(1/2Tag- Em9898) I have an appointment with my GP About my anxiety. I got a referral from my school councillor to see a social worker, who referred me to go see my doctor, so he can possibly give me a diagnosis. I have no clue what I'm supposed to do. I don't really want to talk a whole lot. Should I make a list of my fears, thought, anxieties, and things that trigger me? What questions will he probably ask?
(Em9898 2/2) What should I do prior to the appointment, how can I calm my nerves before and during the session, what should I expect him to do, what usually happens, how long does a diagnosis take, (how many sessions), what happens if I get a diagnosis? I'm 13, how much will he tell my mom, I mean i expect that if I'm prescribed medication he will have to tell her because she's got the money and insurance? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just scared.
Don't apologise lovely, I don't mind all the questions honestly. It is totally normal to be nervous and scared, you are young, you have never been before and it's all new to you so being nervous and scared is okay. I am just glad that you are taking the appropriate steps to getting help and getting some answers as to what is going on. What I would do is make a list of all the symptoms you have of anxiety, a list of your triggers, fears and whatever else you think would be useful for your doctor. Things like life situations going on that may affect how you are feeling, any family history that sort of thing. Your doctor will just ask you general questions usually such as how long you have been feeling this way, how bad is it on a scale of one-ten. Then maybe some questions on what your symptoms say such as do you experience attacks often, just things to help him better judge whether you have anxiety or not. To calm your nerves before the session I would try and be prepared mentally, so just have some kind of mantra something like ''I can do this everything will be okay'' and then do something to distract you whilst you are waiting maybe playing a game on your phone or something. During the session I would just take your time as much as possible in order to compose yourself, you doctor will understand. Then just take a few deep breathes until you feel up to continuing. Sometimes your doctor can diagnose you in one session, sometimes they will send you away and monitor you (ask you to maybe make a diary of when and why the symptoms occur and then make a follow up appointment to diagnose you or they will refer you to a mental health specialist who can diagnosis as they know exactly what they are looking for. It all depends on how knowledgeable your doctor is on anxiety and whether you display enough common symptoms for him to 100% know is anxiety. If you get a diagnosis of anxiety your doctor or the mental health specialist will sit down and talk with you and come up with a plan to help you. They will probably suggest things like therapy and I know you don't feel comfortable with talking so that could be hard but they understand that and will help you as best as they can, then there is also things like medication and various other steps to help with your diagnosis. Your mother will probably have to know everything that is going on because your a minor. They will keep her in the loop about everything, including being referred to anyone, if you have a diagnosis she will always know, if you have medication etc. My mother had to be told that I was diagnosed with depression and when I was being referred to a counsellor. It is perfectly okay if you don't want to talk much during your session, just inform your doctor of that. Maybe take something like a paper and pen so you can write down what they are asking if you don't feel comfortable talking. Or you can talk to your mother and bring her. Maybe having some support and her knowing what is going on may make it easier. Plus she can answer questions from your doctor too if you don't feel up too it.
