A typical GP appointment is around 10 minutes long, which many GPs and patients feel is not enough time to communicate everything they need. You can book a 'double appointment' if you feel you need more time to discuss what's bothering you. During your appointment it is important to be as open and honest with the GP as possible. They will ask you questions to gauge a full picture of your health, so be sure to share all the details about how you're feeling or how the symptoms are affecting you.
Use the notes you have prepared as a guide if it is helpful. Opening up about your feelings can be challenging, particularly to someone you don't know. However, GPs are trained to deal with sensitive issues in a professional and supportive way, so there is no need to be embarrassed. Everything you tell them is legally confidential, unless you are worried that you may be a danger to yourself or others.
During the conversation, do not be afraid to ask questions and refer to the notes that you have prepared beforehand. It is always worth asking why a certain treatment is being offered, whether there are other things that could help and what you think will help you.
The GP may make a diagnosis and can suggest some treatment options to help you, such as prescribing medication, making a referral to a talking therapy service, referring you to a specialist mental health team or providing advice on maintaining your overall wellbeing. If you are given any medication, your GP should tell you how it is expected to help and inform you about any side effects that may occur.
You may wish to ask the GP to repeat what they have told you, or for more information and support with how you are feeling or to write down anything you don't understand. If the GP solely suggests medication, feel free to ask what other treatment options might be available such as talking therapies, exercise or practising mindfulness. A note of what was discussed at the appointment will be made and recorded on your medical file.
This will be kept confidential, but you may also like to make a note of what was said after the appointment. You may know what next steps you'd like to take after discussing with your GP or you may need some time to think it over. You can let your GP know what you plan to do at a later date. Find a Physician Search Our Directory.
Schedule a Test. All rights reserved. Skip to Content Jefferson Health - Abington. View Additional Section Content. The most common forms include: Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent worry or fear.
Build a positive relationship with your doctor by finding a provider you trust and feel comfortable opening up with about your feeling of anxiety. Early detection and treatment are key to preventing severe symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you are concerned about your anxiety, reach out to your doctor for guidance. Find one near you. Book an appointment with Dr.
Barr today. Pingback: Photophobia: How to cope with light sensitivity Scrubbing In. Pingback: Try these foods to lower your stress level Scrubbing In. Pingback: How telehealth helped this Army veteran cope Scrubbing In. Pingback: Recognizing mental health problems in children and teens Scrubbing In. Pingback: How nature can improve your mental health Scrubbing In. Pingback: Is your heart racing from anxiety or an arrhythmia?
Scrubbing In. Skip to content. About the author. Fredricka Barr, MD. More articles. April 23, You may have GAD if: your worrying significantly affects your daily life, including your job and social life your worries are extremely stressful and upsetting you worry about all sorts of things and have a tendency to think the worst your worrying is uncontrollable you have felt worried nearly every day for at least 6 months Talking to your GP about anxiety Your GP may ask you questions about: any physical or psychological symptoms and how long you have had them for your worries, fears and emotions your personal life You may find it difficult to talk about your feelings, emotions and personal life.
You're most likely to be diagnosed with GAD if you have had symptoms for 6 months or more. To help with the diagnosis, your GP may carry out a physical examination or blood tests to rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms, such as: anaemia a deficiency in iron or vitamin B12 and folate an overactive thyroid gland hyperthyroidism.
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