topic How to get help in Depression

How to get help

Elsye — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 05:50:28 GMT

Hi,

I need some help. I saw a psychologist for about ten years before she retired at the end of last year. At the time I was put on a waiting list with a psychologist who had an eight month waiting list. I finally saw him in June and we had eight sessions before I decided he was not helping me in any way and I was actually feeling worse because with my previous one I felt hopeful and positive after leaving the sessions. With him I felt he didn’t get me, we never made any progress and I was feeling worse because I felt hopeless about my situation like things would never get better because my only hope (psychology) was not working, as opposed to having some hope for a better future like with my last psychologist.
The clincher was when something bad happened to me a month ago and I called up in tears asking if he could see me sooner than my next scheduled appointment. He never bothered to even call to say he couldn’t see me but was I ok. I confronted him at my next appointment and he said he got the message but he was busy and “I didn’t specifically ask for a call back”. I could tell them he didn’t care about me, just my money and I did not return after that session.
Anyway, that was a month ago and since then I have been calling every psychologist I can find that works remotely near me. They all say sorry I am not taking on new patients. How do I get help when no one will see me?

I am in so much pain. I’m not suicidal or anything but I don’t want to get out of bed in the morning, I cry all throughout the day and feel hopeless and sad all the time. I am anxious all the time. I have a difficult work situation and I just feel trapped. I need some help but don’t understand why psychologists don’t care, I am sure they can hear the pain in my voice when I call because I am trying hard not to cry on the phone.
my Gp hasn’t helped either. He just said that’s all the psychologists I know. Maybe I’m expecting too much to assume a gp would care and help me find someone, or that a psychologist would tell i was in need and make an exception, but regardless the situation is what it is and I just don’t know what else to do.
does anyone have any advice?

How to get help

Sophie_M — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 06:05:50 GMT

Hi Elsye,

Welcome to our friendly online community. We're so sorry to hear that there have been so many barriers to getting help - we understand that this must be really upsetting and frustrating. We also know how important it is to have support from a professional that you trust so that you can have a good working relationship with them.

Have you tried calling the Beyond Blue Support Service for some advice and support? Our friendly counsellors are available 24/7 by phone on 1300 22 4636 or on Webchat 3pm-12am AEST on our website: www.beyondblue.org.au/getsupport

In the meantime, please don't feel that you have to do this alone. While you are in the process of finding a long-term psychologist, please feel free to get in touch with our friends at Lifeline (13 11 14) in moments where you are struggling.

Thanks again for reaching out here. Hopefully a few of our members will be by over the next few days to welcome you to the community.

How to get help

smallwolf — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 10:18:59 GMT

hi and welcome.

Sorry to hear about your experiences with your psychologist and GP. It must be quite frustrating for you. I know it wont be the same but you have have joined a supportive and nonjudgmental community here who can respond. It might not be the same as calling a friend. Speaking of which, what sort of a support network do you have?

In relation to your search for another psychologist, have you tried the APS Find a Psychologist function? You can access it here ...

https://www.psychology.org.au/Find-a-Psychologist

Hope that helps and please feel free to post here in the meantime.

Tim

How to get help

mocha delight — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 12:19:53 GMT

Hi Elsye I’m sorry to hear about what your going through and no one should when they need help so first I think you need one of these 🤗 and I agree with smallwolf as my gp who I’m lucky as she’s a good one recommend me one which I called up afterwards but that psychologist that was recommended she was not taking on new clients so I did what smallwolf suggested to you and was able to get a appointment with the one I decided to go with for a few weeks later which I’ve had my forth appointment with and a 5th & 6th appointment already booked in.