Today's my appointment at Oak Street and my anxiety is red-lining

[Siwsan]

7. This will be a good test of the anxiety medication

I already feel an easing. My problem is anxiety drives my blood pressure up, although the last APN said anxiety doesn't do that. My psychiatric PA begged to differ.

Leaving me alone in an exam room 'to relax' just makes my anxiety MUCH worse. My first APN listened to me and spent that time getting to know me. We'd chit chat away for a while and I'd start to relax. My BP was always heading down by the time she was done and I left her appointments feeling good.

The rest haven't bothered to get to know me, AT ALL. I can't begin to explain how their energy just slammed in to me, making me even more anxious. Suffice it to say, I'm not a cookie cutter patient. I need to build trust. Taking my BP at the end of the appointment MIGHT be a better indicator, but what do I know.