Anxiety!

[Mishy2610]

Hi again, was here a week ago being positive and proactive about my anxiety. I signed up for online CBT offered by Shropshire wellbeing NHS. So I completed the first module! Then this afternoon I have had an email saying "welcome" Due to high demand a supported would not be allocated for up to a month, please don't start any of the modules until you here from your supporter! WTF sorry but really?? I saw a lovely doctor this morning with time to talk, she was pleased I was doing the CBT and thought it would help a lot, she told me to book another appt for 2-3 weeks time with her and was sure I would be well on the right track! Now I am so frustrated! Surgeon and cardiologist I have seen just don't get the anxiety thing! "Your fixed go on and live your life" Huh easy for them to say! Where are we supposed to go for help? Private health care? I wish I could afford it! Sorry just releasing some of this anger and hope lower the BP too!

[10gingercats]

This is often the case with NHS and CBT. I waited 8 months to be seen and i was in a pretty awful state .Then told it could not be face to face but would be with a group. Not good for me at that time. What is even more puzzling is that the NHS is advertising their CBT and asking people to contact their advisors if they need help!None of this wil help you but it can let you know this is not uncommon and you are not alone .

[1234_6]

So sorry you have to wait for the CBT to commence, especially if you were keen to commence it.

It is frustrating that help for anxeity is not actually avaliable when you feel you need it.

Don't forget that there are lots of other avenues for you also to explore to try and relax to reduce your anxeity a bit - both while you await the CBT sessions and the chance to talk through your worries and concerns - and for everyday use when you need them, including:

- breathing exercises

- relaxation techniques- such as stretching & relaxing muscles

- relaxation cd's

- meditation

- mindfulness

- art activities (for mindfulness) - painting, colouring

- journal writing

- gratitude diary keeping

etc

If you want to commence the CBT you could pick up a beginners course book at your local library to look at, then work back over things during the face-2-face or virtual meeting sessions.

Also, i'd recommend using the waiting time thinking about & identifying what your anexitys are & to list them out in order of which ones are worst ( so that you ensure you cover what you want to & dont forget things or run out of time due to looking too much at a lesser worry) & identifying your goals and what you want to get out of the talking CBT programme, as CBT seemed to me to be very much led by the person attending / the individual wanting CBT. I recommend doing the above just because i feel i didn't know enough about CBT when I signed up & felt I wasted a few sessions struggling to dentify what I wanted / needed from the course of treatment.

Do try & still progress with the CTB - please don't be put off by the wait.

I hope it works for you and wish you all the best.

[Mishy2610 in reply to 1234_6]

Thank you for your advice, I will take it on board 👍

[Hidden]

Dear you

Why you are waiting have you tried togetherall.com its a very popular online anonymous { if you won't it to be } sounding board.

I found it fascinating and it helps me, it may do you

togetherall.com 

Take care

[Mishy2610 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that!

[Laurab101]

Hi Mishy2610

I am in another group & saw this posted. I have checked the link & it is genuine. Although it is in Canada - someone emailed them and you can join in from the UK. It might assist in what you are looking for. Worth looking into anyway. Hopefully you will get the help you need soon. Best wishes Laurab101

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[Ascb]

I'm sorry you've had that experience. I hope the first module made sense to you and that you found it helpful. The reason they will have said that is in case there is any risk that needs to be monitored (as in risk of harm to yourself). Once you've been through the programme (or if you're finding that it isn't quite hitting the spot) ask if they have a therapist who has Long Term Health Conditions training and if you can be referred to them.

Often the NHS insists that patients have to have either online or group sessions first - so please do request (insist!) that you are 'stepped up' to one to one appropriate therapy.

Good luck.

[devonian186]

It is obvious from reading many of the posts here that anxiety plays a large part in many peoples lives, both before and after their treatment.

Indeed it seems likely that the condition makes the already concerned people worse. I don't think its helped by Dr google and the various recording devices that people seem to want to wear that pick up every blip in their bodies.

[Cairnview]

check out the Anxiety No More website, Ive suffered with Anxiety and panic attacks for 40 years this helped me understand anxiety a lot, have tried every other therapy going and nothing worked for me

[Tommy5150]

1234_6 has made some good suggestions of things you can do to o reduce anxiety. I have been dealing with anxiety for some time and recently it has been particularly bad. Awaiting CBT sessions to start. For it is about being more kind to myself and planning to spend time to relax and do things I enjoy and not just focus on work and study. Taking time out will mean I am in a better place physically and mentally to do the things I need to do. This is a new way of living for me and I am gradually making changes. I am under investigation for suspected angina. I am hoping that reducing anxiety will help with reducing my chest pains.

[JAVA12]

Hi there,

My other half has had a cardiac event so I am reading as much as I can to understand things and help him.

I suffered with panic attacks in my 20s and in the end faced them. I think what I found helpful was relaxation tapes. I listened to them every morning and evening for a few months and more or less knew them by heart (I can still remember the beginning of one of them now 30 odd years on).

I would say find something from all the suggestions from everyone that works for you and stick at it. Maybe keep a diary of how anxious you are at times giving a score out of ten. As time goes on, you will probably notice that the score goes down.

I used to get really anxious on the tube but now I find standing on a packed tube quite calming as the rocking motion relaxes me.

Good luck.

Jayne

[Hidden]

You are dead right. Anxiety is horrible. On top of what ever diagnosis you have it's horrible. I have tried some cbt but not to great depth. I am going to see if I can do more but I don't have much hope as there may be a long wait. Yes the cardiologist and their team do their job and either fix you or get you to a point where you are controlled. But mentally your mind is everywhere. Trouble is the anxiety aspect is not the cardiologist expertise. But I don't know where to turn myself. You have to find a new way of living and existing. I hear everything you have said and it is so frustrating

[Alison_L]

Hi Mishy. I'm afraid this is nothing new. My heart attack and resulting anxiety were 5 years ago, and I had to wait 2 or 3 months from CBT referral (by my Cardiac Rehab team) to first meeting. As a result my anxiety was through the roof when I started.

I hope you hear from them within a month xx

[Hidden]

Hello

I am so sorry you are suffering and the support is just not there

I know the feeling only to well which does not help you any but know this is how it is now as so many seem to be struggling

I have been on waiting lists 18 months or more then when I get to the top just 12 sessions which has helped but not enough but keep waiting as however many sessions you get might just be enough for you

You could also look on Google and put in

Self referral for Counselling some areas have that and you can refer yourself again you go on a waiting list but at least you are on it if there is anything else on offer to support you

Good Luck and let us know how you get on x

[Shopgal67]

hi I have awful health anxiety and found the silver cloud therapy through the NHS . I was allocated a supporter , it also took a month , I was in dire need so continued with the on line Therapy . I also purchased CBT for dummies from Amazon, it’s fantastic.

Daily meditation and breath work helps and I’ve also taught myself qigong which is so calming. There are also self hypnosis videos on YouTube especially targeted for health anxiety that you listen to before bed whilst you sleep . Hope this helps !