Battle of the Brain Weasels

[netgirl_y2k]

So my new new year's resolution to finally see a doctor about this anxiety thing has been completed. It was... there's nothing like hearing the thing that's consumed your entire life being referred to as "a behavioural issue" to make you feel like someone's ill-behaved labradoodle, is there?

Net result -- some links to perform your own cognitive behavioural therapy websites, and a grudging referral to psychologist with the very strong subtext that I shouldn't expect to be seen any time before the cylon uprising, if at all.

It's probably partly my fault -- I don't think I explained myself very well. I made it sound like the panic attacks were the problem, and not a symptom of the problem, so I at least got more beta-blockers to stop the heart-palpitations. Which are, admittedly, the worst part of the panic-attacks. Usually the part that has me going: Abort! Abort! This is not a drill, you are, in fact, dying! So.

And on that cheery note, I fully intent to spend the rest of the day watching the first series of The Bletchley Circle, because I caught the first episode of the second series the other night and thought that it was wonderful despite not knowing what's going on or who anybody is.

Comments

[lilacsigil]

Well, that sounds...super helpful! I hope that the End Times psychologist appointment is more useful.

I really enjoyed Bletchley Circle and apparently there's going to be another season, yay!

[havocthecat]

Oh, no. I'm sorry it didn't go quite helpfully, and I do hope that the psych appointment goes better than the doctor's appointment did!

[blueswan]

But you got a referral at least. \o/

I have seen good things posted about The Bletchley Circle. I'd like to know more about it myself. I'm making a note to check it out.

[umadoshi]

Ugh, how frustrating. I hope the referral comes through in a reasonable time frame. :/

[kmo]

that really sucks that your doctor was so unhelpful. for all the problems with medical care in the states, it's usually pretty easy to see a therapist (if you have insurance). i hope the referral comes through soon. in the meantime, i'll just say that i was really skeptical of cognitive behavioral techniques myself, because as you say, the idea of retraining my behavior makes me feel like a misbehaving puppy instead of a complex human being. but i think they can be effective in helping you recognize and manage the thought patterns that cause the attacks.

yay Bletchley Circle! it's an awesome show. though i kind wished they had focused more on the women's codebreaking work during the war (again, where is my Code Name Verity miniseries?) and less about the postwar period...but i think the show does a great job of showing how difficult it must have been for some of these women to try to return to hearth and home after the war.

[adafrog]

Sorry it was so difficult. And it may not have even been you not explaining yourself. Some doctors are just not as open to mental health issues.
CBT can help some, but medicines can be important, too, to help mediate the symptoms. But a do-it-yourself website?
I hope you can get to the psychologist soon.

[st_aurafina]

Ugh, I hate it when medical people are rubbish. Because that's rubbish. FFS. (Mine, after hearing I was still in therapy, said "Are you still doing that? Really?" Not very reassuring.)

Therapy has helped me a lot - I might still be seeking medication as an option, but therapy has reduced my day-to-day suffering with anxiety so much. I hope you get to see someone soon.

BLETCHLEY CIRCLE IS SO GOOD! Watch it! Then go read some awesome fic for Yuletide!