Going to the Dr's for my anxiety today... absolutely terrified

[Joharvelle]

After a horrible 2 weeks with increased panic attacks and anxiety i have got up the courage to make a drs appointment for my anxiety. I am absolutely terrified. I have horrible health anxiety that seems to be morphing into general anxiety over everything.
I have been feeling low for the past few months, not really wanting to do anything, just burnt out i suppose. But I have been hiding it and just trying to pretend I am ok.
My dh spoke to me last week about how he hates how anxious I am all the time so we decided I was going to try and get help. He is coming with me to the drs as I can't go alone due to the health anxiety.
I am absolutely terrified. I have spoken to the dr once before abandoning they put me on sertraline but I had an allergic reaction and I refused to go back after that.
Please tell me your positive stories so I can try and keep calm.

First of all, I know how bloody horrible anxiety is, I’ve been crippled by it in the past. Your GP will have heard from lots of other people with anxiety, I’ve been on sertraline too which didn’t work for me, but fluoxetine has worked really well, although it took a while.
Everything is going to be ok. Sending you a handhold xx

Thankyou. It's all just so overwhelming atm but I know i can't realistically carry on like this.

Anxiety is a 'doing' emotion rather than a 'feeling' emotion - i.e. it's purpose is to make you take action. It's often helpful to write down (for you and to show to the doctor) exactly what you are anxious about. So try to analyse the anxious thought – what specifically are you worrying about and what outcome do you believe will happen.

When people say they are anxious about 'everything' it doesn't generally mean they are scared that the chair they're sitting on will collapse, or that the roof above their head is likely to fall in. The more you can narrow down the thoughts, the easier it is to discount/disprove them.

The biggest thing that helped me was the knowledge - your anxiety is your nervous system trying to help you stay safe, but it’s getting it wrong. I’ve been like you so I get how debilitating it is, but it honestly helps to picture it as it’s own entity and say to it “Don’t worry, it’s okay, we’re safe.” and do some controlled breathing.

Add some meditation into your life too, there are lots of apps. It feels like it’s doing nothing but it helps to calm your nervous system over time.

Remove or reduce any toxic people that might be in your life.

Sertraline doesn’t work for everyone but there are others you can try.

I’ll include an image that I saved years ago:

You are doing the best thing for yourself! Big day and big feelings; don’t push them away but have some compassion for yourself.

Ask the doctor for a different medication and to be referred to your local talking therapies service.

Then when you leave do something extra extra nice for yourself.

Good luck!

Well done for making the appointment. And for going with dh.
These are brave steps to recovery.
Good luck.

firstly, how old are you? I only ask because my perimenopause symptoms started as severe anxiety.

ask your husband to help you articulate your feelings. Tell the dr exactly how you feel.

Thanks all. Trying to just get through the morning till appointment time. I'm hoping that my dh will be able to help me explain cause I am very much used to saying "I'm fine" or "don't worry I will sort myself out". I had a bad childhood with a narcissistic mother so I'm not very good at saying how I feel.
I'm 36 so maybe to young for perimenopause but I dunno.
Thanks for all the support.

Perhaps write down how you feel and what you think you need to tell the doctor. I have passed the Dr my piece of paper in the past as I've been unable to say it without crying.

Your childhood history sounds very relevant. I was so conditioned by mine that when it felt like I was totally over complaining, with hindsight, I was actually chronically under complaining.

With regard to the menopause, I sometimes wonder if pre-existing conditions (that have been hitherto undetected and contained) become more noticeable.

All the best with your appointment.

Thanks for all the messages. The dr was really nice and has prescribed me citalopram and referred me onto occupational therapy in the surgery who apparently will be able to refer me to other therapy and help. Now just to get over the anxiety of taking medication and actually take my first dose. I feel relieved that I actually went and we will see how i go I suppose. Spent all morning on edge so am absolutely exhausted now

Well done OP. My partner and a friend who both had trouble with sertraline were absolutely fine with citalopram. Anecdotal I know, but hopefully it’s the same for you.

Citalopram for me too and it really helped.

Thanks all. Took my first dose last night. Felt quite nauseous during the night and first thing this morning but it has got better as the day has gone on. Feel a bit odd but I dunno if thats anxiety or the medication. Hopefully the nausea doesn't last long or get worse cause I hate feeling sick.