Seeing a psychologist isnt really working

[pawsy]

I hoped that seeing a psychologist would slowly but surely steer me out of depression and isolation, and back into the world of social contact and proper employment again. I have been seeing a psychologist for 18 months now and while it has been an enormous relief to tell someone what has been going on inside me, and feeling the hurt and painful feelings instead of just pushing them aside as I do with other people, i'm not actually getting out of my isolation or feelings of fear and unconfidence. It's just that im telling someone and they are being kind about it. In some ways I feel further away from meaningful social contact than I did before. Not that the psychologist has made things worse, just that talking about my sadness doesnt change the conditions that make me sad: unemployment, loneliness, parents dying. How can i ever get better? Will i ever be happy in the world again, make new friends, feel valued again? Or will it always be this now ... for the next how long? 40 years? Fearful, withdrawn, worthless. How is everyone else going? Is there anyone who got very socially isolated, who has found a way back to contact with others? Id be so grateful if someone has ... and could share how it happened.

best wishes, pawsy

[IsaJett]

Hi pawsy

I just wanted to tell you ...YES that there is so much hope for recovery . I can’t believe it that I’m saying to you now as I too hit a brick wall and it was pitch dark . As much a I know it be part of me ..my depression ...it’s just in my peripheral version now . I have done so much and come so far ...so YES there is light at the end of the tunnel . I remember thinking I was gonna be in the pits forever , but in hindsight I realise that it was often me that stood in my own way .

this is my experience and I hope by sharing ...it could help you .

i just had this constant negative voice in my head that said I couldn’t do it ...that I never be anything etc ...and so I mopped around ... a lot ......and I blame everything else .my ex husnabd ..my depression ...my something something... blah blah the list goes on ...but u get the idea ..until I slowly started just working on myself ...almost altering my internal voice ...telling myself i can do it instead of I cannot .

take small steps ...first beware of negative thoughts first ...and then flip it around .it can be something so simple ...and practice makes perfect .

good luck with it and keep me posted ...keep writing 🙂

[pawsy]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate your thoughtful responses. I know there is no magic bullet, and I have to do the work.

[DannyG]

@IsaJett your post wasnt a reply to me but im having a bad time ATM and i found it really helpful thank you:)

[blondguy]

Hello DannyG

Im sorry that you are having a bad time at the moment....

I hope you can write your own thread topic about what you are going through Danny as you will have the replies of support you require...especially in this difficult time

If you are stuck there are many understanding members that can be on the forums for you 🙂

This thread by Pawsy wont be very helpful as its been inactive for a while now

I will keep my eye out for you Danny...I hope you can stick around

my kind thoughts

Paul