How do I get help from a specialist?

[loreen]

I have anxiety, which over the years has been treated by every SSSR.
I am extremely sensitive to meds and have not had much luck in finding something which reduces my anxiety without giving me depression.

Pregabalin usually works,but I am going through a bad patch,and feel I need extra help. I have tried every GP at my practice,but none of them seem to have special knowledge on hard to treat anxiety, or mental health problems. I just seem to get a merry go round of med changes.

How do I get to speak to a specialist,and is it available on the NHS?Also,what is the name of a specialist who specialises in anxiety?

Sorry for all the questions, but I am feeling like I have no one who understands who I can turn to.

Loreen x

[MrAndy]

Hi Loreen
I am not a doctor and can only tell you what worked for me after trying lots of ssris etc.My doctor put me on a low dose of olanzapine it helps me sleep and kicks anxietys arse :)
Read more about it here http://www.crazymeds.us/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Meds/Zyprexa I can describe it a bit like an broad spectrum antibiotic as it helps in all areas with hardly any side effects

[nomorepanic]

Ask for a referral for CBT

[loreen]

I've done CBT and talking therapies.

They make great sense and have helped in the past.

However, I have some serious family problems going on, and I feel I need extra help to cope with the stress.

Loreen x

[Edie]

Hi Loreen,

There aren't specialists in anxiety as such, but psychiatrists are mental health specialists and should know a lot about the different medications, what symptoms they are good for, and how best to prevent side effects. It's still a bit of a guessing game, but a bit more of an educated guess anyway.

Some GPs are great with this stuff, and others just don't have the expertise.

[harasgenster]

Hi, psychiatrists, as far as I know, aren't usually used in the case of anxiety, unless there are extenuating circumstances (co-morbidity, a large number of medications being used, a crisis, etc)

The 'specialist' in this case is a psychologist (although this is med-free therapy).

If you're still feeling that you need extra help because you can't cope, this is probably because you're still generally anxious - you believe that you can't cope in difficult circumstances. Rather than make yourself feel more comfortable by seeking medicinal help to 'get you through', is it worth considering why you think you can't cope? What do you think is going to happen? What is the worst thing about your current situation? (I.e., what is pushing you to look for a specialist?)

I'd personally suggest more therapy to help you get to a point where you believe you can cope with hardship without 'losing it'. It's quite common with anxiety to believe that you can't cope with stress, or that something bad will happen if you feel ill. In fact, the anxiety is harmless and will not cause bad things to happen (in my case I wasn't worried about my physical health, I just thought that being ill would ruin my life). The biggest lesson I've learned is not to worry about being/getting anxious.

As for medication, you're probably better off sticking with your GP. If you have found a particular drug class that works for you, you can try others in that drug class.

[Emphyrio]

Have you considered natural remedies? Inositol seems to be very effective for treating depression. They used high doses in the trials but people seem to find that a couple of grams can make a difference to their mood/anxiety levels.

[loreen]

Hello

I have been looking into natural remedies. Don't know a lot about them,but feel like it is worth a try.

As well as anxiety and panic attacks, I have started to have real problems with sleep. I have looked at Quiet Life tablets,which seem to get good reviews.

Do you have a recommendation which is good for panic/anxiety and lack of sleep
?
Thank you :)

Loreen x