your profile says you live in the UK. I live in New York State which is in the USA. what that boils down to is that your location probably does things a bit differently where symptoms and mental disorders are concerned. Here in the USA Americans have the freedom to bring up anything they want to with their treatment providers in any ways that they are comfortable doing..

I have been a part of the mental health system as a receiver of mental health services since I was a child, I grew up with the understanding that its best to talk about how Im feeling and what goes on with in me. As a result I am very open and honest with my treatment providers whether its face to face during sessions and during phone sessions.

my suggestion...you know yourself and your treatment providers and whats what with your mental health system where you are...so you are the only one that can say what is a good way for you to tell your treatment providers whats going on with in you.. Also what is acceptable here in the USA may not be acceptable where you are...

for example

I know someone who is in their late 20's and is able to talk about things only after they have had drank some alcoholic beverages like beer, wine, mixed drinks. That may not be acceptable where you are but here in the USA that is acceptable with some treatment providers here in the USA, as long as the person is over the age of 21.

I know a few people that use drugs (prescription and otherwise) to help relax their self/mellow out/ chill before they can talk with their treatment providers. and again some places and with some treatment providers. for example in the USA this is perfectly acceptable with the drug marijuana depending upon if that state has the medical marijuana program due to the client having anxiety, cancer or other mental and medical health issues that got them approved..

I know many who can discuss their problems/symptoms/thoughts to their treatment providers only when they are in the hospital mental health unit, where they can be assured that if they explode/let it out they are somewhere safe, where they cant harm their self or others..

I know someone that uses art as a form of communication with their treatment providers. In some locations and with some treatment providers this is not an accepted form of communication because it may involve very graphic/porn type drawings, sculptures, photos, videos, books, magazines,.....

I know many that use their journalistic talents of writing letters, essays, autobiographies, spoofs of what they need to communicate to their treatment providers.

I know many that use their acting talents like roll playing, to communicate with their treatment providers.

I know some that use sign language to communicate their thoughts and symptoms to their treatment providers.

I know some that use the therapeutic technique called play therapy and word association with thier treatment providers to communicate with their treatment providers...

my point is only you know what you can and cant do in order to get your thoughts/symptoms/problems communicated to your treatment providers..Just think about how you are most comfortable in doing so and then give it a try. it that way doesnt work then try another and another and keep trying until you are talking about what ever it is you need to discuss and work on with your treatment providers.

may I also caution anyone that is reading this post before you try any of the ways in this post you may want to consult your own treatment providers on whether some of these ways are legal or illegal in your own locations. what I posted in this post is acceptable for my own location and treatment providers here where I live and work. But may not be in your own locations.