Initially seeking help

elizabeth86

elizabeth86

Member
Hi all,
I'm brand new to this forum.
Anyway, I'm wondering how you all went about initially seeking help for your social anxiety?
It's only been within the last month or two that I've found out this disorder exists, and the more I read about it, the more I can relate and recognise my symptoms.
I've been putting off phoning the doctor for around 3-4 weeks. I literally don't know what to say to them when I meet with them. I'm so worried they'll think I'm overreacting or I won't be able to express my symptoms properly (which in fact, would actually be due to the disorder in the first place).
I really want to start the therapy sessions I've read about, but I also really want to try medication. I start uni in 2 weeks and I worry every day about how bad it's going to be. Will doctors prescribe medication generally? I'm scared I'll have to 'prove' myself.
thanks in advance guys!
 
elizabeth86

elizabeth86

Member
Thanks for your reply!
I've googled local groups, but the only one I could find is one that is charging close to $1000. Suffice to say that's beyond my budget.

In regards to uni, I absolutely know there are people worse off. I'm definately not pitying myself or thinking my life is so bad. I am realistic about the problem. When I speak to people, my voice will break and then the embarrassment kicks in and then my voice breaks more and I am fully aware of how unconfident I sound. This whole situation is why I dropped out of uni 3 or 4 times in the past. My main hope with the medication is that I can pull through the first few weeks/months of uni based on meds, while starting a therapy program which will hopefully fix this up for me. But my concern right now is that I start uni in 2 weeks. It's a serious consideration that I may not be able to handle it and I'll just drop out again.

How do I make that initial phone call? I'm so nervous about it! And I've read so many stories of doctors not understanding at all or being remotely aware of the condition. And I KNOW that when I'm forced to specifically speak about the condition, my voice and speech will be so bad that I won't even be able to talk. Ahh it's such a vicious cycle.

I really appreciate your response, and I really hope I can stick to uni this time.
 
AngelsTears85

AngelsTears85

Well-known member
Hey elizabeth86

I'm not sure how old you are or what your situation is...but it was my mum who made me go see a doctor she made the appointment and came with me and did most of the talking I think I was about 19 at the time…If you don't have someone that can go with you to help explain maybe write a list of things you want to say or just hand over the piece of paper for them to read...
 
kernal

kernal

Member
Hey, I'm in the same situation - want help but can't figure out how to get started. I'm just trying to find a psychologist/therapist who has experience with this kind of thing, then you don't have to worry about explaining or proving yourself to someone who is going to doubt you or doesn't really know how to handle it. They've seen this before, they know what it looks like, and they know how to help you. If your voice and speech get so you can't talk about it, they'll recognize what it means instead of thinking you're crazy and overreacting. That's my hope at least. Good luck!
 
SilentType

SilentType

Banned
If it would make you guys feel better you can go to a clinic that specializes in anxiety disorders, just so you know they'll have the best care available to you. I know it's hahrd visiting the doc at first because you feel like nobody understands what you're going through. They are trained to treat people like us, and they'll accommodate whatever needs you have.

Peace
 
Johno

Johno

Well-known member
Good luck. I wish you all the best. It's not easy accepting the fact that you may be suffering from a recognized medical condition. Congratulations for accepting it so well.
I wasn't so pleased to hear my truth. Denied it for several months. Well that was me. Back to you.
Well I would say this. Be confident about what you feel and suffer from. Let him or her know how you feel. Some doctors will dismiss it. Go there with written evidence about the condition. Show him. If he still ignores it. Demand to see a psychiatrist. The Doc may be unaware of the condition. It does happen. You should still persist. Demand to see a psychiatrist. It's a fucken recognized medical condition for crying out loud. Ok that’s all for now. Good luck.
They better help you.
Just keep pushing it.
Cheers

lolll
 
elizabeth86

elizabeth86

Member
Well, I saw the doctor 2 weeks ago. I had to kinda beg for some medication, so he prescribed me 50mg/day of zoloft, and referred me onto a psychologist who I saw 5 days ago.

She was very nice.. she taught me a breathing exercise (which I've practiced since and it doesn't really help). She also lent me a hypnotherapy cd.. 20mins and it's supposed to relax you. I listened once and it was relaxing.. however she then made our next appointment for 3 weeks later. I was pretty annoyed.. I even said I thought they should be weekly. She also said she will try hypnotherapy on me and if I believe it will work, then it will. I'm very hopeful about this...

HOWEVER, I saw another doctor yesterday as my anxiety is REALLY FREAKING BAD to the point where I can't really hold down a conversation without my voice shaking, so he's prescribed me valium (I had to really bed again). Which I've tried and I don't know, I don't think it's calming me. I can't help all my negative thoughts.. I think I had my first panic attack yesterday after coming home from uni, so my boyfriend made the doc's appointment.

I hear the zoloft should kick in at around week 6...?
 
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