topic Managing mental health in Treatments, health professionals and therapies

Managing mental health

Happygoluckymiss — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 02:50:48 GMT

Hi all,

i have realised that now I am ready you speak with a mental health professional.

I recognise I need to now talk about this with a professional and perhaps confront the fear of talking about it.

I have seen professionals in the past and know that by having this baseline it will be the start to help manage the not so good times.

I’m not looking forward to the emotions after - so I am asking this beautiful community on ways they’ve processed their interactions with their MH professional and if there is anything that I can take with me in my mental health toolbox to help ride that wave? Was it a relief? Hard?

As always, I open all suggestions!

- happygoluckymiss

Managing mental health

smallwolf — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 10:54:52 GMT

Hi Happy,

I really only have about "4" tools -

1. the first two are apps on my phone. These are virtual hope box and relax melodies. These were both recommendations from my psych. Other users here will have other suggestions in the area, but for me "less is more". (I did try other ones, but I could not get used to the accents or what they were saying. These can be somewhat subjective.)

2. I also have prayer beads (or you could call them worry beads) for when the apps don't work for me. The nice thing about these is that they are something that I can touch, see, feel, which for me can be more effective.

3. pen and paper. I get homework from my psych each time I see her. So I have to do things like write gratitude journals, things to be thankful for, negative thoughts that worked out ok, and otherwise reflections for the day/week that I will bring up in the next session.

The only area I don't like talking about are the intrusive or SI that can some some days. But then I will still work through these issues. And together find ways of of getting past or through them. The ability for me to be able to understand what is going on in my mind, and learning new coping tools helps me, rather than wallowing in misery.

The very last thing is patience. Issues in me that have been with me for decades cannot be fixed quickly. So I have to take it slow and steady.

Tim

Managing mental health

blondguy — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 11:32:45 GMT

Hey Happy

Smallwolf (Tim) has mentioned some excellent examples above...especially where patience is concerned. It can take time to re-train our brain and the way we have been thinking

The fear of seeing a doc/counselor is common and a part of the road to recovery....and yes it can be scary
The earlier anxiety is treated the better our recovery will be.....and sometimes quicker too!
My first therapist was a MHW (mental health worker) who was a career psychiatric nurse through my local council. He made me promise that I would see him weekly at 8:30am on a Tuesday. He also said "If you dont show up for your weekly appointment, I will know you are not serious about recovering from your anxiety"
After 3 visits he had me crying like a baby.....as he asked the 'uncomfortable' questions that were a major catalyst for my anxiety issues...I was so embarrassed by crying that all I could think about was what the receptionist would think..This therapist was an expert in getting through my silly defense mechanisms
Same day...went home...still crying. I was ignorant as I didnt know he was getting me to vent the built up crap I had been through with my dad and family court contact issues
Next Day....I felt such relief and peace...The feeling was wonderful Happygoluckymiss
Ongoing Care....I still see a psychologist every 4 months and my GP every 4 weeks for a fine tune 🙂

Any questions are more than welcome Happy!

my kind thoughts always

Paul

Managing mental health

smallwolf — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 11:53:10 GMT

Hey Paul,

That 3rd point you made is tough love but very true... in chats I have had with both of my psychs not everyone is serious and wonder why they are not getting better. It can be a long, slow and painful journey, but is also up to us to fix ourselves via their guidance, assistance and support.

Tim

Managing mental health

blondguy — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 12:16:25 GMT

Hey Happygoluckymiss

Hey Tim....Thankyou and yes it was very hard work...I neglected to mention that those weekly visits lasted for seven months....He was based in a community health center...I dont think that councils have mental health workers anymore as per budgets etc....I think!?

I loathed attending the first few visits....yet it was one of the smartest choices I have ever made. That said I still need to have monthly visits with my GP

Yes...it does take a long time to find some peace Tim....unfortunately....

my kindest thoughts Tim and Happygoluckymiss

Paul

Managing mental health

geoff — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 18:17:12 GMT

hello Happygoluckymiss, as you have made this decision is certainly a step forward, but also a knowledge that there is help out there for you.

Psychologists can use their training to help you to gain your strength and combine these into your recovery, and it doesn't matter whether you cry, stall or think, all of this happens in the process.

All of this will impact on your thoughts, feelings and behaviours and please this is important, that it’s OK to not feel OK and you can feel comfortable saying I’m not OK, tell them if you want to, let the cat out of the bag.

The sessions you have maybe be very emotional, or you may talk about different emotions that have never been considered, so at the end of the session maybe different, happy, sad, confused or perplexed, but if you leave happy then once you step out into the real world you may feel as though you've hit a wall and suddenly fall into the black hole, this may only last a few minutes, this is what happened to me several times.

I was lucky as I was able to see my psychologist for 20 years, it was a Workcover case, so they paid for it, but there were times I was still a bit frightened to see her, that's only natural and very normal, but please if this happens, don't walk away.

Love to hear how you get on.

Geoff.

Managing mental health

Happygoluckymiss — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 19:48:56 GMT

Hello and a collective reply to all!

Thank you! This is great and all very appreciated. I am astounded at the level of responses and care this wonderful community has. So, a BIG thank you to you all.

I appreciate the encouragement and each of you sharing your experience and what’s in your tool box.

The initial appointment is via phone which is a perfect thing for me and if needed and when I will go face to face.

I thought I’d start small as from the reading I’ve done here and on mental health and wellness, starting small is always the best thing and more manageable.

I have a big presentation today - infrony of about 100 people to give and you know what’s funny - this talking infront of 100+ people in an auditorium is not stressing me out at all - funny how I our minds work!

I have my appointment after this - which I thought would be much better than having it before!

I’ll keep you updated after the appointment to let you know how I went !

- happygoluckymiss

Managing mental health

geoff — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 20:04:19 GMT

Hi Happy, talking in front of 100 people and not being nervous, 10 marks out of 10 and let us know how you get on.

Take care.

Geoff.

Managing mental health

Happygoluckymiss — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 23:29:07 GMT

Thank you Geoff!

This is so appreciated!

I’ve never had a problem speaking to an audience - but talking one on one with someone about me and my feelings- that’s a whole different story 😂😂😂

I will let you all know how it went after the presentation! Thank you again to this beautiful, caring community. It has saved me over the last little while

- happygoluckymiss

Managing mental health

Happygoluckymiss — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 03:20:28 GMT

HI all

as promised: the presentation was a resounding success 🙌🏼 So I am proud of myself and the audience was engaged and really loved it!

Thank you everyone

Managing mental health

Happygoluckymiss — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 08:54:34 GMT

A BIG THANK YOU

hello to everyone on this thread

I wanted to say thank you to everyone for your help.

I had my appointment with the psychologist this afternoon and it was extremely helpful. Only a few tears too - which I was surprised with as I am a crier.

I took the time to explain my feelings, behaviours and actions to my situation and then discussed why I felt like this and tools, tips and tricks to help with any future anxiety/panic attacks.

It reinforced that:

-i am a person who takes accountability for my actions (there’s been a few instances where I have not been proud and I owned it and am working through it and making amends for this)

- I am self aware and that I do realise the impact I have on people

- that I am kind and happy (most of the time)

- that my increasing anxiety and somewhat uncharacteristic behaviour has come through stress, trauma and hormone changes

- that i have experienced a very turbulent few months and that I need to learn to forgive myself

- that I can control me and my behaviour

- that I am in limbo but having hope and coupled with pushing forward my healing can be achieved simultaneously- it’s not black and white. There is some grey.

- I spoke about my BB family and how I have listened, read (with voracious intent!) the experiences of others and that I have a community of wonderful people who understand

- I am practicing breathing and mindfulness and that this is something she was happy with!

- improvement area: sleep hygiene and to create an action plan so if I feel like I will do something erratic to distract myself and thoughts.

I took advice from you and I have been writing my feelings down and letting this out.

I have another appointment on 2 weeks and I am proud of booking this in.

Thank you to each and everyone of you. You are my angels and guides in this journey.

- happygoluckymiss

Managing mental health

geoff — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 14:52:20 GMT

Hi Happy, it's something you should be very proud of because we are for you.

Try and make these two weeks to be eventful, reading over your comments here will help and jotting down questions you may want to ask your psychologist, even concerns and any doubts that seem to be troublesome.

Take care.

Geoff.