Have PSYCHOLOGIST helped?

[achompy]

I have several questions;  have psychologists been able to remedy and depression? What treatments did they use? How long was the process to recovery?  Have there been relapses? The reason I make this enquiry is because I have had depression all my life, I am 50 years old and over the years have seen many, many psychologists and even the odd psychiatrist. All to no avail. I have been most earnest in applying and taking whatever treatments were recommended. It has been very disappointing and frustrating because for all my effort, time, and money spent over the years there is no permanent positive outcome for me. I am very disillusioned because of my experiences. Would like to know of others experiences. Thanks in advance.

[HighlandGirl]

In my experience, some people have life-long depressive illness and others don't.  If you are prone to it, it can and will affect you long-term and it can and will fluctuate over time.  In my experience, talking things through is not a cure for depression.  It can help the patient to minimize their responses to stress because many psychologists will provide the patient with stress-reduction techniques to use in times of need.  It cannot stop a person feeling depressed as this is a complex chemical response - sometimes to specific stimuli, and sometimes for no apparent reason.

In my case, I've always been anxious and prone to depressive episodes.  I have depressive illness in my family history (immediate and distant family).  I am on the bipolar disorder spectrum.  I was mis-diagnosed as merely depressive which has only now been corrected but my psychiatrist does not push mood stabilisers the way others in the profession do.  I take an anti-depressant which I feel is enough chemical help. 

I've consulted with numerous psychologists over time.  Yes they're helpful in providing information, re-assurance and support.  But in my experience, the positive effects are often short-lived as daily life gets in the way again.  If the patient is prone to repeated episodes of depressive illness, then that needs to be managed differently to the patient who has one or more episodes which are triggered by a specific event and are self-limiting - that is an episode which has a definite beginning and ending following something stressful or traumatic such as a job loss or divorce for example. 

Right now, I rely on three medical practitioners: my GP who does my routine scripts and check-ups, my psychologist who is helping me through specific life events, and my psychiatrist who is helping me to better understand my illness and is tasked with helping me to lay my past to rest in order that I may have a brighter future.  I'm yet to see exactly what that means but I'm fascinated by his approach.  He's been in the profession all his life and I respect his clinical approaches so far. 

[geoff]

hello, in my age bracket to start with so that's a bonus LOL.

I can relate to what you are saying, because it took me a long time for any treatment to prevail, and yes I was frustrated too, change of medications, weekly appointments and nothing was happening to me. I liked my psychologist and I could talk to her freely, although their were some hidden secrets which we all have that weren't mentioned, but that's besides the point, every week I would drag myself to her office, put on the happy face while I was in the reception room, and then collapse when I was in her office, then the happy face came on again when leaving.

Along the way there were many relapses, especially when she said that I looked 'OK today', it didn't seem to be appropriate really, sure I may have been at that time, but I still had depression, being OK was just in a small time slot, and this could last for a day or so, then suddenly, bang, down I would fall again.

For some unbeknown reason I wouldn't feel comfortable when either she said it or my family and friend said it, because deep down I knew that I couldn't be able to last for a few days, so I didn't like them saying any of this, it's like the old saying 'does my bum look too big in this'.

Our brain is smarter than a computer, I know that the pc operates by who puts in the information, and if something goes wrong it's not the pc but the person who makes the mistake, however our brain has so many chores to rationalise, then this makes an illness like depression so difficult to mend.

Some people have the ability to overcome depression within a short time and I don't believe the professionals know why, although some there are some specific reasons why we do get depression, so these can be targeted and makes it much easier for the psych., otherwise it's becomes very complicated, like an entangled spider web.

How did I overcome depression and even by saying this I still have bad times, but it's not days, just moments, but one day I just woke up and I felt relieved from the pressure of depression, my attitude changed as to whom I would speak to, because I knew that these people were danger material, so I left them alone totally, even when they asked me about something or do you want to do this, it will be fun, no way, leave them alone, not interested.

My interests changed completely, so all my previous activities gone out the window, don't care about them any more.

I also started to skip a visit to my psychologist, as the visits were now once a fortnight, so I was only seeing her once a month.

It doesn't matter one bit about all these treatments if you aren't ready for them or you don't like them then they are useless. My psych. wanted me to do questionnaires, write down how I felt on bad days and the rest which involved lots of thinking and trying to work out why I was depressed, but that happens anyway, but I couldn't do any of them, I didn't have the strength, and certainly wasn't interested.

Not sure whether any of this helps you but I certainly hope a little bit has. Take care. Geoff.

[joey]

I would say YES definitely but not all of them... I have about a 20% or lower success rate (2 out of more than 10 I have seen).

As background I am younger than you but had over 10 years of depression before I found the right treatment. I tried a lot of different things. A lot of different meds and therapists.

It's about the right treatment but also the right person, the right setting, the right time. The treatment that worked for me in the end was the same treatment that others had tried earlier - with disastrous results. There were times when seeing a psychologist made me much much worse - so I was scared to go back.

In the end I got better and loved going to psych as knew it would be so helpful. And then I guess at that point its when I didn't need it anymore. But I am open to the idea of it in the future.

For me DBT therapy was what I needed. I think ACT would also be good. Group therapy is also worth considering (in addition to individual) - the support is priceless, even though you don't know it at the time and in the group environment its easier to learn things as there is not always such an intense emotional focus on you.

Joey

[HighlandGirl]

David, I just get so worn out with "managing" and "coping" or not...depending on the day I'm having. 

The highs are great - I love them but when the irritability hits, oh gosh that's awful.  I can go from laughing to cursing and back within minutes. 

I have resisted every attempt at hospitalization because I have a morbid fear of hospitals and other medical institutions.  I'm okay seeing a practitioner in rooms but not in-patient facilities.  The smells, sights and sounds are awful and scare the pants off me. 

I think the problem of mental illness for the patient is that we become jaded by our illnesses and limitations it places on us.  I'd love to have a "happy, normal life" like so many take for granted but I'm not sure I'd know what it means.  I don't think I've ever been truly happy with my life and I've externalized everything - blamed everything except what's responsible: bipolar. 

Psychology can help with coping skills and negative/unhelpful thoughts but it doesn't change moods and the symptoms that go with altered states. I wish it could...I'd be cured! 

[achompy]

 David, I am ok with being called "chomp", personally all psychiatrists I have met are "odd", I have often wondered about their mental state!  HighlandGirl, I found your response most insightful, wise and intelligent which resonated with how I feel. Geoff I love your dog, thank you all for sharing your experiences and perspectives. I wish you all the very best outcomes in all areas of your lives. As of right now I am loathe to go out and find medical professionals who will take me on, live in a new area now. My previous plethora of encounters with health professionals have not been able to assist me to manage or alleviate my depression.

[achompy]

Hello David, HighlandGirl and Geoff. Thank you all for sharing and responding to my questions. I just posted a reply but it has not appeared, hence this quickie from me just to see what will happen.

[Brianb]

I'm 55 and have similar lack of result from talk therapy.

The only thing thats holding me together is SSRI medication and that only just.

Not really happy with the side affects of the drugs but it's better than severe depression.

About to dive into another attempt at getting some help from a psychiatrist next month.

Wish me luck.

[geoff]

dear Brian, wish you the best. Geoff.