Panic - what now?

[iwbus]

I have had problems with panic/anxiety etc over the past year but have recently decided to do something about it. I phoned the local Primary Care Mental Health Team who sent me for a 1-to-1 waffle with a chap at our local GP surgery to assess my problems and the best way forward. His recommendation was to attend an anxiety workshop and gave me a leaflet about it but it's a group session and I'm getting anixous about being around other people and I haven't even booked it yet. I've phoned to trust today to see if there is any other, maybe individual, sessions available and they say that I could have another individual session with the chap at the GP (what's the point?) or go on this workshop with umpteen other people. What's a guy to do? No wonder my area has such a high suicide rate. As "90's chart idiots" Arrested Development once sang "I never at once felt so alone".

[kazza12345]

its hard for me to understand where you are coming from. If you feel so alone, what is the problem with meeting up with other people. From the sound of it you couldn't feel much worse, so why not take a shot at feeling better?

[mccfluff]

could you get a friend or family member to come with you, not into the workshop itself but just to to give some support and wait for you afterwards?

[JustSia]

You know yourself best. If you can't handle the group sessions just yet, don't force yourself. Although I believe they would be of great benefit to you as you would see you are not alone at feeling the way you do, I also understand that you might not be ready for this step.

Go back to your GP and insist on seeing a counsellor. Not just a suit asking you to fill in questionnaires but a proper therapist. Even if it's just for one session to put you on a right track and maybe openning the idea of group therapy to you. This is where you have to be really strong and stand your ground. No one knows you better than you do so make it clear that you need that session.

[JustSia]

GPs often make a mistake in thinking that if you are aware of your problem you can deal with it. Unless you have a proper melt down they often underestimate the extent of your unhappiness especially if you appear very much together when you see them.

Stand you ground. And hey, just by doing that it might give you that little bit of confidence to face other people.

All the best. And if you just fancy getting stuff of your chest and having a chat let me know and I'll give you my e-mail.

S.

[noxlumos]

Hi Iwbus, first well done for taking the first steps. Is it possible for you to contact the peson who will be running the sessions themselves so that you can run through what you are feeling and so that he/she can maybe work with you to try to make this thing possible for you? I'm certain given the nature of the type of sessions you can't possibly be the first person there to have felt this way. Maybe you could meet one of the other established members first on maybe your home territory so that you have an easier way into it. Don't give up and try to stay calm. You are in control of this and you've made the first steps towards getting where you need to be, just try to stick with your plans and take it easy.

[WendyS]

Please don't be put off or too worried about attending one of these group sessions. Everybody there will be in exactly the same boat - that's why they're booked on it. If you can just pluck up your courage to get there, you'll find everybody very sympathetic and willing to share their own experiences. I'm sure this will help you feel that you are not alone in your anxieties.

[fee-is-me]

Pay for a therapist.... ?

One-on-one sessions.

No poxy waiting lists.

One of the best (and life changing) things i ever did.

[iwbus]

@ kazza - meeting people isn't the problem it's what they might come out with that scares me. Fear of the unknown (and fear of people talking about squeamish stuff)

@ mccfluff - good idea, hadn't thought of that

@JustSia - good plan

@fee-is-me - any idea on cost?

@everyone else - thank you for your responses, a light dusting of stars for all

[fee-is-me]

Yes, it CAN be expensive, i'm afraid.

I paid �40 per 50 minute session about 2 years ago, but this varied widely between therapists. I had about 10 sessions.

I looked on the internet to see who was in my area and, feeling nervous, only checked out the ones with websites that i could have a good nosey at!

I found a therapist who dealt with my issue and rang her to chat and find out a few things and then booked my first session.

Let's say i had some serious 'issues'...! Well, i am now no longer feeling the way i did AT ALL.

To me, that money was very well spent, indeed.

I have a friend who has panic issues and she decided not to pay for sessions but opted for 6 free group sessions.

She still has her panic issues.

I'm not saying that me paying for my treatment was the key factor in me getting over my 'problem', but 1-to-1 help and no waiting list was certainly beneficial to me.

Good luck whatever you choose to do :0)