Thought models around getting medical help for thyroid issues

I have recently had the results of a thyroid function blood test following feeling exhausted in my spring and summer (and for a long time). The results showed raised levels of TSH and the presence of thyroid antibodies. The report recommended that I speak to my GP as, along with my symptoms, indicate that my thyroid might be underactive due to my immune system attacking my thyroid.

I have considered getting this tested in the past as I have had a swollen neck since my teens, and several people mentioned it and asked whether I have had my thyroid checked. I had not.

I have moved several times in the last few years and didn’t always register with the local doctor. Since getting my results I have now registered but was told that it may take a week for me to be on their system and that I will have to wait before I can book an appointment.

I feel a mixture of things and have modelled on two of my thoughts below and I would appreciate feedback.

Thought 1
UM
C: signed up with my local doctors surgery following a thyroid function blood test results and was told I may have to wait a week before I can book an appointment.
T: a week is a long time to wait in this situation
F: anxious
A: worry about getting worse in the next week
A: worry about not being able to get an appointment before I go on holiday
A: buy crisps and dip to comfort myself
R: the week feels a long time to wait

IM
T: a week is not that long and I can do my own research in that time
F: reassured
A: research what my results may mean for me
A: prepare for the appointment
A: come up with some potential actions i could take if I’m told A/B/C
R: the week doesn’t feel that long and I am prepared.

Thought 2
C: signed up with my local doctors surgery following a thyroid function blood test results and was told I may have to wait a week before I can book an appointment.
T: I should have signed up to be a patient sooner
F: frustrated
A: worry about getting worse in the next week
A: berate myself about not treating my health as a priority in the past
A: think about all the times I have not put my health first
R: keep feeling frustrated at myself

IM
T: I have got the ball rolling on getting my thyroid assessed
F: accomplished
A: look forward to having some answers rather than guessing
A: think about how much better I will feel with some medical help
R: continue feeling accomplished about taking my health into my own hands

Thank you

 

Answer:

These are great models. How are you feeling about the intentional thoughts?

What I recommend is before you can go to the intentional, it helps to understand the unintentional model. Let’s start with the first one.

What would be a satisfactory amount of time to wait for an appointment?
You mention that you worry that it will get worse in that time. What are you imagining as the worst case scenario? If that happened, what would you do?

Understanding the story your brain is telling you may help you see all parts of that story. Maybe if you got worse, depending on what that means to you, you would call the doctor sooner. Maybe you would have learned something from your research to try. What other possibilities are there?

As for the second thought, why did you not sign up sooner? You mentioned moving several times. Maybe you had felt fine. Maybe you were focused on other parts of establishing yourself in a new place. Whatever the reason was, how can you have compassion and understanding for yourself? Maybe it sounds like “I made the decision that I thought was best for me with the information that I had at the time.”

The other consideration of that thought is what do you think would be different if you signed up sooner? You may think that you would have been diagnosed sooner. What would be different then?

Seeing all parts of the story of your unintentional model then helps you see how some of what your brain is telling you may not be true. Once you begin seeing some of those errors of thoughts, then you can start working on that intentional model. It becomes easier to believe.

Lastly, spend some time with those intentional thoughts. Close your eyes, repeat them to yourself, and notice how you feel. That will show you if you are on the right track.