Getting help for possible dysthymia, but months to see a psychologist. What to do in the meantime?

[Deckard]

Finally took steps after a decade or more of feeling flat, down, dull and lacking joy. Saw a GP. Initial thoughts are dysthymia (seems to fit).

I know I’ve picked a terrible time to finally do something about this with Covid affecting so many and mental health services taking such a battering (funnily enough, changes from Covid haven’t really affected my life), but my first referral has estimated April next year to actually see someone.

What am I meant to do until then? I don’t really want to feel like this for another 6 months.

[Guest_1643]

Hi Deckard, welcome

Nice one getting on the waiting list there! From my experience therapists help, but my recovery has been 80 percent my own stuff that I do to stay well. Your psychologist may even suggest going to a class, group, or taking up something new to complement the therapy. Maybe umcould start researching that as you wait? Just being with ppl can be really therapeutic, like doing art therapy, mindfulness, or yoga, in a group. Fine tuning self care. Journalling.

I so relate to what u say about this beinga terrible time to seek help. I am often so scared to make an appt with my gp, because I feel like he'll be bombarded with covod related qs, and won't prioritise mh patients.

But I guess I e seen that if he's the right GP, a good one, with empathy, he gets that mental health is health, he actually often prioritises me pretty highly for welfare checks and mh consults! So there are good professionals out there delivering mh care during this time, sending you support here from my corner of the earth, as a fellow person trying to get support and mh treat,emt during the pandemic

[mmMekitty]

Hello Deckard,
Yes, ten plus years is Quite a long time, but you have taken the first steps and that is what is most important. It took courage, and I applaud you for that.
Now you have to wait another four or five months which could feel like a long time. While waiting to see the Psychologist, for what may well be Dysthymia, must be difficult.
The months ahead can be made easier, if you can keep busy. Time really drags when you have nothing to occupy it. Worse still, is that having nothing to do surely would bring your mood lower. So, I think your question is very good.
One thing you can do: keep talking here, and -
Here are some BB places, with many pages, where you might find things you can do as well.
At the top of BB’s website there is a Drop-down Menu: “Personal Best”, which has “Wellbeing” and “Supporting Yourself”
And a Forum category: “Staying Well”
& you can phone BB’s own phone counselling service, too.
I wish you all the best & hope to see you around here some more.
mmMekitty

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Deckard,

So glad you finally decided to see a GP! I hear you about the wait; it's such a long time. It might be worth getting on a few different waiting lists if you are keen to see someone earlier.

In the meantime, I wonder if online programs could be helpful? There are a lot of free ones out there like MoodGym, eCouch, This Way Up and Mindspot. Basically they teach you a lot of exercises and techniques, a lot of them used in therapy.

Here's a link if you're interested and want to find out more.

https://www.headtohealth.gov.au/search-resources

Hope this helps

rt