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Dental Anxiety

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  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 10,938 Scope online community team
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    Hi @OverlyAnxious. That's a really interesting point about agoraphobia. I've never been convinced it's entirely down to not being able to leave the house, but rather the thought of being trapped in a situation that you can't get out of. The woman I cared for hated having people in her home as it removed the possibility of there being any safety net. If she needed to run away, she couldn't. She often described it as her 'safe zone'. 

    How did she improve? Like you, we found it really difficult to access support. She wasn't able to go to therapy, or speak on the phone or have someone in her house, which really limited the sort of help available. I honestly can't say what finally helped, and I know she still struggles, but she does now work and socialise which she sees as a huge achievement. However, she still finds it difficult to let people in her home and she still has days where she can't go out at all.
    Obviously everyone's journey is different, but she used to say similar things to you with regards to graded exposure and we realised she was pushing herself too far and not acknowledging the small steps she was taking. Some days just getting dressed was an achievement and when she realised that and started being kinder to herself it helped. She had to forgive herself for 'episodes' and not let it reinforce the belief that it would happen every time. 

    I know she won't mind me saying, she used to be always very down on herself and had very low sense of self-worth and self-esteem. Acknowledging her difficulties and accepting them as a part of her, not all of her (as well as realising she wasn't alone with them) helped her move forward. 

    Which brings me to my next point — I know you feel you don't contribute anything but you need to remember that even posting on here contributes more than you realise. Contributing can't just be judged on how much you produce, or how much money you make, but on how you affect others and while you think you aren't contributing socially, I don't think that's the case. There will be someone out there now reading your messages and finding support and comfort in the fact that they're not alone. I think living with anxiety has to involve a level of acceptance. You have to know that your experience of life won't necessarily be the same as someone else who might not live with anxiety every single day, but that doesn't mean it's not worthwhile in its own way.

    I know it wouldn't be an easy step for you to take, but if you'd be willing, we would be more than happy to try and find you some additional support. If this is something you're interested in, you can always send me an email at community@scope.org.uk
    Community Manager
    Scope
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  • thespiceman
    thespiceman Community member Posts: 6,388 Disability Gamechanger
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    Hello @OverlyAnxious   Sorry to hear what you are going through.

    I thought I would like to mention.

    Have been putting some posts on the forum. Some information and guidance, advice on coping methods, strategies I use every day.

    Psychological coping methods. 

    These are often given to you as part of your recovery . When you enrol as a member of a mental health charity.

    Might be worth having a look. If that helps you.

    This does take a lot of time and practise also may I add. Understanding your self and why you are the way anxiety and other mental health causes issues.

    Is having the tools and knowledge to deal with coping and finding answers and solutions.

    I hope @Adrian_Scope can help with anything. I hope if I can as well always happy to be supportive.

    Please take care.

    @thespiceman
    Community Champion
    SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
    Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
    Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
    Recipes
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  • anxiousbird
    anxiousbird Community member Posts: 165 Pioneering
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    OverlyAnxious said:

    I don't agree that everyone has value but appreciate that's not a common opinion.  I've been a burden my whole life so far, and with no chance of that ever changing.  I was already well aware of this by the age of 12 and if it wasn't for these damn injury fears I would've been gone that year.  Since then the burden has just grown, both financially and socially, and I can't ever repay all the money that has been wasted on me so far.  I accept that some people are a financial burden but contribute in other ways (socially etc) but I can't do that either, I just cause hassle for everyone that has the unfortunate task of having to deal with me.  It shouldn't worry you though, I can't cope with a cut finger let alone a proper injury from a failed suicide attempt so it's never going to happen sadly.  The recent realisation of that fact is what has forced me to try and get some help both physically and mentally in order to at least be able to get through life, instead of just being dragged through it by the passage of time, but so far I just keep hitting dead ends with that.

    Adrian_Scope said:

    Which brings me to my next point — I know you feel you don't contribute anything but you need to remember that even posting on here contributes more than you realise. Contributing can't just be judged on how much you produce, or how much money you make, but on how you affect others and while you think you aren't contributing socially, I don't think that's the case. There will be someone out there now reading your messages and finding support and comfort in the fact that they're not alone. I think living with anxiety has to involve a level of acceptance. You have to know that your experience of life won't necessarily be the same as someone else who might not live with anxiety every single day, but that doesn't mean it's not worthwhile in its own way
    Hi @OverlyAnxious
    You replied to a comment of mine on another post and I started reading your other discussions. I have to say, this is the first time ever I’ve come across someone who’s described exactly the sort of feelings I experience! I never thought there could be anybody else out there with similar feelings and has the same problems as I do. I always used to think I was an anomaly or just over sensitive or that there was something seriously wrong with me that I was not able to deal with the smallest of ‘tasks’ in my daily life. Your post has really helped me. Just knowing that I’m not alone in that.  
    I have also not been able to clean my teeth properly for about a year now. No toothpaste/mouthwash. I got a really bad tooth infection last month (I guess I expected it to happen at some point anyway!). So basically now my dentist has asked me to come in for a root canal/ extraction and I’ve already postponed the appointment once and now made up my mind to cancel it altogether! I’ve honestly really tried to think logically and build up the courage to get the treatment but I just can’t! 
    So yes, i would agree with @adrian_scope that just posting on here is already a contribution! You’ve helped me :) 
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  • bluefox
    bluefox Community member Posts: 636 Pioneering
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    Hi @OverlyAnxious

    I have searched in the forums since I feel you’re very similar to me and I have a private psychiatrist appointment tomorrow because I’ve also been told I may have OCD, panic and agoraphobia. 

    Can I ask you? When you say you have OCD around illness/injury do you mean like illness anxiety disorder which is a form of OCD? Put simply ‘health anxiety’ 
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  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community member Posts: 2,616 Disability Gamechanger
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    bluefox said:
    Hi @OverlyAnxious

    I have searched in the forums since I feel you’re very similar to me and I have a private psychiatrist appointment tomorrow because I’ve also been told I may have OCD, panic and agoraphobia. 

    Can I ask you? When you say you have OCD around illness/injury do you mean like illness anxiety disorder which is a form of OCD? Put simply ‘health anxiety’ 
    Hi.  I've never been properly diagnosed and not found any medical professional who actually understands my main issue so far.

    Basically I'm completely repulsed by any sort of body, living or dead (my own, other peoples, animals, etc).  The sight, sound, smell, feel of bodily fluids and physical bodily sensations is a constant source of near-intolerable discomfort for me.  Just trying to get food in and deal with anything coming out is really more than I can manage on a daily basis, so I've obviously got no chance at medical treatment.  If I just cut myself accidentally while washing up, that triggers the shock response which renders my body useless for minutes/hours afterwards.  I've often seen people do things in an emergency that they couldn't otherwise do, however I personally turn into jelly and am completely useless in an emergency.

    Sadly this has been labelled as 'health anxiety' in the past.  But old-school GP's still see health anxiety as hypochondria.  They are not the same thing at all, at least not in my case.  A hypochondriac worries about problems they don't have, and will be at the Doctors all the time and taking as many pills as they can get...  I worry about problems that I DO have, because I can't have any treatment for them.

    I should add, this thread was started over 3 years ago.  I never did get to the dentist again.  And have many physical health issues now that I desperately need to be sorted but have no way to manage that.

    I do hope your psychiatrist appointment went well today, and that you can make some progress from it.  :)
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  • bluefox
    bluefox Community member Posts: 636 Pioneering
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    @OverlyAnxious did you not get an official diagnosis for your agoraphobia? Or panic disorder / OCD?
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  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 54,018 Disability Gamechanger
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    bluefox said:
    @OverlyAnxious did you not get an official diagnosis for your agoraphobia? Or panic disorder / OCD?

    OverlyAnxious did answer that question here.
    OverlyAnxious said:
    Hi.  I've never been properly diagnosed and not found any medical professional who actually understands my main issue so far.


    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
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  • bluefox
    bluefox Community member Posts: 636 Pioneering
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    Yeah, medical professionals can often be useless in understanding our lived experiences. 
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  • leeCal
    leeCal Community member Posts: 7,550 Disability Gamechanger
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    just wondering if anyone has tried hypnotherapy?

    “This is my simple religion. No need for temples. No need for complicated philosophy. Your own mind, your own heart is the temple. Your philosophy is simple kindness.” 
    ― Dalai Lama XIV

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  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community member Posts: 2,616 Disability Gamechanger
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    bluefox said:
    @OverlyAnxious did you not get an official diagnosis for your agoraphobia? Or panic disorder / OCD?
    I've never had an official diagnosis for anything.  Closest I've come to one is 'OCD, agoraphobia & social anxiety' written on a fit note so I could apply for ESA.  I initially applied for JSA and very quickly realised I couldn't manage the requirements for the job search. 
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  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Community Co-Production Group, Scope Member Posts: 10,410 Disability Gamechanger
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    I have got my dentist appointment on the 23rd of February 
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  • bluefox
    bluefox Community member Posts: 636 Pioneering
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    OverlyAnxious said:
    bluefox said:
    @OverlyAnxious did you not get an official diagnosis for your agoraphobia? Or panic disorder / OCD?
    I've never had an official diagnosis for anything.  Closest I've come to one is 'OCD, agoraphobia & social anxiety' written on a fit note so I could apply for ESA.  I initially applied for JSA and very quickly realised I couldn't manage the requirements for the job search. 
    So I’m guessing you claim ESA/UC. Is this why poppy and calcotti tell me I don’t need an official diagnosis for ESA/UC/PIP.  
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  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community member Posts: 2,616 Disability Gamechanger
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    durhamjaide2001 said:
    I have got my dentist appointment on the 23rd of February 
    Good luck!  :)
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  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community member Posts: 2,616 Disability Gamechanger
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    bluefox said:
    OverlyAnxious said:
    bluefox said:
    @OverlyAnxious did you not get an official diagnosis for your agoraphobia? Or panic disorder / OCD?
    I've never had an official diagnosis for anything.  Closest I've come to one is 'OCD, agoraphobia & social anxiety' written on a fit note so I could apply for ESA.  I initially applied for JSA and very quickly realised I couldn't manage the requirements for the job search. 
    So I’m guessing you claim ESA/UC. Is this why poppy and calcotti tell me I don’t need an official diagnosis for ESA/UC/PIP.  
    Yeah.  I've been on legacy ESA for about 8 years.  Dreading the migration to UC but we'll all be moved over to that eventually.  Have also had PIP for the last 3 years, though that was more difficult to get without any formal evidence.  Currently waiting for PIP review results (18 months wait so far) so will be interesting to see whether I get awarded again or not.
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  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 54,018 Disability Gamechanger
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    bluefox said:
    OverlyAnxious said:
    bluefox said:
    @OverlyAnxious did you not get an official diagnosis for your agoraphobia? Or panic disorder / OCD?
    I've never had an official diagnosis for anything.  Closest I've come to one is 'OCD, agoraphobia & social anxiety' written on a fit note so I could apply for ESA.  I initially applied for JSA and very quickly realised I couldn't manage the requirements for the job search. 
    So I’m guessing you claim ESA/UC. Is this why poppy and calcotti tell me I don’t need an official diagnosis for ESA/UC/PIP.  
    That's because the advice you've constantly been given is correct. I've told you quite a few times on various threads that my daughter first claimed PIP in 2017 and that was before she had any diagnosis.

    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
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  • bluefox
    bluefox Community member Posts: 636 Pioneering
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    poppy123456 said:
    bluefox said:
    OverlyAnxious said:
    bluefox said:
    @OverlyAnxious did you not get an official diagnosis for your agoraphobia? Or panic disorder / OCD?
    I've never had an official diagnosis for anything.  Closest I've come to one is 'OCD, agoraphobia & social anxiety' written on a fit note so I could apply for ESA.  I initially applied for JSA and very quickly realised I couldn't manage the requirements for the job search. 
    So I’m guessing you claim ESA/UC. Is this why poppy and calcotti tell me I don’t need an official diagnosis for ESA/UC/PIP.  
    That's because the advice you've constantly been given is correct. I've told you quite a few times on various threads that my daughter first claimed PIP in 2017 and that was before she had any diagnosis.

    Did you say your daughter had social anxiety? I’ve just been diagnosed with that by the psychiatrist. 
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  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 54,018 Disability Gamechanger
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    bluefox said:
    poppy123456 said:
    bluefox said:
    OverlyAnxious said:
    bluefox said:
    @OverlyAnxious did you not get an official diagnosis for your agoraphobia? Or panic disorder / OCD?
    I've never had an official diagnosis for anything.  Closest I've come to one is 'OCD, agoraphobia & social anxiety' written on a fit note so I could apply for ESA.  I initially applied for JSA and very quickly realised I couldn't manage the requirements for the job search. 
    So I’m guessing you claim ESA/UC. Is this why poppy and calcotti tell me I don’t need an official diagnosis for ESA/UC/PIP.  
    That's because the advice you've constantly been given is correct. I've told you quite a few times on various threads that my daughter first claimed PIP in 2017 and that was before she had any diagnosis.

    Did you say your daughter had social anxiety?

    Yes as well as ASD and a learning disability.
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
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  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,978 Disability Gamechanger
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    How are you currently feeling after being diagnosed with social anxiety by the psychiatrist @bluefox? I appreciate that new diagnoses can often throw up a whirlwind of emotions.

    Here for you, if you would like to talk about it further or need any further support. Please keep us in the loop with how you are feeling and if there's anything we can do to help  :)
    Community Volunteer Adviser with professional knowledge of education, special educational needs and disabilities and EHCP's. Pronouns: She/her. 

    Please note: if I use the online community outside of its hours of administration, I am doing so in a personal capacity only.
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  • bluefox
    bluefox Community member Posts: 636 Pioneering
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    poppy123456 said:
    bluefox said:
    poppy123456 said:
    bluefox said:
    OverlyAnxious said:
    bluefox said:
    @OverlyAnxious did you not get an official diagnosis for your agoraphobia? Or panic disorder / OCD?
    I've never had an official diagnosis for anything.  Closest I've come to one is 'OCD, agoraphobia & social anxiety' written on a fit note so I could apply for ESA.  I initially applied for JSA and very quickly realised I couldn't manage the requirements for the job search. 
    So I’m guessing you claim ESA/UC. Is this why poppy and calcotti tell me I don’t need an official diagnosis for ESA/UC/PIP.  
    That's because the advice you've constantly been given is correct. I've told you quite a few times on various threads that my daughter first claimed PIP in 2017 and that was before she had any diagnosis.

    Did you say your daughter had social anxiety?

    Yes as well as ASD and a learning disability.
    Can I ask you, poppy. Did you have a definitive diagnosis of social anxiety?
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  • bluefox
    bluefox Community member Posts: 636 Pioneering
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    L_Volunteer said:
    How are you currently feeling after being diagnosed with social anxiety by the psychiatrist @bluefox? I appreciate that new diagnoses can often throw up a whirlwind of emotions.

    Here for you, if you would like to talk about it further or need any further support. Please keep us in the loop with how you are feeling and if there's anything we can do to help  :)
    Finally being validated for my anxiety conditions may help me in the immediate future at least. Panic disorder, agoraphobia and social anxiety. 
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