Struggling to get help

[Doolhof]

I know this is a place where we are supposed to encourage and support each other, to offer suggestions of where help may be received and to try to be positive in our experiences of reaching out for mental health guidance and care.

Unfortunately that has not been my experience for a long time living in the country.

My GP kept telling me he would make an appointment with me to do a mental health care plan. That took about 6 months. At an appointment I basically told him I needed help, could he please do the plan that day and not make me wait another 4 weeks for a next appointment.

The psychologist he recommended sent me an email stating with the information the Dr had written in the referral she was unable to assist me. She had not even met me!

Wait another 4 weeks for another Drs appointment.  A new psychologist was recommended, I had to drive to the city for this one. Had to wait a couple of months for an appointment. My appointment was to be on Thursday this week. Received an email from the psychologist stating "due to changes in his circumstances he is no longer able to offer me sessions".

I go to the local hospital and am told "the Doctors are too busy seeing more important patients to be able to see you".  The Nurse/Sister actually stated that to me over and over.

Looks like me and my sick mind are just going to have to keep trying to support myself until it doesn't work any longer.

[Doolhof]

Hi Eagle Ray and All,

Thanks for sharing the accommodation tip. I was talking to a lady in her 70's recently who has a swag and goes free camping and stays in a caravan park occasionally to use the facilities! Some people can manage very well like that! I have noticed someone free camping close to us just off the highway in a parking bay for the last week. 

Part of my mind knows there are a lot of things I could be doing to help myself Sometimes I am just too exhausted to achieve much of anything. 

Yesterday I had thought of going to a drive to a town 30 kilometres away to look in the art gallery and go for a walk in a park close by. The weather turned really rough though so I caught up with my friends in the afternoon and will save that adventure for a different day.

Nature is restorative to me and I do like taking photos on my phone while I am out and about. Just stopping to look at what is around me helps sooth my soul too. 

Today we are having bursts of heavy rain so I am reluctant to going walking. I will enjoy the sound of the rain on the roof and the view out the window. 

Thanks for sharing and for your thoughts and suggestions here. Hope you enjoy your journey!

[Eagle Ray]

Hi Dools and the Rising,

The Rising, that is hilarious about your art teacher. It would be quite a shock to suddenly see one of your school teachers naked! I also processed black and white film at high school in 1989 and 1990. It was a media studies unit you could take. It was my favourite subject in high school along with music. I remember me and a classmate merging images in the dark room to create composites, now super easy in Photoshop. Actually it wasn’t too hard to do, the one slightly unpleasant thing being the strong chemicals.

Dools, I’d like to save money free camping, but I’m always travelling with my photography gear which is of value to me and it feels a bit safer being in the caravan park when by myself. But I would like to do some free camping and I’ve really enjoyed sleeping in a swag before. I got rid of my old tent as it was in poor condition but may get a new one. I’ve just arrived at a new caravan park this afternoon and it’s $60 a night for a very nice room with comfy bed, TV and aircon. Another budget option I’ve used in the past are backpacker hostels. There seem to be fewer now as a number closed during Covid and some have converted to being accommodation for workers (fruit picking etc) rather than tourists. Some old country pubs offer single rooms with shared facilities at cheaper prices too, which I’ve used before.

 I’m so glad you find nature restorative and taking photos soothing for the soul. I like that sound of the rain you describe. It can be nice being cosy indoors when it’s like that. I think doing day adventures can be a great thing to do. After I return home I plan to do some to keep that feeling alive that I’m enjoying now of seeing new things. One thing I’ve learned is there is so much to see and always new things to discover.

Take care and I hope you’ve had a good day.

[Doolhof]

Hi Eagle Ray and All,

Thanks for sharing your adventures and experiences. I had little motivation do much yesterday. Hopefully my sense of determination and action will improve!

I know there is so much I can do to assist myself, just hasn't been happening lately. 

[therising]

Hi Dools

Can be so incredibly hard, when there's something you know will make all the difference but you just don't know what that thing is. If you knew, you'd be doing it. You know it's there and you just wish someone would tell you what that thing is so that you could feel it, so you could feel anything other than down (what that feels like).

Not sure whether you feel the same but I think finding the difference or at least trying becomes such hard work at times to the point where I just want a break from trying to find it and in that break I simply feel nothing put a sense of peace. It's hard when the pressing need to find a difference just won't leave you alone. It won't even leave you in peace. And sometimes I think of how there'd be no need to find a difference if everyone in our life made all the difference for us. How much easier would that be?!🙂

I wish with all my heart I knew what would make all the difference to you, so that I could tell you and you'd be so relieved and so happy and life would feel so different. I think this is something we all wish for each other because that's the kind of people we are. ❤️

[Doolhof]

Hi therising,

One of my issues is one of immense tiredness, lack of motivation, determination and enthusiasm. I just don't seem to be able to find that get up and go some days.

I've been to the doctor for various tests. He thinks it may be long Covid, chronic fatigue and the mental health issues combined. Triggered past traumas shut me down at times as well. I need to find the stimulation, anticipation, desire and motivation to do activities and work on strategies that I know will help.

My work situation is unsettled, I never know from one week or the next if I will still have employment and have looked for other work. That tires me out as well. I know many people experience disappointments, too many in a row are exhausting.

Today I am going to continue reading the book I borrowed from the library aimed at teenagers about "Mindfulness and Mediation for mental health". It has some basic DBT stuff in it as well. I picked up another book from that section titled "You are Awesome. Find your confidence and dare to be brilliant at almost anything." One chapter is titled "What's holding me back?"

Some of the books in the adult section on mental health are a bit beyond my minds capacity at present, so I am hoping these books aimed at teenagers may help. 

The psychologist I was seeing talked about the inner child. Maybe reading these books aimed at teenagers will in some way assist me to understand my thinking and lack of ability to understand my mental health as a teenager myself  and may assist my healing to some degree now.

The psychologist has not responded to my emails. I have my last Dr approved  appointment on my mental health care plan booked with her for early next month. I really don't know it is worth driving for one hour each way  to see her if she keeps refusing to discuss the issues I want help with!

Thanks for your kind, supportive thoughts and best wishes. Regards to you from Dools

[Summer Rose]

Hi Dools

Sorry to hear that you're feeling so fatigued.  I went through a period of time where I was feeling the same.  Based on blood test results, my GP devised a vitamin regime for me.  I was sceptical, particularly thinking about value for money given the cost, but they have really helped me.  Maybe worth a discussion with your GP or pharmacist?

Hope you enjoy your reading.

Kind thoughts to you

[Doolhof]

Hi Summer Rose,

Thanks for the thought about the vitamins. I have had a few blood tests lately and all the levels seemed normal, I could certainly have a chat at the Chemist and see if they can suggest something. I try to tell myself Chocolate is the answer! That is just a short term fix that in itself can cause more issues if I eat too much!

The books have some very interesting points to them and I am finding them beneficial. Maybe  my sometimes overloaded mind is finding them easier to understand and comprehend. I'm making notes as well.

Today I dragged out my Gratitude Journal I have not written in for a very long time. I am going to try to write in it each evening. If I miss a few entries that is okay, I will try again the next day.

I've tried to be aware of my thoughts, feelings and emotions today and how I react to them. I managed some weeding today so was pleased about that. It gave me a sense of achievement. 

Kind regards to you as well Summer Rose. I so appreciate all the amazing support I receive here from everyone who posts. Take care everyone. 

[quirkywords]

Dools I think you posted 3 things one is thankful for thread.
I try to post on there every few days and it is a record for me. Not sure how it helps but I may see a pattern. 

[Doolhof]

Hi quirky,

I believe it does help us if we can find things to be thankful/grateful for. There are some days where it does not seem possible to find anything good, that is when I look past the emotional pain, the hurt, confusion and what ever else is claiming my mind at that time.

Having food, a warm bed and water are three things I can be thankful for on a depressingly horrible day.

Reading what other people are grateful for on the thread can be uplifting as well. 

Wishing you a good day quirky, with many things to be thankful for.

[Summer Rose]

Hi Dools and all

I wholeheartedly agree that finding things to be thankful for is essential to our lives, health and mindset.

In particular, I always look for the silver lining in any situation—and there always is one. Then I focus on this.

For example, my daughter is heading to hospital to deal with her out of control OCD. There is plenty of pain, frustration, loss and worry to deal with. I could let this dominate my thoughts.

But, at the same time, my daughter has a wonderful psychiatrist and psychologist. She will be engaging in a reputable OCD program, tailored to her needs, and she will be well supported. She is lucky to be able to access the program. There is no evidence to say the experience won’t help her, in fact the evidence suggests just the opposite. So much to be thankful for.

Kind thoughts to you