[anxteach]

I'm having major anxiety issues and panic attacks and have been home from work for the past 3 days and i'm looking for people to help me - a doctor, a psychiatrist, a therapist... and everyone is either booked out 2 weeks or more, or they can't help me because I'm not suicidal and I have insurance. It's crazy that I can't find someone to help me when I'm in the middle of a crisis. It's like I'm not crazy enough to warrant immediate attention if i'm not planning to kill myself or someone else. I feel frustrated and hopeless.

[Terabithia]

I wish I could say something to help. Keep posted and hugs.

[archipelago]

Sorry to hear this. I have suffered from lots of anxiety and had at one panic attack and it is a dreadful condition to be in. Sounds like you are really trying. Also sounds like you might benefit from some kind of anti-anxiety med pronto while waiting to be seen.

The only thing that comes to mind is maybe going to some sort of doctor who is available and who can at least prescribe a small amount of medication to help you manage temporarily. We have urgent care clinics where you can just walk in.

The only other idea is to make use of a crisis hotline. I used to work on one; the people are trained pretty well and are ready to listen. You can call a suicide hotline even if not suicidal. They also are trained to handle crisis calls and can be available as long as the line is free.

[HazelGirl]

Could you go to an ER?

[ThisWayOut]

I'm sorry you are struggling. Would the er or a walk-in clinic be an option? Another thought (though generally not the best way to do it) is to just show up at a community mh clinic and ask if anyone is available... though you may wind up in the er anyway that way, a supervisor might be able to see you in the moment and perhaps speed up the process of getting in to see someone.

[SnakeCharmer]

Anxteach ... I see you're from Oregon. I've had the misfortune of trying to get immediate help for someone in Oregon and it was one brick wall after another because many of the mental health services in Oregon have been defunded, but once we made the connection the care was superb.

As difficult as it is to wait, it's important that you make an appointment with a primary, pdoc or therapist. Even an urgent care clinic can make a referral to a therapist or pdoc for you. Unfortunately, much of Oregon is under-served by providers, but once you get established the care can be excellent.

If it becomes unbearable, the emergency room of most hospitals can help you and can give you a list of providers who are accepting patients.

I wish you the best and hope you can get the care you need soon.

[Abe Froman]

I know exactly what you mean, I'm having so much trouble finding the help I need too

[Lauliza]

If you go to an emergency room or urgent care clinic someone will be able to help you. I have panic disorder so I know how frightening and uncomfortable a panic attack is. The first time I had one I went to the ER and was given an anti anxiety med and a referral. With the med it might be easier to wait for a psychiatrist or therapist. I really hope you find the help you need.

[sailorboy]

Don't go to the ER. Go back to work tomorrow. I speak from experience. Staying home focusing on your problems will only make them worse.

Originally Posted by anxteach

I'm having major anxiety issues and panic attacks and have been home from work for the past 3 days and i'm looking for people to help me - a doctor, a psychiatrist, a therapist... and everyone is either booked out 2 weeks or more, or they can't help me because I'm not suicidal and I have insurance. It's crazy that I can't find someone to help me when I'm in the middle of a crisis. It's like I'm not crazy enough to warrant immediate attention if i'm not planning to kill myself or someone else. I feel frustrated and hopeless.

Call your family doctor and tell them what your feeling then you should get a call back from your doctor's office and they will give you a name of the therapist that they recommended .
I did that and I have to wait 3 weeks . So it dose take time .

[~Christina]

Have you tried benadryl ? It can sometimes take the edge off. Just a thought.

I hope you find some help

[Partless]

anxteach, I'm sorry to hear that. This post actually triggered me a bit. I've been in very similar situation. I almost wanted to lie to say I'm suicidal so somebody will see me. I was having dozens of panic attacks a day, I felt absolutely hopeless and helpless.

I don't know how your insurance works or what your financial situation is like. But my recommendation is:

See a medical doctor (your GP, go to a clinic, and if both fail, then go to ER...or if you are actually suicidal, then go to ER right away). Your GP may have connections and information on psychiatrists and therapists and even places that may see you for a reduced rate or whatever. Your GP can also check for medical conditions and other causes and in cases of more urgent care offer you some anxiety meds. A clinic can do similar things though a GP is preferred because they have your info on file. And of course hospital is the third choice.

If you are well financially, you can just go and see a therapist and pay them in cash. Maybe a couple of session just to get a diagnosis. It's your health, after all. If you pay in cash and not through insurance, it's likely you find a therapist quick. But I don't live in Oregon so can't be sure.

Please post back and let us know how you doing. Don't feel hopeless. All mental health issues have solutions that make them much more manageable. At one point I had 50-60 intense panic attacks a day and thought about ending it. I'm glad I didn't. So ask your doctors and in the meantime, do some behavioral stuff and relaxation to keep the anxiety low. Good luck.

[Petra5ed]

I was able to get Xanax from an urgent care clinic, just a small emergency supply. Emergency room will cost a lot, but urgent care visits can be 1-200$. Sorry you can't find someone yet, keep trying.

[anxteach]

Wow, so many wonderful responses! Thank you all for taking the time to comment and give advice and understanding. It can be so frustrating to be reaching out and not have anyone to hold on to. I'm happy I found this place, and that there are so many people willing to help.

The ER isn't really a viable option because unless you're having suicidal thoughts, they essentially give you a small dose of drugs to get you going and then send you off with a list of potential people. I did a ton of Googling, and I have a list of people. But when I call them, they're booked out for weeks or even months!

Partless - Thanks for sharing your experience. I did take your advice and call my GP (again) and he finally had one of his nurses call back to let me know that he was sending an Ativan prescription to my pharmacy, so hopefully that will tide me over until I can find someone to work with me long term.

[anxteach]

SnakeCharmer - that's interesting that you had that experience with finding providers in Oregon... I didn't realize it was really all that different state to state. But it definitely seems to be difficult to find someone here without waiting an eternity. I guess i'll just have to be a squeaky wheel until someone makes space for me. And until then, hopefully the Rx my GP gave me will help tide me over.