SAD and NHS advice please

[jennylmb]

I am not working due to my condition of Social Anxiety Disorder and Depression. What I need to know is what to do when I'm being refused CBT by my NHS doctor and he is sending me back to the Councillors who had already refused to see me as they said I was too damaged and the course wouldn't be enough time to help me and would therefore make me worse.
I feel like I'm stuck with no where to go, I'm so scared that I won't be able to cope and might give in and do something I would of otherwise maybe regret with the much needed help.
I have had help in the past with Councillors but I don't feel it's enough long term, I have been on fluoxetine (Prozac) coming up-to six years now. I'm still the same when I'm around people, even close family.
I don't have money to go private or I would of. I would like to get a job and earn my own living but my illness is blocking me from having any type of life. I'm hidden away day in day out terrified to be around people and what they think. I don't know what to do but I want to get better. Any advice, story or offers are welcome, thank you for your time for reading this and replying if you do so.

[Bettie]

I feel for you! What a horrible place to be in. Having dealt with the good ol' NHS I know what you mean. When I had my first panic attack I went to the doctors to get help. I ended walking away with just some old print out on how to improve my 'sleep hygiene' and de-stress techniques. I cried afterwards because I felt so low and like a freak because no one seemed to take it seriously.

I pestered the doc 4 more times after that and was given anti depressant pills. These didn't really work and when I went back I was told there was nothing more he could do and that was it.

Private help is not an option for me either so I decided to stop fighting the NHS and help myself. Whilst I think pills are good for the short term, I wanted to tackle the root of my problem otherwise I would never get better. The internet is a great tool as is this site for info so don't feel like you have nowhere to go...there are loads of people in the same boat as us and making progress.

There are people here doing CBT so maybe get some tips from them? Get into a routine of combining exercise, hobbies, reading self help books (and implementing what you think will work for you). After a while you will start to see if a difference if you properly embrace the idea.