What to say to GP

[WhackingPhoenix]

I’ve struggled for a long time with what I think is anxiety but I’ve never sought help for it as I’m anxious about how I’ll feel or spend my time if I’m not anxious, I also feel like I am probably depressed. I’ve had a very low period recently where I’m tearful and snappy all the time, picking arguments with DP for no reason but also feeling clingy. I also feel very anxious about what are probably inconsequential things, I’d say this has been the case for about 12 years. I have a lot of intrusive thoughts, many of which are photographic in my mind and quite distressing, even though I know they are imaginary.

I’ve stopped going to the gym and eating well due to money worries, my weight has spiralled and my body image is awful. This has made me even more anxious that my DP no longer finds me attractive and the whole cycle repeats.

I’ve decided I’ve had enough of feeling like this and have made a plan to speak to a GP tomorrow. I don’t go to the GP often so I don’t really have a relationship with any of the doctors there, nor have I ever mentioned struggling with my MH at any appointment I’ve had for anything else although I’m almost certain my anxiety has shown itself involuntarily. I’ve been on tricyclic antidepressants in the past for migraine prevention but they made me feel terrible so I stopped taking them.

Could anyone help me frame what I say to my GP please, just so it isn’t ‘word vomit’ and I can clearly express what I feel is wrong, and also help me know what to expect they might suggest as a treatment plan?

Thank you

I am going through the same thing op, you have my sympathy.
I went to see my GP last week. I am frankly crap at articulating how I feel so wrote it all down for her, even about my dark thoughts which are really scaring me right now.
I did actually break down as I’ve had enough but she was lovely. She has given me a prescription for Citalopram but like you I’ve had bad reactions to them so not sure if I’ll take them.
She has also given me the details for an organisation which offers therapy. I’ve gone onto their website and registered but I have had many years of CBT so not sure how that’s going to benefit me but I’m at a point I’ll try anything right now.
I would definitely write or type it all out, no matter how silly or trivial it might look.
Good luck, I know how you are feeling

It can help to have a summary written down so you don't forget to mention something important. Things you might want to mention are what your symptoms are and for how long you've felt like that, how the symptoms affect your everyday life and ability to function, what you've tried already and whether it worked, what it is that's prompted you to visit the GP now, and what you're hoping to get out of the appointment. Also important to say if you think there's a risk you may harm yourself.

Depending on what's available in your area and how the GP assesses your situation, the treatment can include medications you take as and when, medications you take every day, referral for talking therapy, referral for other activities, suggestions of lifestyle changes, or referral to more specialist mental health services.

Hi op,
Well done for making the decision to go and seek some help.
Does the surgery have a website? Sometimes they tell you an individual gp's interests, eg mental health. This could be helpful to know. It might also be worth booking a double appointment if your surgery can accommodate these?
As pp said - write it down and hand it to the doctor. They will be used to this. In my experience they really like it if you've taken the time to do this and it opens up the conversation a little.
Good luck, op. I've been there with anxiety (I have generalised anxiety disorder) Let us know how you get on?

Tell him like it is.
write it down maybe.
not “ how i am at best “
if things fluctuate but a worst day picture and explain with “ that’s 2 days a week or 6 days a week “ or what ever

I bit the bullet and spoke to my GP today, she was really lovely. She’s started me on 15mg mirtazapine and sent me a link to self-refer for CBT and also recommended some apps.

Anyone have any experience of mirtazapine?

Kudos on getting through the appointment, sounds like a good plan to get some changes rolling.

No personal experience of mirtazapine but from what I've heard other people say, it's good for anxiety and really helpful if you're struggling with getting to sleep or staying asleep. I've heard it can take a little while to find the best time of day to take them, so you're not feeling too sleepy when you're meant to be awake.

Please don't let this put you off the medication, but you might want to keep an eye on whether it's affecting your appetite and weight, as some people find they gain a bit with mirtazapine. BUT it sounds like that aspect of things has been badly affected for you by your mental health problems recently, so if the tablets help your mental health, the overall effect on your weight should be a positive one.

I hope someone with experience turns up soon, or alternatively I'm fairly sure I've seen threads in the mental health section about mirtazapine experiences.

I'm not the most massive fan of how IAPT talking therapy services have moved almost entirely over to self-referral in some areas… I feel like reaching out for help is harder for people when they're feeling rubbish — it can be difficult enough just making and attending the GP appointment — and it would be nice if the GP made the referral so all you had to do now was wait for an appointment to be sent. But since this is how it is, I'm going to urge you to do that self-referral as meds + therapy is how you give yourself the best possible chance of feeling better.

Good luck :)

Took my first dose last night, I decided to wait until I had three clear days off work before starting as didn’t know how I’d feel. I slept THROUGH THE NIGHT and woke at 10:30

Hopefully I don’t sleep through my work alarms, but I have told my boss what’s going on and what medication I’m starting, she is also an anxiety sufferer on antidepressants so she understands totally. Hopefully I start to see some improvements in my mood in the coming weeks, and a reduction in intrusive thoughts. I shall keep you all posted. Thank you for the handholds 🥰

A full unbroken night's sleep can make such a difference! Sounds like it was a smart idea to wait until you had some time off 🤣 I'm glad you've got a supportive boss, and hope things start to feel easier soon.

A week on mirtazapine and the sleep is still glorious 🤩 side effects so far have been daytime sleepiness, dry mouth and I’ve been hungrier than usual, but my mood hasn’t got any worse, touch wood. Hopefully we’ve struck gold with it 🤞🏻

👍 Sounds good so far! The true antidepressant effects usually take a while longer to kick in but it's great that the improved sleep has been instant and maintained.

Do you like sugarfree chewing gum? That can help with the medication cotton mouth.