Need help coping between Psychiatrist sessions

[Guest_4643]

Hi everyone, my name's Tayla and I'm 20. Relatively new to these forums. I would really appreciate if someone can please help me and give me some suggestions/advice.

I have a Psychiatrist that I'm very thankful for, he's wonderful and everything I want in a therapist. He helps me and it makes me feel a bit better and sometimes a little happier and reassured while I see him. I do this through Telehealth because I'm in Regional Victoria and he's a 6 hour drive away in Sydney, so I've never met him face to face although it's pretty much the same thing. I would like to try and meet him in person some day though, but we'll see.

However, sometimes it can be a while in between sessions because I understand his busy schedule, he also has other commitments other than his Psychiatry work. But in saying that he does his job well and does what he says. So I find it really hard to cope until I see him again.

I see my GP also but I don't find her that helpful, personally. She's nice yes but not like my Psychiatrist.

I do come on websites like this, Lifeline, etc. to do web chats, and that's why I joined these forums.

I walk daily. I colour in and play a free colour by numbers app on my iPad called Happy Colour. Sometimes I'll read or write, or watch TV or movies, depending on if I'm in the mood. Other than that I don't have much to do.

Yes I have supportive parents and it's just them, my dog and I, I have no siblings, friends or other family members. I've tried so hard to join groups, get jobs, study, anything, and I'm always discriminated against (I don't know why), even by the local triage and local Headspace Centre. So I'm out of options and quite hurt. So basically I can't get any of those.

Please help and please reply. I really wish I could contact my Psychiatrist in between sessions but I'm not sure if that's allowed and how I can.

Thanks,

Tayla.

[blondguy]

Hi Tayla

Great to have you as part of the Beyond Blue forum family! I understand your situation as I also used to require additional help from my psychiatrist too inbetween visits without success thus the need for a proactive GP

You are very proactive with your health and having the determination to heal...This is a huge step towards recovery and good on you Tayla

I know you mentioned that your GP is nice yet not really working for you. Can I ask if your GP knows exactly what your history is?

This is my 23rd year seeing my GP for a 'fine tune' every couple of months and it works well after having the same difficulty seeing my psychiatrist. I did change GP's a couple of times before I found one with a strong mental health focus.

Face to face counselling can sometimes be difficult (with any GP) yet its important to have a supportive doctor than we can rely on

The forums are a safe and non judgemental place for you to post Tayla 🙂

There are many super kind members that can be here for you too

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Matchy69]

Hi Tayla.I just read your post you sound like an amazing young person and doing everything you can to make yourself better.I wonder if you can try and see a different GP maby one that you feel is better with your mental health.It can be just trial and error with GP.The last two GPs i have have been great but unfortunately my current is away on leave at the moment and i havent found one that i have been happy with since shes been on lesve.She comes back at the end of march.If you feel like you need to talk to your phychiritis maby ask if it is possible between sessions and if their is an alternative thing you can do.I dont know what other mental health services their is in your area.I live in a small country town and their isnt any close by for me.This sight is great if you just need to chat.

Take care,

Mark.

[Guest_4643]

Hey Paul. Thank you for your reply and your kind words, it means a lot. My apologies for my slow replies, been a bit busy and have a family friend over until Monday. But I'd rather get on here and try to support people and try to get support myself. And of course I've been down.

I'm sorry that you were in the same boat as me sort of, it's hard finding a good professional, whatever it may be. But I hope you've found good professionals that you can see and that they help you.

I try to be proactive yeah, it's so hard though. I'm doing everything I can including what I've been told by my GP and Psychiatrist and I'm getting nowhere. My Psychiatrist is the only one helping and I'm thankful, very thankful. He's the only good person I've found, ever. And I feel so blessed because he actually cares. And I've never found that in a professional.

Well I've told my GP as much as I can about my history, but she doesn't seem to know and understand, if that makes sense? Not sure how else to word it. I seem to tell my Psychiatrist more because he understands, and he cares. She just either says stuff I don't understand and stuff I don't find helpful but rather abrupt. Like me being 'self aware', what does that even mean? I live with this stuff, she doesn't. I'm self aware every day, I know how my body and brain works. That and other things she said when I saw her a few days ago I found hurtful. I tried to take it lightly and as help but it didn't seem that way.

I've been thinking about changing a GP but there's not many at this clinic, and I did see one prior who was OK but she wasn't the best for mental health stuff so I changed. Now I feel like the old Doctor holds it against me, she says hi when I'm there sometimes though. My Mum sees both of them depending on their availability. Plus I've heard mixed things about all of them, and they're all hard to book into. I have wait a few weeks to see my GP and Psychiatrist, but I understand, especially with my Psychiatrist. He has personal commitments, work commitments whether Psychiatrist stuff or other work stuff he does. I respect that.

I miss my Psychiatrist. I've told him about my GP and other so called professionals who have been treating me badly. He seemed to make notes of this in our last session more than usual. So who knows.

Thanks for your help, I appreciate it. Take care.

Tayla

[Guest_4643]

Hi Mark, thank you for your reply and kind words, it means a lot and I appreciate it. I'm sorry for my slow replies, I've been down and struggling and we have a family friend here until Monday. But I'd rather be on here supporting people the best I can and trying to seek support myself.

I could try seeing a new GP but I've heard mixed stuff about all of them, and there's not many, some are also away I think. I'm not too sure, as my comment above to Paul says if you'd like to read that also, saves me typing it again.

There's barely any mental health resources here near me, especially in the actual town itself. I emailed Wellways in the closest big town (30 mins from me), this was months ago and they never got back to me. I give up with Psychologists for a few reasons, mainly that none of them helped me and would take me in as a new patient and other stuff. I just want my Psychiatrist and that's all.

There's a Headspace centre also in that town 30 mins away from me. I went there for a group that went for 8 weeks sometime last year, in July or something? I can't exactly remember. Anyway that group was horrible, I got nothing out of it and we just did stupid kid things all the time like paint with our hands. I don't mind art and I know it's a way to express yourself and see others ideas but when we did it every week for 8 weeks and nothing else and little kid things it was too much. The manager and group members made fun of my mental illnesses and other things so I made a complaint and she lost her job. eHeadspace on their web chats have always been rude to me also. I complained about this too. That was traumatic for me and still is.

Other than that, there's nothing here for mental health, I've looked online and everything. It sucks. I see my Psychiatrist through Telehealth (Skype). He's in Sydney and I'm in Regional Victoria like I mentioned which is a 6 hour drive for me, maybe 1 hour or so to fly, not sure. He's the only good part in all of this in my opinion and I don't mean that in a creepy or awkward way, but in a grateful and thankful way.

Thanks again for your reply and kind words, it means a lot and it's appreciated from me. Take care yourself.

Tayla

[Matchy69]

Hi Tayla I understand about living in a small community with not much mental health services.It makes it hard.I only half an hour drive from the nearest city but i hate going in there and have panic attacks with all the cars.I use to driving around here with no traffic.I only just see my GP at the moment.I havent seen a phychiritis or phychologist in awhile.I havent liked any phychiritis i have seen.My phychologist i use to see was nice and i could talk to her but she is to far away now since i moved.I just been coming on here a bit of late just to talk to someone and to let it at sometimes.I am not very good with people or making friends or keeping them when i do.

I hope you have a nice weekend with your friend.

Take care,

Mark.

[Guest_4643]

hey Mark, I'm so sorry for replying just now.

Happy Australia Day. the friend is a friend of Mum's and Dad's, mostly Dad's who they've known since before I was born but I know him well too. I don't have anybody my age in their 20s or teens. so that really depresses me, but it can be nice having company sometimes. but also annoying at other times, without being rude.

I'm so sorry that you've never liked any of your therapists, I relate to that. my Psychiatrist is the ONLY professional I've ever had that I like, ever. that's why I mention him a lot because I'm so thankful. I'm not trying to sound like I'm obsessed or creepy or anything because I'm not so my apologies for that. it just means so much to me.

I relate to you about panic attacks and with the cars although I don't drive. I have my Ls but never done any hours because of my anxiety. I'm such a failure, and I'm 20. I'm not good with people either, which is surprising that I joined these forums.

Take care too,

Tayla

[Matchy69]

Hi Tayla.thanks for talking to me.My headache is much better today.I am getting very nervous about getting my daughter back to school tomorrow.She has bad anxiety,aspergers and selective mutism and is 16 next month.I have been helping her study for her learners which is a good goal for her to have.I have learnt i dont know half the road rules.

I understand about your bond with your phychiritis and how much talking to them means to you.I had this amazing friend up to setember last year who i use to talk to all the time and could talk about anything to her.She was sort of like a therapist for me but i lost her frienship last year from over ringing her just being to needy.I miss her such much and have no way of contacting again.I miss that person to talk to whats going on in my life,the struggles i am having and the good thinhs hsppening.I just come on here just to talk to someone but just dosnt see the same.

I am just waiting for my Doctor to come back from maternity leave in march so i can talk to her.I only like one other Doctor at that practise but i have only taken the kids to see her.Their is a few male doctors there but havent liked any of them.

Take care,

Mark.

[Guest_4643]

hey Mark. sorry for just replying now.

you're more than welcome for me talking to you, and thank you for talking to me aswell. I'm glad your headache is better today, I'm sorry to hear about your daughter and the struggles for all of you though, I hope things turn out alright as much as they can. I'm thinking of you all.

I'm so sorry about you losing your friend also, I know how that feels. I don't have anyone. the only people I really talk to live in America, or one in the UK. not like I can drive and see them or anything, but I'd love to meet them. and thats hard because of the timezones and whatnot.

I feel so heartbroken and like bursting into tears right now (you can read my comment on the other post I replied to, BB Cafe or something about that). I come on here too for people to talk to. I wish I had someone in person though. I see my Psychiatrist through Skype never met him face to face so it's not the same in a way.

I don't really like any Doctors at the clinic I go to. the others are 20-30 mins drive and I don't know if my parents would drive me there because I don't expect that. I have my Ls but never driven because of such bad anxiety. I'm a failure. I hope you and your kids find a great Doctor and other professionals. I hope I can support you here aswell as others.

take care aswell,

Tayla

[Matchy69]

Hi Tayla i can really hear the sadness in your words.I feel for you and that you think your a failure but i dont think that at all about you.You seem to me like your an amazing young caring person.I hope you find the help you need to show that you are an amazing person.I thank you so much for talking to me on here,i am not real good communicator at all.

I was interested to here you had friends in America as my friend i lost was from America and has been living in Australia a couple of years.I found her to be one of the most iteresting people i have ever met and i miss her friendship so much now.

I know how hard itnis finding a doctor you like.Some of them just seem so fake uncaring and dont want to help.I am just waiting fory doctor to come back from leave,she is the only one i trust.

I had to get my drivers licence through my cousin at in small country police station as because of my nerves and anxiety i fouled my driving test 6 times and given up getting it.That was over 30 years ago.I have a really good safe driving record.

Take care,

Mark