Saw A Doctor Today

[Guest def]

Hi, so I've had what are classed as intrusive thoughts for the past 6-8 years, they've been at the very least an annoyance, to at their worst had me contemplating suicide.

I visited my GP today, I had no idea what I was going to say as I've never spoken to anyone about it. Anyway, I told him I get stressed and anxious a lot, and then told him about my thoughts and how I'm just struggling to live with them. He said that he doesn't think it's a mental health issue and instead referred me to a charity for counselling...I'm currently going through a non-related medical issue, which I imagine he thinks is causing this, but I told him it outdates the issue and if anything the issue has just brought me closer to the end of my tether.

Is there anything I can do to get professional medical help that doesn't involve going through my GP? Would it be worth going to the "counselling"? It's not just the thoughts, anxiety absolutely drains me at times, to the point I just want to drop to my knees and get swallowed up by the ground. I get ridiculously irritable over absolutely nothing, I don't feel like I've been taken seriously, I'm in a constant fight with myself all day everyday, the last thing I need is to fight to prove this isn't just something that'll blow over once the medical issue does.... My understanding was that a GP is meant to refer you to a specialist, not a charity?

[PolarBear]

Can you describe your thoughts a bit and tell me what you do after the thoughts show up?

[legalseagull]

Yes you can self refer to mental health services in most (all?) areas of Britain. You should be able to do it on line. Or you could go to your doctor's surgery or a drop in centre and ask the receptionist for a referral pack.

You could try the counselling but as you probably know, you need CBT for OCD to really tackle the issue.

[Guest clojo]

Hi there

You can also self refer in the uk with the IAPT service which doesn't involve your gp at all (unless you want them to) just google IAPT and find an organisation that delivers in your area.its free too

Good luck

[Guest def]

Hi there

You can also self refer in the uk with the IAPT service which doesn't involve your gp at all (unless you want them to) just google IAPT and find an organisation that delivers in your area.its free too

Good luck

Thank you, I'll look into that.