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[Puffin Mama]

Hello all
Not really sure what to do about this so wanted to get some advice/opinions......I have been on Sertraline for anxiety since December and while it has taken the worst edge off the emotional symptoms,  I still get quite a lot of 'breakthrough' days when I feel very shaky and feel like I am struggling.  The physical symptoms come and go as well and I'm sure that some of them are linked to anxiety.  My very supportive GP thought I would benefit from a course of CBT and referred me back in February. Having sat on the waiting list for this long,  I had my first appointment last week and am keen to continue as I think it will help to manage the awful anxiety I am getting at times.  Last week's appointment was mid-afternoon but this was no problem as it was half-term and I could leave work early (I work in a school on the admin side - don't get school hols off sadly!).  The therapist can only offer ongoing appointments at earliest 9.30am and latest 4 pm and I would need to go weekly for 6-8 weeks at least.   It will take me about 30 mins to get there from work or come into work from there. 

Have any of you had this issue and what did you do, if you don't mind sharing?  I do have at least one medical appt every month as I have ongoing treatment for a bladder condition and my work are fine with that.  Obviously I make up the time I have missed but I am reluctant to have to explain that these are counselling appts.  I am concerned that my work will think that they are too frequent and that I will be missing too much time - if I took an apt at 4pm every week, I would leave work at 3.30pm.   If I didn't take a lunchbreak,  I would owe my office 45 mins per week.  Written down, that doesn't look bad but I think I am worried about being judged because of the nature of the appts.   My line manager is very understanding generally and had her own issues with menopause but anxiety wasn't one of them and she is very much a 'just get on with it' type of person, plus the head of the school has to approve all requests for time out of the working day.

I don't want to give the impression that I am not coping - my work is always up to date and I have quite a responsible role.  What would you do?  - I really do want to take these appointments as I am determined to do everything possible to feel better and I asked about evening appts but that would mean going back onto the waiting list for another two months!

Thanks for wading through this!
Puffin Mama

[CLKD]

It's a difficult one this.  These issues are hand in hand at menopause so I think being honest if your line manager is already on board with your proelbmes?  "I've appts for counselling in order to deal with panic attacks and these will take place at >time> for <>weeks>" should be enpought.

Let us know how you get on !

[rebelyell]

I think you should ask for time off as you are seeing a specialist about meno related issues.  It is your business exactly what the appointment is, and after all, it is a specialist and you were referred there just as you would be to a surgeon or other 'physical' consultant.

Good luck.

[honeybun]

I really wouldn't be too specific. I would go with what rebelyell suggested and I certainly wouldn't mention panic attacks unless you have told your line manager before.

It's very wrong but people are judgemental when it comes to mental health issues. I had CBT but as I'm not in work it was not an issue but I didn't tell anyone except hubby and daughter.

I'm sure if you make up the time your work would be fine with it.

I really hope it helps you, I had a man councillor who looked old enough to be my son and I did not like it at all. I'm considering asking to go back and asking for a woman this time.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.


Honeybun
X

[Puffin Mama]

Thanks so much, CLKD, rebelyell and honeybun
I haven't mentioned panic attacks to anyone at work so certainly don't want to mention them now!   I did tell my line manager that my GP had put me on ADs but stressed that this was for hormonally-generated anxiety and that I was also being referred to the meno clinic.    I suspect she might have had a word with the head in her regular meetings, as earlier in the year I had the head asking me to make an appt with her to discuss my frequent medical appts (this was at a time when I was at the GP every week as I felt so unwell and to be fair, I think the head was concerned rather than anything else - she had a lot of time off with ill health a couple of years ago so is fairly sympathetic) but then I heard nothing further.

I used to work for years in a semi-therapeutic setting, where no-one would have batted an eyelid if you had said you were having some counselling. Will have a think and try to decide what to do but I think the idea of saying 'expert appts' is a good one and it's not as if I'm disappearing for an entire morning or afternoon

[lancashirelass]

Anxiety is.classed as a disability you must speak to your hr they have to make reasonable adjustments for you.  Good luck

[Mrs January]

Hi there

I started on AD's two years ago and thank goodness that I did. I am so much better for them too. I also take Propananol tis used for my hand tremor but can be used for anxiety too so may help you.

Just say to work you have follow up appointments to keep and leave it at that. I am a community nurse with safeguarding and it is hard for the managers to understand what we need and have to manage

Hugs Mrs January xx

[CLKD]

See what is says in your Contract about time off for medical reasons.  It is allowed to have time off and not be expected to make up time!