What can a Psychologist really do for you?

[Sam42]

Hey Guys,

I've have been struggling with debilitating anxiety for a while and had a few bouts of depression as well. I've posted on here before and the support has been great. I was hoping to ask for some more advice as it's been almost a year since then. I have been to see my GP a few times and I've seen a psychologist once (Until COVID happened and I haven't been able to go back). Currently, they have opened back up and before I talked myself out of it again, I book another appt for late August. My anxiety has gotten to a point where it's affecting my everyday life and ability to live (for a while now if I'm honest) and I feel as though I stuck in a sort of limbo in wanting to move forward, but not being able to on my own. Recently, I've had to open up to my parents which has been difficult but necessary. My mum has been trying to occupy my time, get me moving rather than dwelling and trying to provide some purpose, which has been good. But I feel like I've just gone as far as I can with just that, and I'm still not able to move forward in my life. I'm on a leave of absence from uni as it was getting to be too much for me. the deadline is running out on this and I don't know if it would be the right decision to return or not or even to try a new path. It was taking a significant toll on my mental health and I was becoming incredibly frustrated and disappointed in myself - I struggled to concentrate, focus and retain information. Also, myself self-discipline and motivation were almost nonexistent - only the pressure of deadlines was enough to get me to get any work done.

So, my question is what can a Psychologist really (and practically) do for you? I really just wish and need to get myself back to a point where even if I am still struggling with my anxiety and can manage most aspects of day-to-day adult life.

Also, if any of you guys with similar issues may have some advice on how to cope and manage to work or study (especially from home) any advice would be appreciated. It is incredibly difficult and disheartening to struggle with every small thing and to work and study so hard only to come out the other side feeling as though you remember nothing.

Thank you all in advance.

[Avichi]

Hi Sam,

I am sorry to hear you are going through a tough time. I have personally found my experiences with Phycologists to be a little frustrating as I find my internal dialog questioning their skill set as much as they are questioning my sanity... 🙂 For me the best source of talk therapy have been loved ones.. Whilst it can be difficult being vulnerable to those around you it can also be liberating.

As for ways to manage with work and study, try an plan your days in bite size pieces with exercise and meditation being your first task of the day.

Not all days will be 10's and that's ok..

[golden82]

Hi Sam,

Re a psychologist .. it is good you have been proactive in going to gp and getting a psychologist. You should be able to access 10 apts a year bulk billed under medicare. But make sure the psychologist is helping you and moving forward. If not change and keep changing until you find one that is helping you.

Unfortunately my experience with psychologists have been useless. I have only seen a couple but my current one for over 4yrs and it is just a chat which is not helping. I am like you .. i want some getting better. It is my own fault though i kept going thinking i was the problem. No, she was ineffective. Only now i am trying to find another after 4 yrs of time wasting. So what i suggest is that maybe go to a few with this psychologist and ask them what they can offer you and tell them what your goals of therapy are and then after a few sessions evaluate if you think you are making progress.. if not go back to gp for a new one. Keep repeating if need be. There are some trained in certain techniques such as cbt, dbt, act. Or even hypnotherapy etc. Maybe read up on the treatment techniques and see if you think one might suit you and see if your psychologist does this. For anxiety most of those modalities 'work' it is more up to what works better for you.

I don't have much faith in psychologists etc though and agree with Avichi that your family and friends can be a great help too. I do not have that myself but have done a lot of self directed learning online eg cbt modules etc to try help myself and have got much more myself than from the psychologist.

Perhaps you could also talk to someone at your uni. Re anxiety and also your study course in general. All the best with it 🙂

[geoff]

Hello Sam, I've read your comment with great interest because there are a couple of points you've made that have drawn my attention, although I'm not qualified to say, but understand along with Avichi and Golden82.

It's easy to make an appointment in advance but as the time approaches for some it can't be soon enough, while for others they may get itchy feet and decide not to go, and in making this point, it's important you ask a friend just to come with you or another way that suits you to overcome this.

If you take an absence from uni as you have, and precautious about the time ending before you return, then can I ask you a question, 'is this course the one you want to do' and if you can try and push your anxiety to one side, sorry it's not easy, but remember you can always come back to it at a later date, but your health is the main priority.

People do get a masters or a degree in a course that they eventually don't pursue, that's their decision, but more importantly, feel happy in doing so.

Will return to answer your thread title.

Geoff.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Sam42,

Thank you for your post and what a good question.

I'd love to try and answer it but it's a complex one, because it depends on the psychologist as everyone has different approaches. CBT and ACT are generally the two most common (and evidence-based) therapies so I'll try and share more about those.

CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. This focuses on the relationship between your thoughts - your feelings and your behaviour. A very basic example is "I failed my exam, I'm so stupid I'll just give up" - unpacking that internal dialogue and some of those automatic thoughts can change the way that we think that changes the way we behave. It can also include things like "exposure therapy" (doing scary things) and "behavioural activation" (doing things you enjoy).

ACT stands for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Instead of unpacking that dialogue like CBT, it works to have what's called "psychological flexibility" so we are not stuck. The aim is to accept those negative thoughts and feelings as they are without trying to change them. It helps to create some distance from the thought, so instead of being all stuck in anxiety, it's just letting those thoughts and feelings be there without trying to change it all. It can also include thinking about your goals and the future you'd like to have and working towards it. Some of the techniques include things like breathing techniques, visualisations and mindfulness.

I hope this helps. When you see your psychologist again you can ask these sorts of questions to get a better idea of what your therapy might look like.

rt