Please help

[cetch]

Hi. I'm so depressed and today crying whole time wanting end my life..im on an SSRI. I feel I'm going nowhere. been off work as a teacher for two months. Been hospitalised recently.went to see a clinical psychologist which basically told me go on workers comp. for me that is not the solution.i want strategies to cope with my negative thoughts and give me confidence again.Please can anyone give me advice or can recommend a good clinical psychologist in Perth.I feel like such a failure .My life was good before this and now I can't cope.

[geoff]

dear Cetch, I just wish that we could welcome you in a better situation, but you need help and need it straight away.

How we hate this illness, because depression just destroys everything we try and accomplish, it gives us no option but to trouble us through life, work, friends, relationships and anything that once we enjoyed has now gone.

There is always that thought that we have failed, but we certainly haven't, we never ever wanted this illness, we were the unlucky one that this illness passed our way and then stuck to us.

We tried everything to overcome this by ourselves, but it was much too strong to even shake it off.

I'm sorry but I live in country Melbourne, but what I suggest is to ring 'web chat' and talk to those who would know of who you can contact.

Another suggestion is to contact your doctor and discuss the SSRI medication and see what they think about changing it to a SNRI, as sometimes the change will be able to help you, as the current medication is not helping you at all.

Even if you decided to go onto workers comp. then this still leaves you the way you are and it's not necessarily going to achieve anything, because the depression will still be there.

I hope that you can get someone who can understand what you are going through, because all of us know this awful feeling. Geoff.

[Chris_B]

Hi cetch

Thanks for posting to the beyondblue community forums. We're sorry that you're going through such a difficult time at the moment and glad that you're reaching out for support here. We're sure that other forum members will have lots of support and advice to offer, however just wanted to get in touch about some additional support options given that you're trying to manage suicidal thoughts at the moment.

We wonder if it would be helpful to go back to your psychologist and let them know about your goals for coping with negative thoughts and getting confidence again? If you feel like changing to someone would be more helpful you could try using the beyondblue practitioner directory ('get support' menu at the top left of the page, choose 'find a professional' from the drop-down list). Your GP should also be able to assist you with reviewing medication and referrals for support.

If you need more immediate support, we'd encourage you to get in touch via the beyondblue 24 hour telephone support line 1300 22 4636. you could also try web chat 4- 10pm daily using the link at the top right of the page.

Take care and please remember that with the right support things can get better. Please keep in touch via the forums and let us know how you're getting on.

best
CB

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Online Community Manager

[Stephen123]

Hi Cetch, please hang in there and don,t give up hope. This is a very fragile time. You are doing the right thing though. Finding a good clinical psychologist is the way to go, if you have been hospitalised I think we are talking about a serious situation here and I would also suggest finding a good psychiatrist. I have been hospitalised 4 times and I have a psychiatrist, a clinical psychologist and a brilliant gp looking after me. This team has seen me through some very difficult times. If you can access your health insurance if you have it. 

You are right in being synical about workers comp. they send you to all sorts of independent medical examinations to work out if the injury was work related or not, very stressful.

one thing I would suggest you do above all else is when you find a psychologist you trust unload everything you possibly can onto them. My wife is a teacher, I know that it is a very stressful demanding job.

i have worked for a government department for 18 years, I was bullied and worked over. As I,ve said I,ve been hospitalised with psychosis and I,ve been through the trials and tribulations of the nsw workers comp system. I would be prepared to answer any question you might have of me Cetch in the hope that I could help a fellow traveller in some way.