Do ‘Wellness” retreats help?

[TTTJJJ]

Hi there,

im not sure if I’m stressed, depressed or something else but i am having a tough time coping at present and had a complete meltdown yesterday. Doc says medication wont help, and referred me to a psychologist. Honestly i think i would be better talking to the staff at the supermarket checkout for all the help she was - 2 sessions, had a chat, showed me an app for ‘minfulness’ - i really don’t think that she was of any use at all. The mindfulness is a good start, but now i have the app what do i need a psych for?

my partner is at a loss to help me either, and wants to send me away to a ‘wellness’ retreat next week. I appreciate that these things cost a lot of money and not everyone is able to afford that so i feel lucky that i can have such an opportunity, but i am questioning whether i will get any benefit. Maybe I’m better off taking a week off work and booking as many massage and yoga classes as i can locally instead.

does anyone have any experience with these type of retreats? Can they help when you are at the point of full meltdown, or are they just for busy people who need an excuse for a few days off? What if i have another meltdown while i’m Away, then i wont have my partner there to hug me, and I don’t think they offer that level of care at these wellness retreats. 

any opinions or personal feedback is much appreciated 🙂

[PamelaR]

Hi TTTJJJ and welcome to our community forums

Having a meltdown is the pits isn't it? You sound like things are very difficult for you at the moment. To be truly honest, I'm not sure a 'wellness retreat' would suit everyone, especially if one is having a meltdown. From my perspective, it would be good to go at the end when the body is spent and needs rejuvenating.

It's unfortunate the psych you've been seeing has only given you a mindfulness app. There is so much work to do during the discovery time, i.e. what's happened or what's triggered the meltdown, then how to heal and mend the damage. There are so many different methods that psychologists use.

From my own personal experience - not all psych fit everyone's needs. I've returned to my doctor and said it didn't work that I wanted a referral to someone else. My gp was extremely supportive, so no troubles getting a new referral. My current psych is excellent.

You know, talking to people in supermarkets is okay. Don't tell anyone, but I do that all the time. They don't know who you are, sometimes they do listen and sometimes that's all we need someone to listen. They don't have to have the answers. Having said that, if it were me I'd get referred to another psych. They do have so many tools in their toolboxes that help people get better. It all takes time and it's not always smooth going. But believe me, at the end, I was asking myself - why didn't I do this sooner.

BTW - it's okay to have meltdowns. Obviously something has happened for you to be where you are.

If you want more help, do a search in our website search field located at the top of the page for keywords, e.g. anxiety, depression. There is a checklist if you're interested, so add checklist to the keywords. Feel free to join discussions that relate to similar situations that interest you.

Hope some of this helps TTTJJJ.

Kind regards

PamelaR

[geoff]

Hello TTTJJJ, I'm sorry to hear that you've had a meltdown, there couldn't be anything worse as it seems to draw out for quite away if not treated.

I would be finding another GP and then be referred to a new psychologist because you can't overcome this by yourself, you maybe able to stop any peripheral issues, but it's not these that are causing your meltdown, it's problems that are too difficult to face that cause all of this.

I agree with PamelaR that visiting a 'well-ness retreat' now is only going to take you away from your present situation, but as soon as you return home, it's all going to come back again, so going after you have recuperated you will then be able to gain your strength once again.

This, however, shouldn't be a reason to stop your medication as well as seeing your psychologist.

There has to be a proper way to help you with this meltdown, we can't just chop and change what we do, hoping for a recovery and once you get better, it's a good idea to continue on with your medical help.

Hope this helps you.

Geoff.