Hi ladies, I'm off to the doctors tomorrow to talk about a mental health care plan with my doctor. He's give me a form to fill out about my anxiety - circle the number thing. i am so anxious about the appointment, It's seriously eating me up inside I've literally never in my life talked to anyone about my feelings, how I actually feel when I'm hurt or in pain. I've never. I've never talked about my past time that I feel this all stems from either. So this is going to be a huge step for me, opening up to someone. Do I open up to the doctor or just show him the paper then see who he refers me to? he made me feel really comfortable today when I asked him about it (wasn't why I was there though), and just as I said it doesn't matter and that I was fine, he came out with me and booked the appointment for me. So he kind of gained a little trust from me which is good. But I had a panic attack earlier on thinking about the appointment, I was by myself, I never allow myself have panic attacks, I always suppress them so tight, but I just couldn't help it. I'm so scared I'm going to have one tomorrow.
Also what's involved in a health care plan?
Mental health care plan and anxiety
Mental health care plan and anxiety
Posted in:
Mental Health, Anxiety & Depression
6 Replies
It's really simple process you don't have to tell him everything but it would help if you say you do feel you need someone to talk to.
If you have a panic attack that is honestly ok. GPs are generally very good at this and it sounds like yours is very caring. I've broken down to my GP before, had panic attacks and all. They were very kind and caring and helped me with through it. To be honest they deal with far far worse!
Fill in your questionnaire and take it back. The GP will fill in a document and write a referral to an appropriate service wether that be counselling/psychologist/psychiatrist. He will probably prescribe some medication too.
Medication can take a week or two to adjust to or you might need to try a few different medications to find the right one. If you have any unwanted all side effects make sure you go back to your GP.
But please don't think you have anything to be embarrassed about no matter what happens in your appointment tomorrow.
Omg medication? Gah... I hate the thought of taking medication :(.... Also I do want to open up to him, I hope he gives me a chance too. I'm just so exhausted from everything. Thank you for taking the time to reply.
I know how you feel medication wise. I didn't want to take medication myself but jeez I felt so much better for it, and I wondered why I hadn't taken them sooner!
He might not feel it's appropriate in your case but I'd go in with an open mind about it.
I found my panic attacks decreased dramatically and I stopped panicking about having panic attacks (vicious cycle).
I thought to myself later if I had another illness that wasn't 'mental' would I be so against taking medication?
I wasn't a drugged up zombie I just felt better and like I wasn't nervous all the time.
Really? I don't want to feel drugged up and I don't want to be dependent on it. I always thought I just had mild anxiety that was manageable with yoga and going to the gym and changing my thought patterns etc. But it's so exhausting trying to think positively like it makes me feel better a little bit then something will happen and something else and then the cracks start showing and my old thoughts race around my head again. I am seriously nervous all the time I get anxious with human interaction or social situations. I'm only discovering all of this since studying for my new career which requires me to allow emotions to flow freely. And now I'm discovering all of this stuff about myself. But then I don't know what's real emotion or what's masked emotion because I suppress a lot. And I'm so confused.
I'm definitely not dependent on it or drugged up. I've never felt drugged up. Just feel like me but without the terrible anxiety. No zombies here.
I've been off meds for a number of years now. Wasn't addicted and wasn't reliant on them long term. They allowed me to get the most out of the therapy.
It's not like taking a Valium. It doesn't sedate you in any way. It just helps your brain adjust to normal levels, it retrains the brain.
My hubby was dead against medication and the GP explained it to him as having the happy pills to help him get to a space so he could get the most out of the counseling. Once the talking and new thoughts started to work he would come off the happy pills and cope on his own. I'm not sure if this helps explain it for you, but it did work like this for hubby. Good luck.