Why

[Oneofakind]

Why is day to day living and doing normal things so hard.  Why do I have to struggle to be ok at work, and then just collapse mentally after.  Why can't I like myself.? Why can't I be happy.?why do I worry about what people may think of me. Why can't I be strong. Why do I always feel so inferior to everyone else. Why can't I take stress. Why a mime

[Snoman]

Hi Oneofakind,

I think that at the moment, society does not give people the life skills, or mental skills that we need. This is definitely not a failing in you.

I am guessing that you are here because you at least suspect you have depression or anxiety. Have you been properly diagnosed? If not, I would urge you to go see your GP. There are links at the top to help you find a GP in your area that has an interest in mental health.  There is also lots of information about depression. Learning more about the illness can only help your recovery.

Sno

[Zoe__lt_3]

Hi there,

Sno is right, you need to stop for a minute and start to learn more about what may be affecting you. Maybe by talking to a GP and/ or therapist, you can start discussing what’s going on in your world and gain insights, rather than the “why, why, why?” merry-go-round that depression or anxiety can cause us. Stop asking yourself questions that only lead to dark answers if you can, and start talking to people who might be able to help you find the path to feeling better about yourself and your future.  

Good luck, best wishes.

Zoe x

[Oneofakind]

You guessed right.  I have suffered from depression and been on meds for about 15 years now.  However I seem to have anxiety and stress issues as we'll now.  I have seen psychologists from time to time, but I seem to feel so much better after a few visits, so I stop.  Within a few months however I am back to square one.  I also find the cost doesn't help either.  Unfortunately most days aren't good anymore,  I can increase my dose of antidepressants but, when I do they make me feel a bit vague, and so that puts me off.  In my work I have to be alert and switched on, however I have cut back my hours now, to give me more time to pursue other interests. At least this was my husbands suggestion, but I struggle to do much, although I do have a group I go to twice a month.  I never want to go, but when I get there I am glad I went. But I feel guilty that I am not out working, and contributing as much financially.  Soot is a double edged sword.

[AGrace]

Hi Oneofakind,

I hear all too often that people see a Therapist for a while, start to feel better and then stop going. Given that you have been suffering so long, some long term therapy might be more beneficial. When you start to feel ok, this is the point where you practice the skills you have learned, so that when you hit a crisis point again the skills come more naturally to you.

In terms of cost, has your GP ever provided you with a mental health care plan? This enables you to receive 10 free Psychology sessions and can be reviewed at the end. There are also free counselling sessions and therapy groups run by local community mental health services. It might be worthwhile you looking into your closest centre.

What sorts of hobbies/interests are you trying to pursue? Maybe rather than adding to your activity basket, which already seems overwhelming for you, you could use this time to get some really good professional support?

If anxiety is kicking in, you may need to add in an antispsychotic rather than increasing the dose of your antidepressant. When do you see your GP next?

Look forward to hearing more from you. I hope that you are finding the forums a safe place to vent and seek support.

AGrace

[Oneofakind]

The state I'm from, if you have a mental health care plan, you get 10 subsidised visits, which means you pay the lot up front on the day and get back some through Medicare, but you still pay a big chunk.  I have changed doctors recently and haven't had a long talk with new gp as to the state of my mental health.  I do lots of different crafts my pastime, as well as reading and crosswords. I find all three helps me to forget myself and my worries, as it changes my focus. However your advice has helped me AGrace, and I will give it some thought.  Thank youThank you

[Snoman]

Hey Oneofakind,

I have also had to pay my therapist before I get some back from medicare.  We chose this particular psychologist even though we knew he charged above the medicare rebate.  There are others that bulk bill.  Perhaps you could ask your GP if they know of any.

I agree with AGrace.  It is better to stick with your therapists advice on when best to stop going.  If you trust your therapist (and I really hope you have one you do trust), then trust that they know more about recovery than you and can best tell when you are ready to stop.

On my ninth session, my psychologist wanted me to attend the tenth and ideally one more.  I felt like the tenth would be unnecessary as I was doing so well.  I went anyway and left feeling glad I did.  Despite that I feel even better now, I am looking forward to our final "wrap up" session.

The other thing my psych said to me was just as you would expect to accomplish less when you have a bad 'flu, you need to do the same when you have depression.  You still have to do your important tasks, just not everything all at once.

Sno

[geoff]

dear Oneofakind, so proud of you for wanting to post your own concerns as it's never easy to admit to people you don't know on how you feel.

It's not easy to have to pay up front because so many people are on a very limited budget, or a government payment, so there is a temptation that when you feel better is not to go and see your psych.

This also happens when people are feeling much better that they feel as though they don't need to take their AD's any more, which is actually wrong, because in the long run they start to feel depressed again, so the process has to start again.

It doesn't matter whether you are feeling much better because the medication and counselling are doing this for you, so it's not wise to stop either, especially the medication.

When we have a session with our psych we can come out of it feeling much better, and that's great, so the session has helped you, but really that should not stop you from still going, because our lives can change at any time, like we could be good for a couple of days but all of a sudden it changes so it fluctuates so much.

Amber is right if your anxiety has increased then you need to have your doctor prescribe some antipsychotic medication, and please don't be put off by this term.

Please let us know how you get on. Geoff.