why do they make it so logistically hard???

[MrsCam]

The section for posting re bipolar has disappeared so I am back in this forum.

have been struggling badly with the depressive side of my bipolar2 recently. Had a video link session with my counsellor yesterday who suggested I call my psychiatrist for a discussion re possibly adjusting my medication dose. Called his rooms  but no he cant discuss it with me on the phone I have to go in. I live 1500km from perth, its not that easy to just drop in. So I called PATS to find out if I would be eligible for assistance for the airfare, (which thank god I am  ) they just need a letter from the doctors office confirming my appointment. Had to beg with the doctors receptionist to email me that then I had to forward it to PATS with a request for what flight I want them to book me on...

Ive managed so far to do it all but far out, when all you want is for the world to end having to deal with this bureaucratic stuff is just a nightmare.. I was in tears on the phone and the receptionist at the psychs office just said "we cant help you till you come to perth. Call us back when you know when that will be" and hung up on me so Im really enthused about going in there on monday... and the books my psych told me to get I cant even understand what they on about so thats gonna go over real well when he finds out I havent done them. He is big on the whole noone can help me if Im not helping myself thing and Im pretty sure failing to do the workbooks will be considered me not helping myself...

so over it. Wanted to hurt myself this morning but Im too gutless to go through with it.

my hubby came home from work when I told him that but I wish he would go back cos he is not actually speaking to me and I had to cry and beg just to get a cuddle which made me feel pathetic. I understand he has had enough, so have I

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 22 4636.

 

[White_Rose]

Dear Mrs Cam

I am so sorry that you are having such a bad time.  I know nothing about Bipolar so I cannot comment on it.  But I do feel for you re your psychiatrist. What a miserable person.  I find that receptionists tend to follow the example of their doctors in the way they treat patients.  How ridiculous not to discuss your medication on the phone. This is bureaucracy gone mad as you say.

I don't know how long you have been seeing this psych, but is it possible to see a different psych? Someone with a bit more compassion and common sense. Giving you books to read can be a good thing, but only if you can understand them. Tough love is all very well in  its place, but not when the task is too hard.

I do hope you get to see him soon and get your medication reviewed. Perhaps you will start to feel better and get on better with your spouse.

All the best.

Mary

[MrsCam]

Thanks Mary.

Im seeing him on monday. Ive only met him a couple of times, he was the Dr on duty when I was admitted to Perth Clinic earlier this year.

My hubby called our local hospital as the email I recieved from bb after I made this post suggested that might be helpful. They gave him a number to call in Karratha but that is over 3 hours drive away so I really see no point in calling there.

I guess I just have to suck it up and continue on as usual.

[MrsCam]

Sick of hearing that it will get better.

heard from the doctor on call at Tom Price hospital last night, have been hearing it from my hubby and heard it from 2 of my friends in the last 24 hours.

what they all conveniently ignore is that even if I do feel better for a bit I will without a doubt feel worse again, either next week or next month or next year. Dont know when but I know it will happen. Its the only thing that is a certainty in this screwed up life of mine.

Ive had enough and I want out

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 22 4636.

 

[MrsCam]

Flying to Perth this evening and will see the psychiatrist in the morning. Dont really see a point but if thats what my hubby & gp say I should do then I guess I will go along with it.

nervous of seeing the psych

[White_Rose]

Good luck!

Thinking of you.

Mary

[Jo3]

Hi Mrs Cam

 I just want to say that I will be thinking of you tomorrow when you see this psych.  Good luck with everything, hope things get better for you soon.

Take care, let us know how you go

Jo xx

[MrsCam]

Im in Perth Clinic again.

my psych says that medically Im fine I just have a personality problem so I need to change that.

I am starting dbt classes on monday. I was sent home with books about dbt last time but one of them I couldnt understand anything. It does say in the first chapter it is a guide for therapists so to be honest Im not even sure why I was told to get it. The other book I sort of understood.

getting a bit frustrated with being told "dont be scared" and "dont stress". Cos thats so easy.

my husband is going home tomorrow and he & my mum have organized for her to fly over from Victoria  and stay in Perth for the duration of my stay. I was soooo peeed off with them both for doing that behind my back. My psych says that when im destressed I revert to being a child and that is something I have to change and hubby knows that so them arranging this without consulting me doesnt really fit with that. Told them both off which made me feel a bit better. Have also told my mum that sometimes I might not want company so I might just tell her to leave even if it is visiting hours.

my hubby is picking me up today and we are going to the shops for a bit. I guess that might b ok.

When I saw my psych on thursday he said he would see me on the ward friday but that didnt happen. Was the same last time I was here, only seen the guy 3 times in 2 weeks. Other patients talk about seeing their doctor everyday so I dont know if I would b better to ask to see another psych. Was thinking of calling my gp in tom price on monday and asking him what he thinks....

anyways thats the latest on me. Still not convinced this life is worth living but no one thinks im serious about that anyway so no point in telling them thats how I feel

[geoff]

dear Mrs. Cam,I am so sorry I haven't replied back to you on this post, but I just can't understand what your psych is thinking, how on earth can he ever treat a patient like this, it's highly unprofessional, and not advised to do to someone who has a mental problem, his ethics are certainly unwarranted, and I know what I would be saying back to him, but it wouldn't pass the Moderators.

I would by all means speak to your GP and request another psych, and whether you want to change to seeing a psychologist would be on the cards.

Your hubby and your mum may have thought that they had the right idea by organising the appointment behind your back, but in this case no, plus I don't think that it's appropriate driving several hours just to visit a psych, for a couple of reasons, the appointment is not long enough; the session may not go well; and the drive is where your mind will be ticking over going from feeling OK, if that's possible at the moment to then going into a deep depressed state.

You won't even begin to get any better if you don't click with your psych, so please let us know what you think. L Geoff. x

[White_Rose]

Dear Mrs Cam

Not sure whether to congratulate you or not. You have such mixed feelings about being in hospital again. I do understand your frustration about others organising your life. I think I would be cross about it as well.

It does seem that your psychiatrist has a bit of a come day, go day, attitude towards his patients. Perhaps it would be a good idea to consult your GP.

It's very hard when you do not have the resources to manage your everyday living. This can make you feel that life is not worth living. However, it would be nice if someone would recognise that your comments are more about your fear and uncertainty of the future and the desire to have some certainty. Unfortunately, leaving this life does not give you the option of getting well again. And if you, your psych and your family can work together the outcome could be really wonderful.

It is my belief that no matter how good the psych is, if the relationship does not work you need to change. And actually I think that if the psych is really good at the job he/she will make the relationship work. Perhaps I am a bit harsh but they are supposed to be the experts and you are the one asking for help. I know it's not a one-way street and you need to do the best you can. However, relatively small things like popping in to see you everyday is surely a basic care task.

Please try and remain as positive as possible. Easy for me to say I know. Get as much information as possible and ways of managing as you can. Perhaps write down all this stuff in a way that you understand and re-read later. Then you will have something concrete to take home with you.

I hope you are able to write in again soon.

Mary