i have been referred by my doctor to see a psychiatrist at my local psychiatric unit?

Question

i suffer with health anixety(i have done for three years),basically i have had something in my mouth for a month now, which my mind thinks is mouth cancer i cant stop looking at it or touching it.i cannot focus on anything apart from this,im really finding it hard to cope with things,everything is a struggle.i am on medication for anxiety but it doesnt seem to work,im really worried what the psychiatrists will say & what they will do, im not thinking of harming myself im just struggleing with it,as was my girlfriend thats why weve split up,many info would be helpful please thanks for your time,very worried.

Answer 1

Your psychological anxiety or depression is different and your feeling that you have something in your mouth related to cancer. For your anxiety disorders no doubt you can see the doctor at Psychiatric unit, but you need to consult an Oncologist for the mouth, immediately. Because physiological matter is not that much dangerous where as cancer is to be attended immediately. You can tell the Oncologist about your other problems and let him evaluate the position and treat you. Please do not neglect. Psychiatrist would not be able to treat for your mouth problem. When once the Oncologist clear you from your mouth problem your anxiety also will come down and you can have the consultation later for that. -

Answer 2

Dont worry. All they will do is help you work out why your anxious and talk about it. It sounds similar to an OCD which i have and i see someone too. It is quite pleasant and it can actually be nice to tell someone how you feel for a solid hour focused on you! They wont say anything bad they will just ask you about it and try and find a way to help you stop worrying. Best to be totally honest with them as they are only there to help you. It is perhaps an acute case of hypocondria and it is fixable. You wont feel like this forever because you're getting the help in time. You need to try some deep relaxation techniques as well so that your brain gets some time to switch off and relax. Buy a guided relaxation cd and just spend half an hour a day deep breathing.
After you and the psychiatrist have talked you will probably work out a better medication for you, or you might eventually not need medication if you find the root of the problem.
Good luck

Answer 3

Psychiatrists are not there to throw you into hospital. Think of your mental life like a rock-climbing exersize. There are easy parts, there are hard parts.

Psychiatrists can be viewed as expert Sherpas along the way, who help you get over the rough spots and let you continue on your way.

As far as health anxiety, Do yourself a favor, if you have something in your mouth, have you consulted a dentist, if you do and they say it's a Canker sore and not cancer, don't sweat it, if they honestly don't know what it is, then you get to see another doctor who will tell you what it might be.

OTHERWISE, don't guess, and don't get all bunged up until you have something to get bunged about.

Cancer is very unlikely in your mouth or other areas around there, unless you smoke cigars 3 or 4 times a day or chew tobacco (as both can cause cancer of the soft-pallette) non-smoking related mouth cancer is incredibly rare.

Canker sores and small sub-dermal infections, are MUCH more common, but also tend to go away with little to no treatment, you're body is an expert at fighting these little insults to your person. Help your body by eating right and not stressing.

Stress causes all sorts of issues and is FAR more likely to cause problems. Do yourself a favor, spend a day at the park. find a nice park or a museum , pack a lunch and find some piece of artwork or some patch of real-estate to stare at for a while.

If you want to even do better, Invite your ex-along, treat her to lunch and whatever you do , don't talk about your canker sore. Talk about the artwork, the grounds, the annoying person at her office. Talk about the weather, ask if she went shopping, talk about your pets , whatever, just don't bring up your meds, or your appointment with your shrink.

Answer 4

i feel for you sweetheart, i really do i have what is termed as mental health issues as well, different to yours, i realise that i cannot allay your fears, about having mouth cancer, but your psychiatrist is'nt going to have you commited or anything if anything they will probably, contact a collegue & ask them to take a look in your mouth, in order to try to reassure you, they will take you back to when all this began, & help you figure out why you have this problem good luck x

Answer 5

One of the main symptoms of depression can be an obsession with having serious illness, like cancer, when you dont actually have it but your brain signals are focusing on this issue. You have been referred for psychiatric treatment so that you can learn to block these intense feelings of illness/death. Your gp may have referred you for cognitive behaviour therapy to enable you to deal with these aspects of depression/anxiety. Its not bad, i found that CBT really helped me with my issues. I still have clinical severe depression but am using the CBT to get me through each day. I wouldnt worry too much about why you have been referred, its obviously to help you sort out and deal with your particular problems. Over-worrying is another symptom of anxiety/depression, so you must try to learn relaxation techniques to help you get through until your treatment starts. Good luck, it will get sorted and you will start to feel more in control of your thoughts and emotions.

Answer 6

It sounds like a good idea- they can help you find the right meds to alleviate your anxiety. As for your mouth, why not see your regular Doctor for some tests. Good luck~

Answer 7

This is the cancer section

Answer 8

it is for your own good. just go, and you will get out in no time.

Answer 9

This should be in "Mental Health" and not "Cancer".