I came across the post "Panic Attack - was it?" on Isolated Existence blog and I left a comment but because the situation felt so familiar I found myself wanting to say so much more. Problem was I don't actually personally know the blogger and although the situation sounded familiar I could be misinterpreting things and I when I thought about it I thought I was perhaps being a bit pushy saying anymore. So, I have used Isolations post as inspiration instead...

1. Wouldn't I know if I was depressed, having a panic attack or was a perfectionist?
   Not in my experience. I've blogged about it before but I only went to see the doctor when my wife left me and she suggested I went to see the doctor. I only went so as to please her, thinking I might be able to get her back - I certainly never actually thought I was ill. I assumed that this was what life was like and this was as good as it gets. Only later did the light bulb go on and I realised AH! I am depressed! It took years before I accepted that it didn't have to be like this and I could change.
2. My doctor doesn't listen they just want to get rid of me so they can see the next patient!
   Well done for recognizing that you feel like this (does this sound patronizing?). Whether or not they are really trying to get rid of you as quick as possible isn't as important as the fact that this is how you feel. If you feel you need more time with the doctor ask if you can have a longer appointment or if you can make another appointment to discuss things further - perhaps it's the doctor and you could just book to see another one?
3. I will make an appointment.... next time!
   Well, you could wait until next time. You could wait until things are really, really bad. You could just wait and see if you get better and maybe if this was the first time you felt like this then maybe it might make sense but if you have felt like this before ask yourself honestly about why you are putting it off and then book the appointment anyway :) You have nothing to lose and everything to gain - if the doctor says you are OK then thats great news and might help you relax.
4. The doctor will just give me more pills - I hate taking medication!
   Pills do seem to be considered by some people as a kind of magic that fixes everything but not all doctors will just stick you on medication. A good doctor will listen to how you are feeling and ask you about why you feel that way. A series of diagnostic questions might also help them decide whether you need medication or an alternative form of treatment or maybe none at all. If you aren't happy taking medication then discuss this with your doctor. I used to be terrible at taking tablets because I was scared that they might change me (Yes! I know that was the idea!) and that I would no longer be me but a person controlled by medication and I didn't like to think I couldn't control myself. Actually, I finally (after a number of years) worked out that actually the medication wouldn't cure me but would help me get better so that I could REALLY begin to gain control and start truely getting better.
5. You don't understand. Nobody understands!
   Everybody is unique, your situation, your feelings are very personal and individual and nobody is going to be experiencing exactly the same thing as you. Nobody is going to understand exactly what you are going through. People understanding you might seem like the most important thing in the world BUT do you really need everyone to understand everything? Or do you just want to stop feeling like this and start to feel better?
   
6. It's just temporary - I will get better
   It took years of medication, counselling and therapy to understand this and you are absolutely right. Like you I believe it is temporary (isn't everything? except maybe death and taxes!), you can get better and you might even be able to do it on your own BUT it might be a lot easier and quicker if you get some help and support.

OK, that's only 6 excuses for now. But hopefully you can come up with some more and if I hadn't lied then you might not have read this post ;) Small lies are OK aren't they (that's another post for another day!)?