What happened doesn't have to define me

[Mia001]

Hi everyone!

I'm new here. Not really sure what to do. Where do I start? Any suggestions?

Mia

[White_Rose]

Hello Mia

A quick word. Good to see you are working on your list. Don't worry about prioritising at this stage. You will drive yourself nuts working out the items for the list and trying to prioritise at the same time. Just get it all down. Decide on priorities with your psych at your next meeting.

Mary

[Guest_9809]

Hi Mia, well its Sunday night already. How was your weekend? No doubt you enjoyed the time spent with family, including Sundara. (-:

Couple of things Mia, firstly with medications it will need to be prescribed by either your GP, or else be referred to a psychiatrist. So be prepared for that. A psychologist or a counsellor do not have the ability to prescribe meds.

The option of going through Community Health to see someone who specialises in sexual abuse is a reasonable idea I think. Not silly at all. Obviously cost effective! But it will mean going through everything again with a new person. Do you know if the person is a clinical psychologist, a psychologist or a counsellor? Just be aware that counsellors may not be able to conduct some of the therapies that a clinical psych is qualified to do. So you may be limiting yourself somewhat on that score. Do you know what you current psych specialises in? Most psychs like to advertise that they specialise or like to work with certain MH issues, and I am wondering if the one you've been seeing has any experience with sexual abuse. I gather from your comment that she doesnt.

You are spot on in that you do need to find someone that you are comfortable with and click with before you will get the maximum benefit from any treatment. I was really lucky with mine, but I accept most people are not.

Great news about the new haircut, it makes you feel good doesnt it. I hope you can arrange to catch up with your best friend in the upcoming week.

Keep going with the notes, just get your thoughts down on paper. Mary's right ... the order is secondary. Your notes will be very helpful whether you decide to stick with your psychologist or switch to the Community Health option. You are entitled to change you mind you know. Its a big thing what you are going through, ideally everything needs to be right. Do whatever you need to, to give yourself the best chance.

Have a good week Mia, and I will check in with you again soon.

Taurus xx

[Mia001]

Hi Taurus,

My weekend was not to bad. I'm still struggling with a lack of motivation though. I just want to stay in bed all day. Which is basically what I did on Sunday. I skipped work yesterday because I was stressing out, and just spent the day at my friend's place so I didn't have to be alone.

Yes, I know they can't prescribe meds. 💊 What's the difference between between a GP and a psychiatrist when prescribing meds?

Community Health should get back to me by tomorrow. If they don't I'll probably go in and see them. I'm not sure, but I think they're counsellors. I don't think my current psych specialises in anything. She said she's had experience with sexual abuse. I just feel like she's not really paying attention or she doesn't know what to do.

I had some good news today. I passed my OET test! 2 A's, 2 B's. I'm so 😁 happy. I honestly thought that I had failed it, getting the results is such a relief. At least now I know I'm all ready to start my TAFE next year, all I have to do is get my head sorted out. Oh, and get my P's before the end of the year hopefully.

Anyway, I'll talk to you later. Hope you had a good weekend! If you don't mind me asking, how's your mum going? Is she out of hospital yet?

(hugs)

Mia

[Guest_9809]

Hi Mia ........... yay congratulations on your OET results! I know you were not confident, but cannot understand why when you look at your eventual results. Very well done. So your career is now all mapped out.

The main difference with meds being described by your GP as opposed to a psychiatrist, is that the psychiatrist is a specialist in the field, for any MH condition and associated medication. As in all things, your GP is across all conditions physical and mental, but is not a specialist of any. When you speak to your GP, its possible he may refer you to a psychiatrist to prescribe meds anyway. But lets just wait and see.

Anyway your next step is to get your licence, so here's hoping for lots of experience at driving between now and the end of the year. You're on a roll, so things are looking good.

My weekend was uneventful. Thanks for asking - my Mum was allowed home from hospital on Friday after spending an additional week in hospital. She saw her surgeon today in a followup to her surgery. Surgical wounds all healing well. As the 7cm tumour was moderately agressive in nature and had invaded the lymph glands, he advises follow up radiation or a trial immunotherapy treatment.

A congratulatory hug back to you Mia.

Taurus xx

[White_Rose]

Hello Mia

Congratulations on your test result. Taurus is right about the difference between a GP and a psychiatrist in prescribing medication. My GP prescribed my AD and when I started seeing the psychiatrist she must have been OK with the prescription. If there are problems with meds then it's best to see a psychiatrist who is an expert in this field as Taurus said.

It's a good idea to be with someone when you feel unwell. Just talking about anything is great and helps you to relax. Just realised how late it's getting and I must be out of the house early.

Mary

[Guest_9809]

Hi Mia, I hope your week is going well?

I'm here now because I wanted to let you know that I am taking a break from the Forums and will not be around to offer you my support for some time. But I go away happy in the knowledge that Mary and James will take good care of you.

I really hope everything goes well for you Mia. You are one very brave young lady, and I know you will do well in life. My kindest thoughts go with you. And even if I may not be here in reality, my thoughts will definitely be with you.

All the best to you. A big farewell hug. {{ Mia }}

Taurus xx

[Mia001]

Hi Taurus,

Yeah, my week has been ok. Community Health contacted me again and said a counsellor should get in touch with me sometime next week. It looks like everything (hopefully!) is falling into place.

I will miss you on the forums. Thank you so much for being here for me. I think you are an amazing and caring lady, talking with you has been a pleasure.

Wishing you all the best for your future, and I will be thinking of you and your mum. Take care of yourself.

A big hug from Mia

[White_Rose]

Hello Mia

It's sad that Taurus has left us, hopefully not forever. I hope we, James and me, can support you as much as Taurus did.

It's great you are going to see a counsellor. Yes, the ducks are falling in line. How is your motivation? Doing nothing can sometimes feel like the only option you want. You then have to push yourself to at least get out of bed and dressed plus one activity even if it is simply washing the dishes. It can become a habit to do nothing as I'm sure you have found out.

I hope you will continue to write in.

Mary

[Mia001]

Hi Mary,

Yeah, it is sad that Taurus is leaving. She didn't really say why but I know that she's had a lot going on lately. I think maybe she just needs a break to sort things out.

My motivation is a bit better. When the abuse was happening I was like this. I depressed, and not taking care of myself or eating enough etc,. I promised myself that I would never do that again. That's partly what keeps me going. I know this won't last forever, and this time I have support. I don't have to do it alone. I hang on to the hope that one day I'm going to be okay again. I've come such a long way from the shy scared little kid I used to be. I know I can do this, and I'm going to give myself the best possible chance, by getting as many people on board as I can, because right now I need to know that there will always be someone there when I need them.

I find ways around my lack of motivation. I try and make meals easy and quick, I get my work clothes out the night before etc,. I also set rules like I have to have to shower every day, eat before a shift, and no skipping meals! This mostly works because I don't like breaking rules, so I procrastinate, but eventually I'll do it.

I'm home at the moment which is nice. I went to a social at our local hall last night so I got to catch up with some of my friends I hadn't seen in a while.

How's your week been? Do anything interesting?

It's nearly 7am now so I'd better get out of bed soon!

Mia

[White_Rose]

Hello Mia

It always surprises me when someone says they are writing to BB while in bed. Maybe I'm too old to change my ways. And of course having a laptop helps.

It is wonderful that you are feeling better and even more so as you made some simple rules that will help you to stay in the moment. And although the tasks are not huge sometimes it can feel as though you are climbing a mountain. This is where your rules came into their own.

Great positives in your post. I try and make meals easy and quick. I've come such a long way from the shy scared little kid I used to be. I'm going to give myself the best possible chance, by getting as many people on board as I can. These are all so enabling for you. It gives you a reason to get out of bed in the morning.

I know this won't last forever, and this time I have support. I don't have to do it alone. This is such an important thought to hang on to. Take all the help you can. As you get stronger your support people will not be as needed as before and you will find yourself making decisions and going place that you never thought would happen. The day you realise this will be so marvellous. Climbing that wretched mountain and getting to the top, what a buzz.

Catching up with friends is something I enjoy. I do this regularly and always wish we could meet more. Trouble is all the other stuff we cram into our lives. My week has been complex with lots of food for thought. Now all I want is a couple of weeks to process the whole thing. Not a huge problem but I think it is one I can manage best by doing lots of other things while my thoughts simmer on the back burner.

Mary