Advice on seeking care

LegacyUser

I go to a medical centre. About two Christmases back after a serious viral illness that nearly killed me, I developed psychosomatic symptoms in social situations and was diagnosed with social phobia. I sought help via pschoanalytic therapy which after about 16 sessions deemed useless. The psychosomatic illness was in response to specific social pressure which has subsided.
To continue, I went to the doctor last week and have an inguinal hernia, as well as a hiatal hernia. I have also had heart problems recently waking up at night with numb left arm and irregular beats.
So I have been under a bit of pressure the last 8 months and did not go get checked out. Instead I left it till last week.
Anyway, I went in and first off had the hernia diagnosed. Then I went to talk about the heart and the doctor steered the conversation to my anxiety issues and hiatal, and asked me to purchase a glorified rennie tablet over the counter which have been useless.
What I am trying to ask here is three questions.
1. I feel as though my history of a 'mental illness' in that I feel extreme anxiety in social situations, is making me come accross as a basket case and is going to affect every decision made by that doctor in the future.
2. Did I go in with too many issues and try to get them seen to all at once, prompting the doctor to fluster and fob me off with regards specific advice or action?
3. With regard to my inguinal hernia, he asked me to watch it for a while to see if it got any bigger, after telling him it started out the size of a pea and is now the size of a marble. Im only 31. Surely should I wish to continue my active lifestyle involving gym etc I should have this operated on immediately and stopped? In my eyes it is logical it can only become worse. Am I missing something.
I feel like a bit of an idiot who is putting his health in the hands of someone who also thinks Im an idiot. Can someone please give me some assurance or advice on this.

Silverfish

Pre-emptive warning - please don't try to diagnose or give medical advice.

Thank you.

sambuka41

Hi OP it sounds like you have a lot going on at the moment. I don't think that your doctor sees you as a basket case, he/she is just taking your history into account. Anxiety and stress can cause serious health problems, its important that he address that. By your own admission you have had a lot going on for the last 8 months, maybe this is having an effect on your health?

Most GP's stick to short times for each patient, everyone is scheduled in to tiny slots, maybe next time when booking the visit mention to the receptionist that you have quite a bit to discuss with the doctor in case she is scheduling anyone after you. I've done it before and it was fine, the receptionist was really nice about it.

As well just to say that psychoanalytic psychotherapy takes a very long time, 16 sessions is nothing, most people attend for average between 2-3 years. Training analysts go for 5 years. Its a very specific type of therapy and is advisable for social phobia, but it doesn't suit everyone. There are other forms of therapy that are shorter and might suit you better, something like CBT? 31 is still young, you can learn to manage the symptoms and reduce your anxiety.

Good Luck