You're letting this all get to you -- I think you know that. If this is how you usually react to things, then you need to be in therapy a long time ago. If this is new, then it might be the fear from your current problem. My question is, if you haven't seen a doctor, how do you know you have gallstones? Someone must have diagnosed you for you to know this, who was it? Why didn't this person send you to a specialist? I don't know what kind of insurance you have, some policies require a referral from a primary care physician to allow you to see a specialist. Some don't. If you don't need a referral in your insurance, then you are free to consult a specialist on your own as long as they take your insurance. You need to find these things out, take it one step at a time. Gallstones aren't gallbladder disease, it's a different and less serious problem. It's often caused by eating the wrong kind of calcium. But even if you have gallbladder disease of some kind, it doesn't mean you're going to have the same course someone else had. And know that your therapist won't help you right away -- that takes time and success depends on how good the therapist is and how much you work to do what the therapist and you agree you should do. In other words, and I think you know this, this is in your hands. Take it one step at a time, follow the steps required. Let your physician, assuming you actually need to see him per what I said above, know you are running against the clock. Advocate for yourself. Good luck.