Advice for Seeking Professional Help (Trigger Warning- Sexual Abuse, Self-Harm, and Suicidal Feelings)

[Chloe_M]

Hey guys,

My life at the moment is really complicated, so I'll keep it brief:

• My parents are extremely strict- they don't let me do anything, when my boyfriend (who was also my best friend) broke up with me, they didn't know
• I was touched inappropriately last year by someone who I had known for years (not a family member, a peer)
• I suffered from depression(?) after the breakup for about 5 or so months (I don't have a diagnosis because my parents didn't know)
• I have stopped now, but I had been self-harming for around 2-3 of those months
• A couple of weeks ago, the depression and anxiety was so bad that I wanted to kill myself
• I am always anxious- I have a constant feeling of dread in my stomach
• I have panic attacks frequently that sometimes are for no reason- these involves sweating, shaking, hyperventilating and crying
• I really hate germs and am kind of obsessed with washing my hair and sanitising my hands
• A lot of my 'friends' judge me and some of them bitch behind my back
• I find that my anxiety is not at the front of my mind when I dance or when I am on this forum helping others
• My ex and I are friends again, but some weeks he ghosts me and flirts with random girls, and some weeks he acts like my boyfriend again
• I have only recently 'come out' to my parents about being anxious all the time
• I am going to see the school counsellor on Monday
• My parents are going to take me to a GP and get a referral to see a psychologist

I would like some advice on how to talk to a counsellor/psychologist and some general info about confidentiality and stuff like that.

Thanks guys xx

Chloe_M

[Emmy.]

Hi Chloe. Sorry for not getting back to you earlier.

Re your GP appointment on Monday it’s understandable that you’re feeling nervous, but try to see the positive. It’s another step closer to you working on improving your mental health 🙂 Id imagine your GP session may be like the psychologist. You will probably be asked in on your own and then your Mum will come in or vice versa. But I’m sure you’ll have some one on one time alone with your GP. Make sure you tell them about the hair pulling. Yes a doctor can diagnose however I’ve found they normally leave it to the psychologist to do as they have more in depth knowledge.

How was it having your friends back today? Hopefully it was nice seeing them.

Sorry again for the delay in replying. Always have you in my thoughts though. Emmy xx

[Lici]

Hi Chloe,

I hope you don't mind me entering the conversation, I read your thread and just wanted to say that you're such a strong person!

I know what it's like to go through high school with mental illness and while I'm in my late 30s now, I just wanted to say that you're doing a lot better than you think! It takes a huge amount of courage to admit that there's a problem. When I was 16 I thought of suicide a lot. It seemed that everything that was happening was going to be forever. I got through it though, and while I still have issues, I'm almost glad that I had the experience with mental illness when I got older because it's given me a lot of self awareness and strength to be able to deal with whatever life throws at me.

You should be so proud of yourself Chloe! You'll get through your anxiety and depression and later on I'm sure you'll find that when things get tough in life you'll be able to say "meh, bring it on, I've been through worse!"

You really are an inspiration! I hope that your psych appointment goes well and that things start looking up for you soon. *hugs*

Kind regards,

Lici

[Chloe_M]

Hi Lici and Emmy,

Emmy thank you for that info on gp. It was great to have my friends back, missed them terribly haha. Excited to see them tomorrow.

Lici i don't mind at all! Thank you for your kind words, they mean a lot to me, trust me. Look forward to talking with you more xx

Do you have a thread? If you do whats it called?

x Chloe

[Lici]

Hi Chloe,

I have a thread in the anxiety forum called GAD diagnosis and one in the welcome area. Feel free to comment in either of them 🙂

I hope you had a good day!

Lici

[startingnew]

Hi Chloe, your post to me mustve popped up after my morning msg to you this morning.

ah ok that makes sense, no worries we are good at deciphering things and if not we ask, no harm done 🙂

Grandy has given some good suggestions as well to help with your hair pulling but i also like yours, tying your hair back kinda is like outta sight outta mind and keeping your hands busy are both good ways.

sounds like despite the panic today, it was rather good. im glad your friends are back too. im sure youve got plenty to talk about now. i hope tomorrow is a good one for you.

[startingnew]

hi chloe i wrote you a post but its not up as yet

[Chloe_M]

HI starts,

Today was okay I guess, however panicked quite a bit today, also hallucinations again 😞

aaahhh just had a laughing fit thanks to my best friend and his funny antics. turns out to be an okay day now 🙂

x chloe

[startingnew]

HI Chloe

good to see you laughing.

when you start to notice yourself getting panicy, remember to breathe and remember a strategy or 2. have you considered making like a coping strategies keyring? each palm card has a different coping strategy, laminate them and then hole punch and attacks to like a key ring.

[Chloe_M]

That's a really good idea starts, I will definetly try that.

yes I feel much lighter than I did before. But the fact that he has a new girlfriend erases that light feeling.

Oh well

what will be will be right 😢 one door has closed but another has opened.

Chloe

[Emmy.]

Hi Chloe. Loving SN’s idea to make a coping strategies keyring. Might make one too! Sorry to read about the hallucinations. Make sure you tell this to your GP on Monday. Do they happen often? Do you have anything planned for your weekend? something fun with your friends perhaps. Emmy xx