Managing mental health

[Happygoluckymiss]

Hi all,

i have realised that now I am ready you speak with a mental health professional.

I recognise I need to now talk about this with a professional and perhaps confront the fear of talking about it.

I have seen professionals in the past and know that by having this baseline it will be the start to help manage the not so good times.

I’m not looking forward to the emotions after - so I am asking this beautiful community on ways they’ve processed their interactions with their MH professional and if there is anything that I can take with me in my mental health toolbox to help ride that wave? Was it a relief? Hard?

As always, I open all suggestions!

- happygoluckymiss

[smallwolf]

Hi Happy,

I really only have about "4" tools -

1. the first two are apps on my phone. These are virtual hope box and relax melodies. These were both recommendations from my psych. Other users here will have other suggestions in the area, but for me "less is more". (I did try other ones, but I could not get used to the accents or what they were saying. These can be somewhat subjective.)

2. I also have prayer beads (or you could call them worry beads) for when the apps don't work for me. The nice thing about these is that they are something that I can touch, see, feel, which for me can be more effective.

3. pen and paper. I get homework from my psych each time I see her. So I have to do things like write gratitude journals, things to be thankful for, negative thoughts that worked out ok, and otherwise reflections for the day/week that I will bring up in the next session.

The only area I don't like talking about are the intrusive or SI that can some some days. But then I will still work through these issues. And together find ways of of getting past or through them. The ability for me to be able to understand what is going on in my mind, and learning new coping tools helps me, rather than wallowing in misery.

The very last thing is patience. Issues in me that have been with me for decades cannot be fixed quickly. So I have to take it slow and steady.

Tim

[blondguy]

Hey Happy

Smallwolf (Tim) has mentioned some excellent examples above...especially where patience is concerned. It can take time to re-train our brain and the way we have been thinking

• The fear of seeing a doc/counselor is common and a part of the road to recovery....and yes it can be scary
• The earlier anxiety is treated the better our recovery will be.....and sometimes quicker too!
• My first therapist was a MHW (mental health worker) who was a career psychiatric nurse through my local council. He made me promise that I would see him weekly at 8:30am on a Tuesday. He also said "If you dont show up for your weekly appointment, I will know you are not serious about recovering from your anxiety"
• After 3 visits he had me crying like a baby.....as he asked the 'uncomfortable' questions that were a major catalyst for my anxiety issues...I was so embarrassed by crying that all I could think about was what the receptionist would think..This therapist was an expert in getting through my silly defense mechanisms
• Same day...went home...still crying. I was ignorant as I didnt know he was getting me to vent the built up crap I had been through with my dad and family court contact issues
• Next Day....I felt such relief and peace...The feeling was wonderful Happygoluckymiss
• Ongoing Care....I still see a psychologist every 4 months and my GP every 4 weeks for a fine tune 🙂

Any questions are more than welcome Happy!

my kind thoughts always

Paul

[smallwolf]

Hey Paul,

That 3rd point you made is tough love but very true... in chats I have had with both of my psychs not everyone is serious and wonder why they are not getting better. It can be a long, slow and painful journey, but is also up to us to fix ourselves via their guidance, assistance and support.

Tim

[blondguy]

Hey Happygoluckymiss

Hey Tim....Thankyou and yes it was very hard work...I neglected to mention that those weekly visits lasted for seven months....He was based in a community health center...I dont think that councils have mental health workers anymore as per budgets etc....I think!?

I loathed attending the first few visits....yet it was one of the smartest choices I have ever made. That said I still need to have monthly visits with my GP

Yes...it does take a long time to find some peace Tim....unfortunately....

my kindest thoughts Tim and Happygoluckymiss

Paul

[geoff]

hello Happygoluckymiss, as you have made this decision is certainly a step forward, but also a knowledge that there is help out there for you.

Psychologists can use their training to help you to gain your strength and combine these into your recovery, and it doesn't matter whether you cry, stall or think, all of this happens in the process.

All of this will impact on your thoughts, feelings and behaviours and please this is important, that it’s OK to not feel OK and you can feel comfortable saying I’m not OK, tell them if you want to, let the cat out of the bag.

The sessions you have maybe be very emotional, or you may talk about different emotions that have never been considered, so at the end of the session maybe different, happy, sad, confused or perplexed, but if you leave happy then once you step out into the real world you may feel as though you've hit a wall and suddenly fall into the black hole, this may only last a few minutes, this is what happened to me several times.

I was lucky as I was able to see my psychologist for 20 years, it was a Workcover case, so they paid for it, but there were times I was still a bit frightened to see her, that's only natural and very normal, but please if this happens, don't walk away.

Love to hear how you get on.

Geoff.

[Happygoluckymiss]

Hello and a collective reply to all!

Thank you! This is great and all very appreciated. I am astounded at the level of responses and care this wonderful community has. So, a BIG thank you to you all.

I appreciate the encouragement and each of you sharing your experience and what’s in your tool box.

The initial appointment is via phone which is a perfect thing for me and if needed and when I will go face to face.

I thought I’d start small as from the reading I’ve done here and on mental health and wellness, starting small is always the best thing and more manageable.

I have a big presentation today - infrony of about 100 people to give and you know what’s funny - this talking infront of 100+ people in an auditorium is not stressing me out at all - funny how I our minds work!

I have my appointment after this - which I thought would be much better than having it before!

I’ll keep you updated after the appointment to let you know how I went !

- happygoluckymiss

[geoff]

Hi Happy, talking in front of 100 people and not being nervous, 10 marks out of 10 and let us know how you get on.

Take care.

Geoff.

[Happygoluckymiss]

Thank you Geoff!

This is so appreciated!

I’ve never had a problem speaking to an audience - but talking one on one with someone about me and my feelings- that’s a whole different story 😂😂😂

I will let you all know how it went after the presentation! Thank you again to this beautiful, caring community. It has saved me over the last little while

- happygoluckymiss

[Happygoluckymiss]

HI all

as promised: the presentation was a resounding success 🙌🏼 So I am proud of myself and the audience was engaged and really loved it!

Thank you everyone