twister
03-12-03, 13:29
I just wanted to let you know how I got on with my psychiatrists visit. Well it was at the Priory, which was very posh but also had some very mentally disturbed people there which was a bit intimidating at first.
Anyway, the psychiatrist was really helpful (if a bit odd!)and has reffered me for CBT with one of the leading therapists in the country (he has a CBE!)
He diagnosed me as having GAD, with panic disorder and mild agrophobia.
He basically put my anxiety and panic down to my fear of losing control which makes a lot of sense to me. He says that is why I am afraid of enclosed spaces like tubes because I fear that I will lose control and scream and everyone will be looking at me.
A while ago I wrote on here that I had started hiding knives and scissors in case I hurt myself in the night and he said this is a common OCD sypmtom and is another way of fearing the loss of control.
He said I have to stop fearing and worrying about 'thoughts' and only worry about real things - lol
He also said I'd have to lose my crutches and eventually be able to get on a tube with no water, no valium, no anything[:0][:0] and be happy to sit in a tunnel....
Also he recommended two books which I bought and look very good. They are CBT self help books and might be good for people to do whilst they wait to be referred to a counsellor. They are 'Overcoming Anxiety' by Helen Kennedy, and 'Overcoming Panic' by Derrick Silove.
He also said to me that if I worked at it I could be completely cured of panic but would probably never be completely free of anxiety as that seems to be in my personality.
Overall though it was encouraging and I'd recommend people to be reffered to a psychiatrist/ counsellor if they can, although I know the waiting lists are long in some areas.....
I'd also like to thank everyone on this site for being so helpful, you have been such a support to me:D:D
Emily
Anyway, the psychiatrist was really helpful (if a bit odd!)and has reffered me for CBT with one of the leading therapists in the country (he has a CBE!)
He diagnosed me as having GAD, with panic disorder and mild agrophobia.
He basically put my anxiety and panic down to my fear of losing control which makes a lot of sense to me. He says that is why I am afraid of enclosed spaces like tubes because I fear that I will lose control and scream and everyone will be looking at me.
A while ago I wrote on here that I had started hiding knives and scissors in case I hurt myself in the night and he said this is a common OCD sypmtom and is another way of fearing the loss of control.
He said I have to stop fearing and worrying about 'thoughts' and only worry about real things - lol
He also said I'd have to lose my crutches and eventually be able to get on a tube with no water, no valium, no anything[:0][:0] and be happy to sit in a tunnel....
Also he recommended two books which I bought and look very good. They are CBT self help books and might be good for people to do whilst they wait to be referred to a counsellor. They are 'Overcoming Anxiety' by Helen Kennedy, and 'Overcoming Panic' by Derrick Silove.
He also said to me that if I worked at it I could be completely cured of panic but would probably never be completely free of anxiety as that seems to be in my personality.
Overall though it was encouraging and I'd recommend people to be reffered to a psychiatrist/ counsellor if they can, although I know the waiting lists are long in some areas.....
I'd also like to thank everyone on this site for being so helpful, you have been such a support to me:D:D
Emily