Unhelpful GP appointment- advice please

[Starlight189]

Backstory, I have PTSD and am ‘maxed out’ as my doctor put it on psychological support (I.e therapy).

I waited a week to speak to a GP and when he called today, he was so cold and has made me feel worse. He basically said that he wanted to max out my Sertraline to 200mg and see if that helps. I’m currently on 100mg and 200mg seems a big jump.

He was quite dismissive of my concerns about side effects and seemed cross when I mentioned that my counsellor had suggested a mood stabiliser might help - apparently GPs can’t prescribe this. I asked about EMDR through the NHS and he said there was no point as it would take 2 years for an assessment.

He couldn’t tell me what a plan B would be, but said to talk again in a few months. I feel a bit lost…I guess what I’ll do is start increasing by 25mg a day and then taper up to 150mg to see if that helps?

Just looking for reassurance please, I didn’t think speaking to a GP would make me feel worse and more confused.

I'm sorry op, I've had similar issues.

Ultimately there's not a huge amount the nhs can do in a decent time frame. I was referred for something in May 2020, I'm still on the wait list. There's not much a GP has the power to do apart from medication.

The nhs just don't have the resources/therapists/money available, especially for MH treatment. EMDR is expensive, and most therapists are private.

I'm now paying privately for a therapist.

Thanks Gothmoth, it’s weirdly helpful to know I’m not the only one. I know MH services and the NHS are so stretched at the moment.

I can use savings for a block of EMDR, I’m hoping that might help a bit. I’ll try increasing the Sertraline too - maybe a bit more slowly than the GP suggested.

Appreciate your response.

It is tough. I'm on Venlafaxine so similar, and 150mg is fine.

It does feel like just masking the problem in some ways, but tbh it's the only way I can survive so I just keep taking it.

I'd love to see a psychiatrist and have more specialised therapy, but I can't afford it and apparently neither can the nhs. My usual counsellor that I see weekly definitely helps me stay on an even keel/get through every day life though, and it's as much as I can afford.

I've looked into private care/getting medical insurance, but it looks like if you already have pre existing MH issues they don't cover certain things, or it's prohibitively expensive.

It's a nightmare isn't it. I'd love EMDR too, but it's £110 per 50 minute session, so that's out.

Wow, £110 is crazy! Have you thought about doing it online? I’ve found someone who offers it for £50 a session which obviously is still a lot on top of private counselling, but I’m at my wits end. Everyone local was charging £80+ and had no availability anyway. There’s a lot of evidence suggesting it’s as effective online 🤞

If you can afford EMDR from your savings, I’d recommend signing up as soon as you can. I found it absolutely miraculous! I had/have C-PTSD and after 15 sessions of EMDR I can’t even begin to describe the difference it’s made to me and my life - if I’d known I would have done it years ago!

It is expensive but unlike other types of therapy which can take years to make a difference (if at all for PTSD) it can and does help.

To add, I did my appointments virtually during lockdowns and I really liked being at home and feeling safe during the sessions. My EMDR therapist who used to practice face to face pre covid now highly recommends online appointments because of the safe space effect of being at home.

Go on the waiting list anyway just in case you still need it when your turn comes around

Thank you so much - this gives me hope!

Good idea - thanks

Your counsellor is massively overstepping, they aren’t medically qualified. I’d actually say that they should be reported to their professional body. GPs wouldn’t even have the specialist knowledge to start a mood stabiliser. I’d ask for a referral to mental health, the referral criteria are likely to be quite high though. And personally I’d think about saving for EMDR. I’d personally pay the extra for a psychologist. Unlike counselling it’s very time limited to one or a few sessions