Doctors and counsellors

[aj]

Someone I know said that I should go and see my doctor, and possibly ask to be referred to a counsellor, to see what they might be able to do. She actually told me the truth, that I'm so uncomfortable that I make other people uncomfortable talking to me. So I've got myself booked in to see the doctor on the 27th. Our family doctor too, I haven't seen him for a long, long time. What a sad way to meet up again

Anyone who has done something like this before - what happened? What does a counsellor even do for you/make you do?

 

[Shift]

I haven't actually been to a doctor about SA, so I don't really know about that, but I am seeing a therapist.

Mostly we talk about about different things on my anxiety scale and try to get me to do some of those things as homework. Starting with things that cause me low anxiety and then later on to things that cause me slightly more anxiety and keep on just working up. We also talk about thoughts and then how to change my behaviors (but that's more for depression) into doing things the opposite of how I feel. Like if I want to stay in bed all day, then I'd go for a walk. Or if something specific happened that really upset me, we talk about that. And other stuff that I can't think of right now...

 

[Littlewilly]

Is the therapy working 4 u.

 

[FOR REAL]

seeing a counsellor in the uk, is pretty informal, most of the ones ive seen were very nice
its nothing to worry about. everything you say to a doctor or counsellor is confidential.

in my own experiences, meetings with counsellors is just like a chat

 

[aj]

If it's like having a friendly chat, that would be awesome. How much do they charge for it? Or do you even need to if your doctor refers you? Yes it's probably a silly question but I have never done anything like this at all!

 

[FOR REAL]

when you get referred by your doctor, there may be a bit of a waiting list, i think i had to wait 3 or 4 weeks. if you feel its urgent though, you can say that to your doctor. a lot of people cancel their appointments, so if your available at short notice, you can then get offered one of them.
it doesnt cost anything at all in the uk cause its done through the NHS.

(vote labour)

counsellors are there to help you, they dont put any kind of pressure on you.
im not 100% sure on this but i think each appointment lasts around an hour.

ps, i copied and pasted "counsellors" from your post, i hope youve spelled it correctly cause i dont want you to have to see a politician instead

 

[aj]

So I went to see the doctor today. No appointment with a counsellor, he said that they're more for if you have a specific problem which is just what I don't have, ie. I don't really know what's wrong.

Maybe I should have pushed it more but in the end he just advised me to get away from home a bit more, drive off and camp in the car for a few days, etc. Frankly I don't have the energy or drive to do it, I will still know that nobody in the world gives a crap and it will still be no easier to make friends even if I go half way around the world. It's a huuuuuge thing to do if you haven't done the simplest things like go and see a movie in the town you live in. If I had somebody my age to go with me as well as point me in some kind of direction it would immediately become a hell of a lot easier and possibly even fun. But of course there is nobody and it's a vicious circle.

It feels like I'm so close to being happier, I only wanted to be invited to do something outside of work. As I said to him, I don't feel ill or depressed or anything, other than what comes directly from knowing you have no friends, but it's like some weird thing hanging over me which stops things from ever changing.

 

[FOR REAL]

ive seen a few comments on here about people getting refused to see specialists in the uk. i dont 'ask' to see someone, i TELL them!
if you still feel you need to see a counseller, go back and TELL him or her, and if for some strange reason you still get refused, then make an appointment with another GP in the same practice (which you are perfectly entitled to do)
some gp,s can be right swines sometimes. for example they may of had a fall out with their wife in the morning and then take it out on you. dont let them push you around, they work for us.

 

[aj]

Yeah I don't help myself because when I talk to someone about it (especially and the sun is shining and the weather's nice!) I put on a front of happy happy happy and in the end make myself think that it's not so bad, then I get to this sort of time sat in my bedroom at home and I feel like absolute ****e.

Thing is I don't know if there IS a specific problem other than "no matter how much I try I can't seem to turn acquaintances into friendships or anything else"... is that enough? He did say to go back and see him but I don't want to start messing everyone around I did mention that I feel like there's something in my head that is stopping me no matter what I do but he didn't say anything about it.

 

[FOR REAL]

just my opinion but if you dont know what the specific problem is and the doctor doesnt either, then thats why you should be entitled to see a counsellor.

 

[aj]

Well when you look at it that way, it does make more sense. I did feel like I should have walked out of the surgery with something, like a pill or an appointment.

 

[aj]

...or was he right, would driving off by myself and staying somewhere for a few days give me a heap of confidence, solve my problems and teach me how to make friends?