Need courage to ask for help

irishgirl · ‎26-07-2014

Hi, I feel like my mental health is getting worse by the day n im finding it harder to find reasons to fight anymore. I know i need to go to a GP and ask for help but I dont know how. I cant talk out loud about whats going on and afraid if I do Ill have a mental breakdown but also if i dont, I dont know how to continue. Need some adivce

beyondblue_Online_Communi · ‎26-07-2014

Hi there,

We are really glad that you have opened up here online. There are loads of people here who have had similar experiences and would like to help.
There is a helpline with Beyondblue that you can call 1300 224636, we can chat things through and help you find the right place to go for some extra support. Give us a bell.

We also hope that you find some support here on this webiste.

take care

White_Rose · ‎26-07-2014

Dear Irishgirl

Asking for help can be very difficult. If you feel anything like me, asking for help is embarrassing because it seems that you are a failure. While you are anxious and depressed your brain is not functioning properly. I'm sure you don't want to hear that because you believe you are acting rationally. But it's true as we have all found out.

This is the time to trust someone and get help. So trust us here on BB. We have been there so many times. Make an appointment with your GP and ask for a long appointment so that you have time to talk about everything, well some of your difficulties at least.

If you do not have a regular GP or you are not confident with your GP go to The Facts/Who can assist at the top of the page or Resources/Health professionals. Same result. Put in your postcode and find a GP in your area. These GPs have experience in mental health problems and will be able to assist you.

I frequently suggest to people that they write down their symptoms, feelings, thoughts etc before attending their appointments. That way you can refer to your paper without having to think about what to say. Trying to put into words your thoughts when you are already nervous can make you more nervous. So prepare ahead. The doctor will understand.

If you still cannot speak then just give the paper to the doctor to read. I have done this on several occasions and it makes life a bit easier. You do need help. We can give you support and hopefully some comfort. We cannot diagnose, prescribe medication or refer you to another mental health professional. The sort of help you need can be identified by the doctor.

So take a deep breath, put your shoulders back and get into that surgery. Remember everyone here on BB is behind you. Post back here as often as you can. We like to keep in touch.

Regards

LING

AGrace · ‎26-07-2014

Hi Irishgirl,

I'd love to second everything that LING has mentioned. There's no reason not to ask for help, it's one of your rights as a human being, and it's something you will do more than once in life. Most successful people worked with the help of others.

Sometimes when I go to my Dr I actually just take my diary and get them to read that. We write everything in journals, the good, the bad, and the ugly. It can give your Dr a really efficient resource to provide you with the support you need.

If you were standing in front of a friend right now who was really struggling, wouldn't you want her/him to get help? Treat yourself the way you would treat your best friend, with much love, kindness, and compassion...after all this is what you deserve.

I know that the BB moderators have also offered for you to contact them, if you don't feel comfortable yet to make a phone call, please use the webchat service which is available from 3pm - midnight every day.

Will you let us know what you decide, and how you get on?

AGrace

irishgirl · ‎27-07-2014

I went to the doctor today. Thanks for the encouragement. Hardest thing iv ever had to do and thought I would feel a huge relief but I dont. Doc asked me if i was suicidal and no immediately came out but dont think thats the truth. Suppose I was afraid he would call an ambulance and cart me off to hospital. Thank you for replying though. Hope your all doing ok x

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 224 636.

AGrace · ‎27-07-2014

Hi Irishgirl,

I'm pleased that you made this huge step. You don't always get relief on the first visit, nor do you always want to share everything on the first visit. Was the Doctor able to refer you to a therapist or prescribe you some medication?

I know the moderators have suggested for you to reach out if you are feeling suicidal. Please attend to this, it doesn't have to mean going into hospital, there are other options. You can have a CAT team (crisis assessment team) come out to you, you can call one of the call centres. The key is just to make sure you are safe.

AGrace

irishgirl · ‎30-07-2014

Hi AGrace,

I do feel safe, i think about how it would be better to not be here but I would not take my own life because iv had people in my life do that and seen the hurt it causes. Bevause im irish im not entitled to medicare so iv decided i need to go home and il get counselling there so the doc fave me anti depressants for the interim but was quite reluctant due to the system here and the mental health plan etc. to be honest I wouldnt have been able to talk about it anyway. I pretty much started ceying the minute i walked in the door and he said what can i do for you. Uh its a horrible feeling

tjank you for ur support though x

kai333 · ‎30-07-2014

Hey Irishgirl,

CONGRATULATIONS On going to see a doctor. That is the first and biggest step. I found it really hard to ask for help the first time. But after that it all got a lot smoother.

I think you've got to try and tell the doctor as much as possible. It's really important because the more you tell him/her the more they know about what's going on and what is the best thing to offer you medications/psychologist/psychiatrist/counsellor etc. Remember that everything with a doctor is confidential and they are there to help you and work in your best interest.

Your doctor asking you about suicide is a scary thing. But it's really important to have a conversation with someone about this. Whether it is your doctor or the guys here at the beyondblue hotline or other hotlines like lifeline. Remember that you are not alone and a lot of people both with and without depression have thoughts about suicide. Thinking about suicide doesn't mean there's anything wrong with a person, it's a symptom of things not going well. The important thing is to talk to someone about it and make sure that you are safe. I am probably going to be asked to contact the beyond blue website for this but I have had countless thoughts about suicide, but I know that it is a symptom of my depression and that just because I think about it doesn't mean that I will do it.

Keep it up! You have taken the first and hardest step: asking for help.

All the best,

Kai