topic why do they make it so logistically hard??? in Depression

why do they make it so logistically hard???

MrsCam — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 05:16:17 GMT

The section for posting re bipolar has disappeared so I am back in this forum.

have been struggling badly with the depressive side of my bipolar2 recently. Had a video link session with my counsellor yesterday who suggested I call my psychiatrist for a discussion re possibly adjusting my medication dose. Called his rooms but no he cant discuss it with me on the phone I have to go in. I live 1500km from perth, its not that easy to just drop in. So I called PATS to find out if I would be eligible for assistance for the airfare, (which thank god I am ) they just need a letter from the doctors office confirming my appointment. Had to beg with the doctors receptionist to email me that then I had to forward it to PATS with a request for what flight I want them to book me on...

Ive managed so far to do it all but far out, when all you want is for the world to end having to deal with this bureaucratic stuff is just a nightmare.. I was in tears on the phone and the receptionist at the psychs office just said "we cant help you till you come to perth. Call us back when you know when that will be" and hung up on me so Im really enthused about going in there on monday... and the books my psych told me to get I cant even understand what they on about so thats gonna go over real well when he finds out I havent done them. He is big on the whole noone can help me if Im not helping myself thing and Im pretty sure failing to do the workbooks will be considered me not helping myself...

so over it. Wanted to hurt myself this morning but Im too gutless to go through with it.

my hubby came home from work when I told him that but I wish he would go back cos he is not actually speaking to me and I had to cry and beg just to get a cuddle which made me feel pathetic. I understand he has had enough, so have I

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why do they make it so logistically hard???

White_Rose — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 06:37:27 GMT

Dear Mrs Cam

I am so sorry that you are having such a bad time. I know nothing about Bipolar so I cannot comment on it. But I do feel for you re your psychiatrist. What a miserable person. I find that receptionists tend to follow the example of their doctors in the way they treat patients. How ridiculous not to discuss your medication on the phone. This is bureaucracy gone mad as you say.

I don't know how long you have been seeing this psych, but is it possible to see a different psych? Someone with a bit more compassion and common sense. Giving you books to read can be a good thing, but only if you can understand them. Tough love is all very well in its place, but not when the task is too hard.

I do hope you get to see him soon and get your medication reviewed. Perhaps you will start to feel better and get on better with your spouse.

All the best.

Mary

why do they make it so logistically hard???

MrsCam — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 06:50:55 GMT

Thanks Mary.

Im seeing him on monday. Ive only met him a couple of times, he was the Dr on duty when I was admitted to Perth Clinic earlier this year.

My hubby called our local hospital as the email I recieved from bb after I made this post suggested that might be helpful. They gave him a number to call in Karratha but that is over 3 hours drive away so I really see no point in calling there.

I guess I just have to suck it up and continue on as usual.

why do they make it so logistically hard???

MrsCam — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 02:51:13 GMT

Sick of hearing that it will get better.

heard from the doctor on call at Tom Price hospital last night, have been hearing it from my hubby and heard it from 2 of my friends in the last 24 hours.

what they all conveniently ignore is that even if I do feel better for a bit I will without a doubt feel worse again, either next week or next month or next year. Dont know when but I know it will happen. Its the only thing that is a certainty in this screwed up life of mine.

Ive had enough and I want out

beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

why do they make it so logistically hard???

MrsCam — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 05:29:20 GMT

Flying to Perth this evening and will see the psychiatrist in the morning. Dont really see a point but if thats what my hubby & gp say I should do then I guess I will go along with it.

nervous of seeing the psych

why do they make it so logistically hard???

White_Rose — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 07:43:06 GMT

Good luck!

Thinking of you.

Mary

why do they make it so logistically hard???

Jo3 — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 09:37:14 GMT

Hi Mrs Cam

I just want to say that I will be thinking of you tomorrow when you see this psych. Good luck with everything, hope things get better for you soon.

Take care, let us know how you go

Jo xx

why do they make it so logistically hard???

MrsCam — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 22:11:29 GMT

Im in Perth Clinic again.

my psych says that medically Im fine I just have a personality problem so I need to change that.

I am starting dbt classes on monday. I was sent home with books about dbt last time but one of them I couldnt understand anything. It does say in the first chapter it is a guide for therapists so to be honest Im not even sure why I was told to get it. The other book I sort of understood.

getting a bit frustrated with being told "dont be scared" and "dont stress". Cos thats so easy.

my husband is going home tomorrow and he & my mum have organized for her to fly over from Victoria and stay in Perth for the duration of my stay. I was soooo peeed off with them both for doing that behind my back. My psych says that when im destressed I revert to being a child and that is something I have to change and hubby knows that so them arranging this without consulting me doesnt really fit with that. Told them both off which made me feel a bit better. Have also told my mum that sometimes I might not want company so I might just tell her to leave even if it is visiting hours.

my hubby is picking me up today and we are going to the shops for a bit. I guess that might b ok.

When I saw my psych on thursday he said he would see me on the ward friday but that didnt happen. Was the same last time I was here, only seen the guy 3 times in 2 weeks. Other patients talk about seeing their doctor everyday so I dont know if I would b better to ask to see another psych. Was thinking of calling my gp in tom price on monday and asking him what he thinks....

anyways thats the latest on me. Still not convinced this life is worth living but no one thinks im serious about that anyway so no point in telling them thats how I feel

why do they make it so logistically hard???

geoff — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 22:48:06 GMT

dear Mrs. Cam,I am so sorry I haven't replied back to you on this post, but I just can't understand what your psych is thinking, how on earth can he ever treat a patient like this, it's highly unprofessional, and not advised to do to someone who has a mental problem, his ethics are certainly unwarranted, and I know what I would be saying back to him, but it wouldn't pass the Moderators.

I would by all means speak to your GP and request another psych, and whether you want to change to seeing a psychologist would be on the cards.

Your hubby and your mum may have thought that they had the right idea by organising the appointment behind your back, but in this case no, plus I don't think that it's appropriate driving several hours just to visit a psych, for a couple of reasons, the appointment is not long enough; the session may not go well; and the drive is where your mind will be ticking over going from feeling OK, if that's possible at the moment to then going into a deep depressed state.

You won't even begin to get any better if you don't click with your psych, so please let us know what you think. L Geoff. x

why do they make it so logistically hard???

White_Rose — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 22:52:25 GMT

Dear Mrs Cam

Not sure whether to congratulate you or not. You have such mixed feelings about being in hospital again. I do understand your frustration about others organising your life. I think I would be cross about it as well.

It does seem that your psychiatrist has a bit of a come day, go day, attitude towards his patients. Perhaps it would be a good idea to consult your GP.

It's very hard when you do not have the resources to manage your everyday living. This can make you feel that life is not worth living. However, it would be nice if someone would recognise that your comments are more about your fear and uncertainty of the future and the desire to have some certainty. Unfortunately, leaving this life does not give you the option of getting well again. And if you, your psych and your family can work together the outcome could be really wonderful.

It is my belief that no matter how good the psych is, if the relationship does not work you need to change. And actually I think that if the psych is really good at the job he/she will make the relationship work. Perhaps I am a bit harsh but they are supposed to be the experts and you are the one asking for help. I know it's not a one-way street and you need to do the best you can. However, relatively small things like popping in to see you everyday is surely a basic care task.

Please try and remain as positive as possible. Easy for me to say I know. Get as much information as possible and ways of managing as you can. Perhaps write down all this stuff in a way that you understand and re-read later. Then you will have something concrete to take home with you.

I hope you are able to write in again soon.

Mary

why do they make it so logistically hard???

MrsCam — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 03:12:50 GMT

Thanks Geoff.

they didnt set up the treatment behind my back, just that my mum would fly over from victoria and stay in perth while im in here. She says its also to help my hubby cos he is going home so I wouldnt b having any visitors if she didnt come.

I have no choice but to travel several hours to appointments as there are no mental health services in Tom Price where I live.

my hubby did say the other day that he would look into transferring to a fly in fly out role so we would be able to live in our house in Perth. I hope that will happen as I really hate living in TP, we been there for 6 years and it is a small minded hell hole (I actually think alot worse about the place and some of the people there but as you say, we have to keep the language within the mods perameters lol)

Dont even know how I go about seeking the oppinion of another psych. Do I just ask the nurses or what?? Will call my gp (the only thing I would be sad to have out of my life if we did leave town) and see what he suggests

why do they make it so logistically hard???

MrsCam — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 03:18:35 GMT

Thankyou mary

it seems that all my concerns and feelings are kind of being brushed aside with "you need to change and dbt will help you do that."

Lets hope they are right.

why do they make it so logistically hard???

White_Rose — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 09:15:34 GMT

Dear Mrs Cam

First, what is DBT? How does it work? I don't think I have heard of it before. How do you feel about it? Does it sound like something that will help you? Sorry for all the questions, it's a new concept to me.

How are you feeling with your mom around? I must admit I would love to have my mom here but she died 15 years ago.

I hope you can return to Perth if this will help you. Your surroundings are so crucial in managing a mental illness so I hope this will work. You will also have easier access to a psychiatrist or psychologist of your choice. Clearly the current psych has little regard for you as Geoff has said.

I am feeling down today and not sure why. Had an enjoyable afternoon yesterday and my daughter and family visited today. My son-in-law fixed all my lights which is fantastic. So why I should feel miserable I don't know. Feels like I could burst into tears at the drop of a hat.

Take care

Mary

why do they make it so logistically hard???

MrsCam — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 06:00:37 GMT

Hi Mary,

It stands for dialectical behaviour therapy.

I am going to learn about mindfullness, which was this mornings topic, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation and crisis planning.

this weeks group is like an intro to each topic then the program proper is a once a week for 12 weeks, both groups workshops and individual therapy. Not sure at this stage when or even if Im going to be doing that due to the logistics of getting here when I live so far away, tho Im hopingbI will be able to as I figure it can only benefit me to do the whole program. HopefullybI can get some assistance from PATS

My Mum is arriving on wednesday. Atleast that was the plan last I heard. I got upset and angry with my parents re a situation that occured in our family when I was younger and I told my hubby to tell them. Neither he nor I have heard from them since tho I think she probably will still come over, she will just be annoyed atme when she gets here for bringing the subject up.

I know I have to let go of all the hurtful stuff. Im just not really sure how to do that...

I hope you are feeling better today Mary

why do they make it so logistically hard???

MrsCam — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 06:05:09 GMT

My hubby was keen to get a 2nd oppinion from another psych so he asked one of my nurses how we should go about doing that. Turns out it would be difficult or near impossible whilst I am an inpatient here. Will reasses with my gp when I get home. In the meantime I am going with the flow as best I can and trying to not show it to anyone when I am having difficult moments

why do they make it so logistically hard???

MrsCam — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 07:08:23 GMT

So I was discharged from perth clinic today and I am sitting at the airport waiting to go home. My flightis boarding in about an hour and Im trying to keep myself together and psych myself up for actually getting on it. Really really dont want to go back to my life in Tom Price 😞

Pretty much figured out to just tell my psych and the nurses what they wanted to hear as whenever I tried to voice what I was truely feeling they would just give me a serve about how I just have to decide to change and how I have to be positive. It was so hard for me to get the courage to tell my nurse one morning that I had been crying in my room for mostof the previous 2 days and tho she was empathetic to and put a note in my file all I got from my doctor when I saw him in the nurses station the next day was a chuckle and a comment that its good that Im not so grumpy now. Then that night I mentioned to another nurse about crying lots and being unsure on how I should go about changing my personality problem and she said "its easy as, you just have to decide to change". Thats pretty much when I decided to just start saying what they wanted to hear.

if I can get the PATS assistance I will do the 12 week dbt program as I think I could benefit from some of that but otherwise I think Im pretty much done with that place.

Anyway thats the latest on me. The wifi in the clinic was playing up so I couldnt keep up with everyones posts but I hope everyone in bb land is doing ok 🙂