm being irrational and need medication, or if everyone else is being irrational, if that makes sense.

@LunaTheCat Thank you so much, I really appreciate your thoughtful post. I'm working my way up to booking that appointment.

I never do they don't like you taking notes in, I use the patient access to do it or send a letter, every time and keep it succinct and to the point.
I've had a much better result doing that.

I finally reached out for help with my anxiety in January. I worried a lot about the appointment, and wrote down everything I wanted to say. In the end, the appointment was 4 minutes long and I walked out (metaphorically, as it was on the phone) with a prescription for Sertraline which has absolutely changed my life.

There is so much hope for you, they will understand, and you can and will get the help you need :).