How does anyone get the courage and confidence to seek help?

[spidersfrommars]

{Disclaimer} I've only posted on here two or three times, I'll try to keep it short and I'm sorry in advance if any of this comes across as triggering/insensitive, I'm just wondering if anyone can relate/help.

I was contemplating getting help from my doctors for sometime but never found the confidence to do so, until I realised that help isn't really something we actively seek - it's what we go to when there is quite literally no other plausible option. I made an appointment and cried to the nurse, and she said it sounded like GAD and referred me to a CBT external organisation.

I then spent weeks in a spiral of panic regarding the upcoming phone interview, where a request for a 1-1 appointment was made. It has been five months since then, and my name has been withdrawn from the waiting list because I was too anxious to open up to someone about my anxiety (I know - ironic right?), and therefore ignored the phone calls from them.

I'm moving away in September and will have to change doctors. I don't think I can go through all that again. Does anyone know any other ways to get good CBT that's not through a doctor's appointment?

Hope everyone is doing okay. Thank you

[Hidden]

Hello

You have to remember these people are there to help and whatever you have to say they have heard it all before and more

They are not there to judge you they are there to support you and that is why they do the job they do because they want to make a difference to people that are suffering

If it were me I would make another appointment and be honest with my Doctor what happened last time and ask if I could be referred again

There is nothing to fear than fear itself and that anxiety played you good and proper preventing you picking up the phone , don't let it win and stop you getting the support you sound you need

I in the end went for private Counselling as it was the only thing available to me , I tell her everything because I want the help she can give me and if I don't tell her then how can she help me ?

I have a long story and I have not shocked her yet and can see I won't no matter what , she has even said she never gives up on anyone and she gets as much from helping people as she hopes we get from her help so sometimes it can also be a two way thing

So that is the other option going private or you could ask Google about Counselling online as I know that is something people have also done and that way you possibly won't have to talk verbally

Good luck and I hope you will get the support you need it is worth that initial fear and once you have spoken a few times that fear will disappear

Take Care x

[AnxiousAria]

For me after feeling like I couldn’t live such a bad quality of life- I went to the doctor and spoke about serious options. As much as I love essential oils, I needed medication and CBT therapy. You should discuss your options. I spent 3 months not traveling after my worst anxiety in January and it paid off. Highly recommend you seek help. Talk to your friends or family that May help but you need the will to be like.. it’s OK. I need help and so do so many of us. Stay strong 💕

[Hidden]

Hi

I self referred for talking therapies with the NHS online.

There is a short form to complete..if you type in NHS talking therapies and your area the details should come up.

There will be a waiting list and how long that is depends on your area..initially my wait list in my area was around 8 weeks for an assessment, I have had CBT a couple of times now this way.

After your sessions finish you can self refer again after six months if required...

Take care x

[lowtech]

"any other ways to get good CBT that's not through a doctor's appointment? "

Assuming you have no health insurance or other scheme or cover for referrals...

Please go back direct to CBT referral / assessment if you still have a contact number - and bypass the GP at first attempt. The CBT appointments are separate from GPs and financed by your local health services commissioning group. The interview first help decides your need. The wait can be long but please persevere and do the wait. Be persistent and ask for expected date(s) to see a counsellor. They are specialists in counselling and you can work with them to decide what you need - CBT or not.

Often a series of chats can be so useful. They may give you a personal contact for future 'chats' or assessments if you feel the need for a return. What have you to lose? You pay for them anyway through taxes to help people with your questions - please don't be nervous. I did it and that's why I'm recommending you go back.

The assessment will very likely be at another GP practice where rooms are available and are within the service cover area of the counsellor - which may not necessarily be within your GP area (it works in strange ways with HS Commissioning).

Relax - they are good people choosing to help others. GPs are not the best advisers on non-physical problems. You have rights under NHS that GPs may not always be fully aware-of.

Hope this helps.