The Anxiety Attack That Made Me Miss My Daughter's Graduation (And Why Online GPs Are Changing Mental Health Care)

The photos from that day still hurt to look at. My daughter Emma in her cap and gown. Her scanning the crowd. The empty seat where I should have been sitting.

I was in the car park. Hyperventilating. Convinced I was dying. Another panic attack had stolen something I'd never get back.

The Breaking Point Nobody Talks About

Anxiety doesn't care about your calendar. It doesn't wait for convenient moments. For three years, I'd been managing panic attacks alone. My GP surgery had an eight-week wait for mental health appointments. "Just anxiety" they said. As if that made it less real.

The night before Emma's graduation, I couldn't sleep. Heart racing. Chest tight. The familiar dread building. I knew what was coming. I tried breathing exercises from YouTube. Meditation apps. Nothing worked.

When it hit the next morning, I was paralysed. I couldn't walk into that ceremony hall. I couldn't explain to Emma why her mother wasn't there. I just sat in the car, sobbing, while she achieved something we'd worked towards her entire life.

Why Traditional Mental Health Care Fails Working People

After missing the graduation, I finally called my GP. Eight weeks for an appointment. The receptionist suggested A&E if it was urgent. A&E for anxiety? Where they'd see me as wasting NHS resources?

Working mothers can't wait eight weeks. We can't take time off for multiple appointments. We can't afford private therapy at £150 per session. The system assumes we have time and money we don't have.

My colleague mentioned The Online GP after seeing me struggle. "They diagnosed my sister's anxiety and prescribed treatment same day," she said. I was sceptical. How could an online consultation help with something as complex as mental health?

The Appointment That Changed Everything

I booked a video consultation for my lunch break. Fifteen minutes later, I was speaking to Dr Sarah, an NHS-trained GP who specialised in mental health. She didn't rush me. She listened. Really listened.

She asked about my symptoms, my triggers, my life circumstances. She explained that anxiety is a medical condition that responds to treatment. She prescribed an SSRI that day and arranged a follow-up for two weeks later. Total cost: £45. Less than one therapy session.

Can online GPs really help with anxiety and depression?

Yes. Online GPs are qualified medical doctors who can assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions. They can prescribe antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, and arrange specialist referrals. Many have specific mental health training.

For conditions like generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and depression, online consultations are as effective as face-to-face appointments. You receive the same standard of care, just without the wait.

What medications can online GPs prescribe for mental health?

Online GPs can prescribe SSRIs (like sertraline, fluoxetine), SNRIs, beta-blockers for anxiety, sleeping tablets, and other standard mental health medications. They cannot prescribe controlled substances like benzodiazepines for long-term use, but they can provide short-term support and ongoing management.

Sarah started me on sertraline 50mg. She explained it would take 4-6 weeks to work fully. She gave me propranolol for immediate panic attack relief. She provided sick notes when I needed time off work. She became my ongoing GP for mental health support.

The NHS Wait That's Costing Lives

Six months after my initial consultation, the NHS finally offered me a face-to-face appointment. By then, I'd had three months of treatment through The Online GP. I was managing my anxiety. I'd learned my triggers. I'd rebuilt my relationship with Emma.

The NHS mental health crisis isn't about lack of doctors. It's about access. When someone needs help, they need it immediately, not in eight weeks. Eight weeks of suffering. Eight weeks of missed work, damaged relationships, and declining mental health.

Is online mental health treatment safe?

Yes, when provided by registered GPs. Online consultations follow the same clinical guidelines as NHS appointments. Your GP has access to your medication history, can monitor your progress, and arrange emergency support if needed. It's regulated healthcare, not an app.

The key is continuity. Seeing the same GP for follow-ups ensures proper monitoring. Medication is adjusted based on your response. Side effects are managed. It's comprehensive care delivered digitally.

Life After Treatment Started

Three months on sertraline, my panic attacks reduced dramatically. I could function at work. I could attend family events. I apologised to Emma and explained what I'd been battling. She understood more than I expected.

I still have anxiety. Medication isn't a cure, it's management. But I have tools now. I have a GP I can message anytime. I have prescriptions delivered to my door. I have stability I didn't think possible.

The graduation ceremony was recorded. Emma and I watched it together, both crying, both healing. I can't get that day back. But I haven't missed anything since.

How to Access Online Mental Health Support

If you're struggling with anxiety, depression, or panic attacks, you don't have to wait eight weeks. Online GPs can assess you today, prescribe treatment if appropriate, and provide ongoing support.

You need: 15 minutes for a video consultation, your current medication list, and a description of your symptoms. Your GP will assess your mental health, discuss treatment options, and arrange follow-up care.

Mental health treatment through The Online GP costs £45 per consultation. Prescriptions are sent to your chosen pharmacy. Sick notes are emailed immediately. Follow-ups can be scheduled whenever you need support.

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Mental health emergencies are time-sensitive. Missing work, relationships, and life events because of untreated anxiety is preventable. You deserve care that works around your life, not the other way around.