Getting access to gp/ssris

[coooperboom]

All I want is an ssri I've been prescribed three times in the past. I have very severe and debilitating anxiety symptoms. I figured out it was anxiety yet again, started back taking the meds I had left over from last time, contacted gp to request a further prescription. But no, I'm referred without consent to a mental health practitioner. I don't want that, I am well aware and doing all I can without medication but I know I need the meds and my symptoms have largely subsided since I restarted them. It's just delaying things. Still waiting for a call I don't even want and then I'll have to be referred back to gp.
I'm frustrated
Has anyone else had issues with this lately with the primary care mh situation?

I can't say for sure of course
But I wonder if doctors are now being told to reduce these meds.

I just came off them after using them for decades. My doctor was very worried, but also worried because he said "if you need them again, it might be harder to get them". So perhaps something has changed.

There's a psych just started an AMA so might be worth posting on there.

Interesting. I wondered that. It's always been so easy before. It's a new gp but i feel already like it's going to be a struggle.
I could understand if it was my first prescription but I've been through this before for years, total like 15 yrs but I come off the meds because organisation is something I really struggle with plus recently had a good year or so.
I've drastically reduced caffeine and alcohol, being really mindful though I hate the term with my stress, doing exercises, walking more.
My symptoms are extreme, I felt like I was dying several times a day, going black, palpitations. I have calmly realised its anxiety linked to work because it doesn't happen on weekends or time off. Symptoms reduced on work days massively by taking left over meds. So the answer seems simple.

New GP might be a factor. I've moved and have a new one, haven't met them so don't know the procedures.

But I've seen a lot of trends doing the rounds in mental health care and I wonder if the criticism of antidepressant use is going to factor in what happens.
I hope you get what you need.