Having a sensitive day or am I over reacting? - Sensible replies please.

Sometimes when we are tired or anxious (believe me I get lots of days like that). comments from people can seem larger than life when in reality they have their mind on something else or perhaps being officious. Be kind to yourself, make a mental note of what to do next and enjoy the long weekend. I have divided the people I come across into 2 groups - the bossy and domineering who always have to control and the nice normal people. I do my best to side step the former and engage with the latter with a smile and thank you. Please don't be hard on yourself, you are human and we all react differently. Keep up with the CBT. I had some and it does serve me in darker hours. I also make a nice cup of tea and watch something funny on You Tube. All the best.

No I don’t think so . If you have anxiety it is very natural ( and normal) to want to go to places where you realise you feel safest. That is just a good coping strategy.

Don’t be bullied into going to another place if you don’t want to . I hope the CBT helps you. The MIND website also has very helpful information for anxiety.

The receptionist was a bit thoughtless and perhaps should think about how her comments might be taken if patients feel vulnerable. Good luck with the rest of your treatment

If you have been going to the same place for three and a half years and nobody but a receptionist has asked you why you don't go somewhere else, I think you should ignore her and carry on going where you feel safe and know the ropes.

You are allowed to be sensitive when you have anxiety related health issues. And dismissive receptionists need to be given more training in how not to be dismissive.

You asked for sensible replies. Perhaps you meant sensitive. My sensible reply to your question is Yes, I think you are being over sensitive. If you never do anything but take the safe option you won’t get over the anxiety. It will continue to control you. You have to challenge yourself. Believe me, I know from personal experience but being signed off work or taking unscheduled annual leave was not a choice available to me. The more you run away from situations the more difficult life is to navigate. The more you take charge of your life the easier it is.

Baggs

If you have been going to the same place for three and a half years and nobody but a receptionist has asked you why you don't go somewhere else, I think you should ignore her and carry on going where you feel safe and know the ropes.

You are allowed to be sensitive when you have anxiety related health issues. And dismissive receptionists need to be given more training in how not to be dismissive.

I agree with this entirely.
I would tell anyone who asks that this has been arranged with your medical team. Leave it at that!

How rude!

Some receptionists are like that and remember that it is her problem, not yours. There is one similar at my Doctor’s practice and I usually try to avoid her or paint a mental picture of a snapping fish which makes me smile ( that fixes ‘em !!) The medical professionals are the ones to listen to, not her.

If you really have to ask your consultant where you need to go for future tests I'd tell them that the receptionist wouldn't book you without their say-so. I'd specifically ask your consultant if you can please please please stay where you are. Tell them what you have told us and tell them why.

Good luck.

GSM might be right about challenging yourself so that you expand your ability to cope but choosing to do something yourself is different from being pushed into it by someone else. It's not surprising that you feel sensitive about what the receptionist said, so would I in the circumstances.

I hate going to places I haven't been before, especially for appointments and similar. I do lots of research on Google Maps and Streetview so that I know exactly where to go, what the place looks like, where the entrance is etc. I look at the website if there is one and even the staff photos if there are any. It gives me much more confidence because the place is familiar.

It might help you if you could get to the bottom of why you wouldn’t feel safe at the other options suggested to you.
Is the Phlebotomy centre or the blood bus nearer to your home?
The receptionist probably thought she was being helpful by mentioning those other options.

I too think that the receptionist may have been trying to be helpful and offer what seemed to be more convenient places to go.
I think that (depending on local arrangements) you may be able to get your GP's receptionists to sort this out. Do not be afraid to say "I'm afraid that I find this all a bit difficult / awkward so would like to continue at the Centre I'm familiar with".
You my find this helpful:
For some years I donated plasma every 2 weeks. When I first went, the nurse said "We'll give you a local anaesthetic" I said not to worry, I had no qualms about having blood taken. She said "We find that even the most stoic seem to get a bit wobbly when they have blood taken frequently, and find this helps".
Staff are normally very happy to work around your 'wobbles' if you tell them, and anyone with a chronic problem is likely to develop them.
And when you are on an even keel, give some thought to how, if need be, you might manage change. Good luck!

In your shoes, I'd just ignore what that one receptionist said and continue to attend where you've felt comfortable for the past several years. If you're asked again, say it's because that's where you've been referred to, where you feel comfortanble, and that you're very happy with the service you've had over the long term. A little flattery often works wonders. Also, the receptionist may even have thought she was being helpful.

I would have called the receptionist out on her rudeness…😐

Baggs

If you have been going to the same place for three and a half years and nobody but a receptionist has asked you why you don't go somewhere else, I think you should ignore her and carry on going where you feel safe and know the ropes.

You are allowed to be sensitive when you have anxiety related health issues. And dismissive receptionists need to be given more training in how not to be dismissive.

I agrée Baggs.
GSM no one should be denied time off for a medical situation, I think that’s harsh of your employers.

I am sure if you had said , " I feel safe coming here and don't want to go anywhere else" she would have just booked you in, try it next time or phone them and say on the phone that you prefer going there they will book you in .

Sometimes, when we are unwell and anxious, we may think people are being unhelpful or dismissive, when they are only trying to offer an alternative.

I speak from personal experience.

I was self employed Jax.

Thank you for your replies. The Phlebotomy centre is in the same place - the Hospital. The centre that I go to is for Haematology and Oncology patients so that is why I feel safe as all are vulnerable and take care. The nurses complete my blood forms and know what they are doing, they then send the results to London and to me so I can pass them onto my Consultants secretary (as they often get lost in the system).

I was so gobsmacked I didnt think quick enough what to say at the time.

I think may be she was trying to be helpful, albeit inconsiderate. I have a Consultant appointment next week so will explain to him and then go and book my next blood test.

Thank you all again.

I agree with others; speaking for myself, when I am feeling vulnerable a word spoken by others, or a look, can make me question and overthink everything! Nobody knows what others are going through, and the phrase "Be Kind To Yourself" is so important.

Not everyone experiences anxiety to the same degree.
Not everyone is up to challenges when facing adversity.

Flakesdayout its brilliant you happen to have an appointment to see the Consultant next week. Explain your extreme anxiety/you are getting MH treatment and please can you continue where you are.

I would be equally thrown - tho I might just have had the oomph because I know my difficulties all to well to say something at the time and cite my MH issues to stay.
That option is still open of course - go and present yourself in person and explain same.

I agree challenges can make you stronger - but its the right challenge at the right time.

We are all very very different, some people would just switch, and others lie awake over it.