How to access help when you can’t get the words out?

[IdealIllusion]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post so please excuse me if it is a little muddled.

I’m generally not one to self-diagnose, but I’ve been living with pretty clear symptoms of both anxiety and depression for the past couple of years. The issue is, I can’t get myself to actually physically speak about it. For some reason although I can message someone about how I’m feeling, I can’t actually get it out for a face to face conversation. I’ve tried seeking help in the past, from both GPs and psychologists and every single time I either completely freeze and change the subject, or I lie and make the problem sound a million times better than what it actually is.

I really need help, at the moment I’m not sure how much longer I can take of dealing with this all by myself.

My question is- what can I do if I can’t seem to get it out in person? I don’t think it’s the physical act of speaking, I think I just can’t deal with seeing someone’s reaction when I talk to them about this kind of stuff.

If anyone has any ideas or suggestions I would take them with open arms! Thanks

[Scruffy1]

Hi idealillusion

while I don’t have any answers I just wanted to let you know I can empathise with your situation. Hopefully someone will come along with some answers. I am struggling with the exact same issues you describe so I will follow this thread with interest.

good luck and I hope you can find answers

[geoff]

hello Idealllusion, please let me welcome you to the forum.

When you are talking to a doctor or a psychologist face to face there maybe a fear that they will judge you, or you may try and say something but your mouth freezes, you get a dry mouth and endlessly looking around the office to avoid looking at the person.

Maybe these solutions may help you, one which has been mentioned many times and will still be in the future is to write down everything that you are worried about, all the details, where I drew a spiders web, I was in the middle and had everything coming off me, that's what made the web.

Hand this drawing over to them, but instead of looking at them face to face, turn around, then you won't be able to see their face or any reaction you are scared of, so it's a counselling session, just like being on the phone.

Another idea is to ask them if the session can be done by using your phone. Geoff.

[GreenTea_Honey]

Hi IdealIllusion and Scruffy1

Welcome both to the forums, I'm quite new as well but I hope you'll soon find them as helpful as I have.

I completely empathise with your fears and anxiety. I've struggled with depression for many years and only yesterday I finally went to the GP to get a Mental Health Care Plan. It was really difficult getting there and actually saying the words but I'm really glad I did it. I cried through most of what I was saying and I looked at my GP very little throughout the whole experience, but she was very kind and there was no judgement. She reminded me that they face these issues regularly and are there to help us, that she keeps a specific tissue box close to the patient chair for these sorts of sessions. I hope that eased at least a little of your nerves, but there are still plenty of avenues in getting help and where to start.

You can email a psychologist directly and start a dialogue, it will allow you to ask for help and to talk about your mental health without having to see their face or even leave your bed. If you go to the Australian Psychological Society webpage and into Find A Psychologist you can search for psychologists near you that have experience with your specific mental health struggles. Most profiles have an email and a webpage attached so that you can start exactly this kind of dialogue. And that way, when you feel comfortable enough with their responses to see them in person it might not be so scary.

Also, if you are under 25 years old, KidsHelpline have some really good services. You can receive some counselling over the phone or through their webchat (you have a session that is entirely online and is very much like the iMessages system).

If you are over 25 years old they can still help you get in touch with support and starting the process of seeking help.

Hope you're both doing well, and wish you the very best of luck 🙂 hope this was helpful to you