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]

It's honestly so hard, impossible actually, for me to cope. I changed GPs and saw her twice but I don't know if she's going to work and if she cares about me. I just feel like no one at all cares especially professionals. The triage refuse to help me and I don't know why, I feel like my Psychiatrist doesn't care anymore, no GP will care, and so forth. I give up. I've looked up mental health stuff in Australia such as websites, etc. and hence me joining these forums. I did email some places like Grief Line or whatever they're called months ago but they never got back to me. Sorry for just replying now by the way everyone.

Tayla

[Guest_1643]

Hey Tayla,just read that you're overwhlemed finding resources. I know that feeling, and think it can be frustrating and confusing sometimes. It's really hard to not get discouraged when you put in the effort to seek help and you're met with uncaring or unskilled professionals. I accessed a free service this week where you see a social worker, it was the worst experience and she was terrible. I felt really annoyed after that. I feel for you and hope you can weed through the rubbish to find helpful people. You really, really deserve it and I know it's not fun at all having to keep searching. So many services are so average.

[Guest_1643]

just wandering, are you allowed to call triages outside of your area? Like could you say that you're in regional victoria etc and the hospital there offers nothing but inpatient options? I wander if they would help? xx

[Guest_4643]

Hey Sleepy, thanks for replying. Nice to hear from you.

Wow that's terrible, I'm sorry that you had that experience, you don't deserve that, no one does. You're right it is hard not to give up and I keep trying to look for stuff even things similar to BB but it's difficult. I'll keep trying I suppose.

I'm not sure if I can contact other triages and how all of that works. I'll ask my Psychiatrist I suppose.

Thanks though.

Tayla

[Guest_4643]

mb4, what makes him a good therapist to me is:

- We can talk about serious things but also have a joke about stuff, which puts me at ease.

- He always smiles at me and has a gentle voice and manner, so he cares and he wants to help me, and he explains things in good detail (meds, how they work, side effects, everything really) and always asks if what he says makes sense.

- He always asks if there's anything else I'd like to ask or discuss. He's just polite, caring, friendly, I trust him, and so forth.

I've never had any of that in a professional before, which is sad, but I'm glad I found him. No professional has taken me seriously and cared and wanted to help me so it's taken me a while to trust them, so GPs, Psychologists etc. He's the first Psychiatrist I've ever seen and I did my research and picked him myself and I'm glad I did. I trusted him in the first session because he was just different from everyone else but in a good way. No one else has taken me seriously or has any knowledge like he does of meds, etc.

He also said to me "I want to give you therapy myself, not just prescribe you medication", word for word he said that and that made me feel a bit better. He knows that I can't get any professional help where I live as much as I've tried and bad traumatic experiences I've had with Psychologists, Headspace Centre, etc. So that meant a lot.

He tries to reassure me and put me at ease, and he doesn't make me feel rushed in the sessions unlike other professionals I've had, they have this "get out" attitude.

In terms of what he's suggested, all I remember is that he suggested I read Beating The Blues which I have but haven't read yet and do a Mindspot Course (which is free) and I did but I didn't find that helpful and my results got sent to him with my consent.

So yeah I don't have an attachment to him, it's just that I've never had a professional like him and as I mentioned it's sad but I'm thankful for him now.

When he was overseas during Christmas and I had a session in January, he got some letters from Mindspot saying I was really bad and intended to kms (I'll just abbreviate that) but I didn't, and I told him why, and he was worried and concerned and we discussed this. I can't remember if he's given me any other resources or whatever.

Tayla

[Matchy69]

Hi Tayla i have been thinking about your upcoming appointment into 2 weeks.Do you have particular things you want to discuss with him this time and if you written them down.I hope you are feeling better today and that the two weeks go quick for you.

Take care,

Your friend,

Mark.

[Guest_4643]

Hi Mark, thank you for thinking of me. I wish it would hurry to be honest, it's so hard.

I haven't written anything down yet but I'll think of some stuff. Do you think it would sound rude if I said "I don't mean to sound rude but I don't think it's fair that I have to wait so long to see you, especially this time? I understand you have other patients but I'm struggling so much and talking to you helps me a bit since you know I can't get any other help, especially professionally here". I don't want to sound rude and make him uncomfortable, what do you think?

Take care yourself.

Tayla

[Matchy69]

Hi Tayla i think you have every right to ask him if you can see him more as you are struggling and see what he says.I hope you can ask him that as that is really important to you and for your mental health.I was lucky with the psychologist i use to see she use to work back an extra hour to see me if i was struggling.I hope your psychiatrist can see you more.

Take care,

Your friend,

Mark.

[Guest_4643]

Thanks Mark, do you think that question I wrote above sounds rude? I don't want to sound rude and make him uncomfortable so I'm not sure whether I should say/ask it or not.

That's sweet about your Psychologist staying back to help you, how lovely. Thanks again.

Tayla

[Matchy69]

That question sounds ok.I dont think it sounds rude and you are saying how you feel about getting more support from him.It will make him know you are struggling.

Sorry i just got back to you.I was wstching a really good movie on tv called Boychoir and had Dustin Hoffman in it.

Take care,

Your friend,

Mark.