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.

[Guest_4643]

Hey Mark, you're welcome for caring, of course I care.

I'm sorry to hear about all of that, and wow that's so weird about the cross dresser, damn. Can't imagine how weird that would be and creepy.

I've only been to hospital for my first surgery in November 2018 for 4 days, other than that, only as a visitor for loved ones. Never been into a hospital, triage, any of that for mental health.

I haven't called the triage yet but I will. I'll let you know when I'm done, I'll try to call them now. I hate talking on the phone and they better not be rude again otherwise I'll see if I can't go. I hope it's not compulsory, or I can go & see what it's like then if I don't like it don't go back, not keep going and be forced to stay there in any way.

I hope you and your daughter are alright too. I'll get back to you shortly about the triage, it's a 24/7 number. Let me give them a call so bare with me.

Tayla

[monkey_magic]

Hey Tayla,

How are you going ATM? I've also been inside mental hospitals. Do you think you need this as part of your recovery or do you think you will be ok at home. I'm asking this because I personally think they are the worst places on Earth. In saying that I did experience friends in there, you get free food, a bed and all that but there are some very negative aspects to psych wards as well.
Do you think you can heal with your supports ( family etc) and psychiatrist or do you need a hospital. It's something I'd think twice about. I'm just going by my own experience ok.
I thought I'd be in there for a couple weeks and they wouldn't let me out for 3 months. I could go on and on but I don't want to scare you. But they are scary places to stay in, from experience.
I just don't want anyone to endure what I've had to.
You will have some ppl on here say that psych wards helped them and others having a bad experience with them. I've had bad experiences with them and in highnsight wouldn't ever put myself in one again. They scare the hell out of me.
Hopefully others can jump on board and say good things but I'd steer clear. Even triage was rude, imagine being stuck inside.
I totally recommend outside supports as the safer alternative.

[monkey_magic]

Tayla,

I've just started a new thread about ppls experience in a psych ward to help you gain some insight of what it's like in there. I've asked ppl to share the good, bad and ugly. It's going through moderation ATM, hope it goes through and hope it helps you out.

[Guest_4643]

Hey MM.

I replied to your comment on the other post and I'll check out the thread you made, thanks.

Yeah they sound scary, but as you said it's different for everyone. And no I don't want to go to a place like that, I much prefer my parents and Psychiatrist. It would be great if I could meet my Psychiatrist in person and/or my parents could talk to him since they're around me a lot, my GP said that could be a good idea letting them talk to him also, but I guess I'd have to ask my Psychiatrist that question & ask this triage & him if I have to go there, or I can go & see what it's like once then if I don't like it, leave. Is any of it compulsory? No one's told me if it is or not.

And wow I'm so sorry that you went through all of that, that's horrible. Thank you for thinking of me and being protective and whatnot of me, I appreciate it. The movies do stereotype most of these things though, but it's not something my parents & I want to go through. I'll ask my GP this also when I see her in a few days again.

Tayla x

[monkey_magic]

Hi Tayla,

You're welcome.

To answer your question once you're there they can make you stay there for as long as they want against your will. I went there thinking I'll be out in a few weeks but three months later I was out and I didn't have a choice about it.
So far my post has come through in the PTSD/trauma section about psych hospitals.
I hope a lot of ppl write in because what they're like is a qtn that gets asked a lot.
Some are better than others. I've been to quite a few as well.

[Guest_4643]

Hey MM.

Wow that's incredibly scary, I'm so very sorry you and others have been through that. I called them, they had to reforward the referral, so I called them back to double check. Got that rude guy again. I asked him if any of this is compulsory & how they work. He said no, none of it is, & it's completely my decision & they'll delete the referral. I asked if I could keep seeing my current Psychiatrist, & they said I'll have to discuss this with the place I do Telehealth with, him, & my GP. I see my GP on the 31st, Psychiatrist on Feb 18. However there's an hour long appointment with my Psychiatrist on Feb 10 at 10am which I'm going to try & get. Would you suggest keeping the appointment on the 18th & making the one on the 10th, or just having the one on the 10th if I can get it only? I'll be discussing a lot of things with my GP, in frustration of her not communicating, like I did last time.

I don't want to lose my Psychiatrist & I can't help but think the worst. My parents said that if he didn't want to work with me & hospitalise me & whatnot, he'd say so, but he's never said that & at the triage they said with the referral it doesn't sound like I need to be hospitalised. I said I don't want to go to the triage or anywhere like that AT ALL. I said I just want my parents at home & my Psychiatrist, THAT'S ALL. I'm scared. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal and he's never told me he doesn't want to see me anymore or anything bad. Plus he'll have to keep seeing me to keep up with my GP & look after my medication & therapy, right? He can't just drop me like that can he, or any therapist can't do that?

I'm so sorry for being this way. I wish I could email or call him right now & ask because I NEED that reassurance from him.

Tayla x

[monkey_magic]

Hi Tayla,

They said it doesn't sound like you need to be hospitalized that's excellent news.
I agree with your parents if he didn't want to keep working with you he wouldn't. I think you have a lot of doubt and anxiety and possibly fear making things seem what they're not.
Try and take some deep breaths and rrreeeelllaaaaxxx....or listen to some soothing music. I'm sure everything will be ok.

As for the earlier appointment I'd take it as you're so keen on seeing him and if u can keep the other appointment why not. If it helps you go for it. There are other services you can talk to as well like beyond blue or lifeline. They have councillors that you could benefit from talking to if that's what U needed. I talk to them.

How are you going with the medication side effects? Mine have sort of eased for now .

It's difficult going through different meds and having mental illness.
I really hope you know that you are doing your best. You are trialing the options out there which means you are helping yourself.

I know it's hard but keep fighting girl...

MMx

[Guest_4643]

Hey MM.

I guess you're right. I've been trying to be positive and reassuring to myself but I guess I'd need to hear it from him to calm down. I'll see what I can do about the appointments, discussed this with my parents also. I'll ask my GP when I see her too.

I still have my side effects. I'll be starting new ones on the 1st or 2nd of Feb since that will be 10 days since I last saw my Psychiatrist, as per what he said. I have the prescription just need to get it filled. Plus isn't there a law that all specialists, well more so mental health professionals, aren't allowed to just drop patients? Do you get what I mean? Not sure how else to word it. I think there may be but I'm not sure. Maybe I could Google it?

I really wish I had an email or something for him. I only have the Skype thing & that's all, hence why I'd like to ask him, in a polite way not making him uncomfortable, just for the days that are really hard, in business hours of course, whatever they may be. The company I do Telehealth with won't give me any of that or let him call me but I understand that.

I did get a text on my Mum's phone saying they reforwarded the referral, & that was from some number that I didn't know, they didn't say who it was from but I assume it would be from the Telehealth place just on a different number, since they're free call numbers for the offices (like 1800 numbers). I read it but didn't reply back. So I doubt that was him because no one said who it was & I don't want to text back & ask & bother.

I've heard instances where Psychiatrists have given a patient their email or something to cope between sessions, & it doesn't bother them & the patient respects that & only contacts them when necessary, & that's what I had planned. I don't want to make him uncomfortable & ruin this. I keep trying to push myself for my own good but I forget & can't bring myself to ask, because I respect his busy schedule & his privacy.

I hope I haven't done anything wrong to him. I've always been polite, not pushy, none of that I assure and promise you. I feel so down on myself & so guilty & regretful. I keep overthinking & thinking the worst & I can't help it, it may seem like I can but thats all my mind is right now.

I'm sorry. Thanks for your help, I know you have your own things to deal with like others and I'm sorry for being a burden.

Tayla

[monkey_magic]

Morning Tayla,

You aren't being a burden. When I first joined BB and blabbed away I thought the same thing, but that's what these forums are for, to share experiences.

That would be excellent to have access to a psychs email in between sessions. I've been like you, needing more of their time inbetween- I see mine once a month. Especially when you're experiencing terrible side effects- you want to talk to them about it.
I'm not sure about the laws about a psych not seeing a patient again but I'm sure in your case he'll keep seeing you after all you sound like you've been respectful of him. Also, he's getting payed to see you.
I think it would take a lot for a psychiatrist to cancel a patient. I have made them feel uncomfortable, challenged them and been a pain in the butt and mine kept seeing me. There was an instance one stopped seeing me but that's bcas I called up and said I went to the police. I'm in a very different situation to you though where I feel I don't have the diagnosis or need the medication.

I'm sure everything with your psychiatrist will be fine Tayla.
Just know that I choose to write to you ok. I've got the time, plus it helps me as well.
My side effects flarred up again. In my head I curse my situation. How good would it be to be side effect free. I haven't felt that for over a year now.

Hopefully you've calmed your mind down and please know you've done nothing wrong for your psych to not want to see you again. Overthinking the situation won't help.

All the best,
We are here for you.

MMx

[Matchy69]

Hi Tayla,i am seeing how you feeling today.I hope you can some reassurance from your pychiatris that he wants to continue seeing you and have some way of contacting you between sessions.

I have a lot going on in my head at the moment with one of kids back at school ane sick.I always get thoughts like its the corona virus or something serious.About 3 years my son ended up in hospital with an unidentfied virus and he was very sick and had to go on very strong antibiotics.

I am always here to listen to you and want to hear everything you have to say.

Take care,

Mark.