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Unable to connect with psychologists

replies: 33

Hi there, I’ve had depression for a long time and seen a number of psychologists over the years. I’ve never had one that I really felt was hugely beneficial. This year has been a particularly bad year: The psychologist I was seeing initially ended up... View more

Hi there, I’ve had depression for a long time and seen a number of psychologists over the years. I’ve never had one that I really felt was hugely beneficial. This year has been a particularly bad year: The psychologist I was seeing initially ended up telling me that she didn’t think she was helping me (I had been seeing her for 12 months). The next psychologist took months to get in to, and when I saw her I didn’t think she was helping. During this time I experienced suicidal ideation for the first time in my life, and she didn’t really respond to this, so I stopped seeing her after 6 sessions. I’ve just started seeing another psychologist who I liked for the the first two sessions, but I feel as though in the third and fourth sessions he has said some extremely misogynist things - which has had me in tears for days! Im really mentally unwell, and don’t know what to do to get the support I need. I’m being propped up by my GP and my psychiatrist. But really need a good psychologist. Any suggestions on what I should do? Thank you

Doctors - giving bad news is part of the job!

replies: 1

My ex husband has nearly died from liver failure. In hospital doctors talked about his symptoms and tests but none of them articulated his diagnosis (Cirrhosis) or told him his drinking would lead to more hospitalisations, full time care and death. T... View more

My ex husband has nearly died from liver failure. In hospital doctors talked about his symptoms and tests but none of them articulated his diagnosis (Cirrhosis) or told him his drinking would lead to more hospitalisations, full time care and death. They told me - but not him. I accompanied him to his follow up GP visit and it was glossed over there as well - like it was a secret. In the end I had to have the talk with him, translate his discharge notes and track down a 'Cirrhosis and Your Liver' kit. This is not my job! It's also not very effective - my ex husband has made an artform out of ignoring me. I know it must be difficult for doctors to have these conversations with patients but it's part of the job. Just get on with it!

Changing GP

replies: 2

Does anyone have experience with changing their GP which they arare willing to share? im not asking for recommendations or specific Dr names or locations. i don’t have any confidence in my GP. I don’t think that what she is recommending me is a good ... View more

Does anyone have experience with changing their GP which they arare willing to share? im not asking for recommendations or specific Dr names or locations. i don’t have any confidence in my GP. I don’t think that what she is recommending me is a good idea for me and I don’t feel supported or understood. has anyone else ever felt this way? Did you change GP’s ? Did you find it better? i realise everyone experiences things differently I’m just looking for some opinions. Thanks everyone.

Going into Hospital to help with Mental health voluntary

replies: 4

I’m just wondering if anyone has voluntarily gone into hospital to help with their mental health. I have heard people say the private facilities are good with programs etc, but not all people can afford private health. What are people’s experience wi... View more

I’m just wondering if anyone has voluntarily gone into hospital to help with their mental health. I have heard people say the private facilities are good with programs etc, but not all people can afford private health. What are people’s experience with public systems and what do they have to offer in the way of programs etc, and at what point would an individual consider this as an option. I dont know much about public options or which would be beneficial, just seeking some information, thank you

Private psychologist

replies: 1

Hi. I might be able to see a private psychologist from her home. Could there anything I should look out for. I never have have a private one

EMDR

replies: 2

Hi, I’m reaching out to try and ask others about their experience with EMDR. Yesterday my (new) psychologist started some EMDR with me. My previous psychologist made me do a disassociation test and determined I shouldn’t do EMDR and my psychiatrist a... View more

Hi, I’m reaching out to try and ask others about their experience with EMDR. Yesterday my (new) psychologist started some EMDR with me. My previous psychologist made me do a disassociation test and determined I shouldn’t do EMDR and my psychiatrist agreed with her. So never started. Cut to a couple years later and my psychiatrist recommended I start seeing a new psychologist that offers DBT but rather than start on that he’s been more focused on EMDR. He didn’t get me to do a quiz or anything. Anyway yesterday when he started he asked me to recall a memory and then follow his hand. Sometimes I wasn’t back in the memory but simply looking at his hand. I didn’t tell him that as I didn’t want to upset or offend him or do the wrong thing. Should I have told him? Is it normal that this happens (just watching his hand not recalling the event)? Sometimes I could recall the event maybe 40% memory 60% just watching his hand. Is what I’m saying making sense. Anyway would love to know others experiences and how you’d feel the day after. Today I feel so depressed and can’t stop crying. Thanks for reading this far and any help / advice / comments welcome. Emmy.

Finally Free! ..... well, at least for now!

replies: 2

Hi all. I have some news I want to share with you, and I gotta say that for me, this news, it is truly amazing! So I went to see my Doctor on Monday for a quick check up and to discuss my current medical condition - that being I'm in pretty darn good... View more

Hi all. I have some news I want to share with you, and I gotta say that for me, this news, it is truly amazing! So I went to see my Doctor on Monday for a quick check up and to discuss my current medical condition - that being I'm in pretty darn good health! I was asking her if I could go on a lower dose of my asthma preventer puffer, given that I rarely need it at all these days, and have hardly used it in the last six months or more. Even rarer these days is it for me to use my reliever puffer. So anyway, there I am sitting there telling my doctor all of this, and she said "Why don't you just stop taking it altogether then?" And I was all like "What? Are you serious? Could I ACTUALLY live medication free?!" And she said "Sure! If you're using it that little, then there's no point in taking medication that you don't actually need any longer." And I was like "Wow! That would be amazing!" So here I am, almost a week of being completely free from ALL asthma medications, for the first time in my life, EVER! Can you believe it?! I spent my entire life, like literally pretty much from birth to now, on medications for asthma and allergies, and now I'm on nothing at all!!!! Of course, if I get any sort of viral infection (like a head cold or whatever) then I have to go back onto it, or if I find that I am using my reliever more than 3 times a week, then that also warrants me going back on it. But for now, I am ASTHMA FREE!!!!!!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!! So very happy about this, that I just couldn't resist sharing! Life is AWESOME right now! ...... and now that I think about it, it all makes sense. I have known for a little while now that the side effects from some of my meds can cause depression (let alone what I went through as a kid), and since I've been able to slowly reduce my asthma meds, I've been getting mentally and emotionally better and better. It's taken me almost 50 years to get this good! So happy right now! Sorry, but I just had to have a brag about it! some days, you just gotta share the good news!

No resources for active support groups

replies: 2

I have been searching and searching endlessly for support groups that may be out there for people with depressive illnesses, ptsd and anxiety disorders. All depression pages link you to is little paragraphs that say "support groups may help in your p... View more

I have been searching and searching endlessly for support groups that may be out there for people with depressive illnesses, ptsd and anxiety disorders. All depression pages link you to is little paragraphs that say "support groups may help in your process" or some bull but no actual content on where to find these groups or the different groups out there north and south. I'm not sure if I am the only one that thinks this but after visiting multiple support sites, I have come to the conclusion that they must be run be people who have never had any disorders in their life. They have absolutely no idea what information people with depression need or want. What we don't need is some unskilled person on the end of the phone line to say really nicely that "your life is important and people care about you so don't kill yourself".

Seeing a new psychiatrist

replies: 6

Hi all, just looking for some advice for when i see my new psychiatrist in 2 weeks time please. I have struggled with depression for over 40 years, had some realy terrible times but have always been able to claw myself back to ragged functionality . ... View more

Hi all, just looking for some advice for when i see my new psychiatrist in 2 weeks time please. I have struggled with depression for over 40 years, had some realy terrible times but have always been able to claw myself back to ragged functionality . The last 3 years i haven't been able to do this,i started seeing a psychiatrist 2 years ago, since then i have tried several medications, had 3 admissions to hospital, numerous group courses, 2 seperate rounds of tms, psychologist, nothing has worked or helped to get me functioning again. 7 months ago my psychiatrist left the hospital without warning, i have been waiting desperately through some hospitalization with severe physical health issues, for my appointment with a new psychiatrist which is now coming up in 2 weeks. I am in such a mess because of waiting and hospitalization and illness that i am feeling really overwhelmed and nervous about my appointment with the new psychiatrist. I am afraid that i won't be able to discuss how bad I've been as i tend to clam up when nervous, and i don't realy know where to start. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated, thanks.

First time Seeing a psychiatrist

replies: 16

I recently saw a GP today and I am getting referred to a psychiatrist for my depression and anxiety. I'm really nervous and scared, never been to a psychiatrist. What is it like to see a psychiatrist and what should I expect and does it really help? View more

I recently saw a GP today and I am getting referred to a psychiatrist for my depression and anxiety. I'm really nervous and scared, never been to a psychiatrist. What is it like to see a psychiatrist and what should I expect and does it really help?

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Unable to connect with psychologists

replies: 33