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, thanks for saying that and agreeing with me. I guess you're right, maybe he might try to understand how I'm really feeling and how much I'm struggling although I've tried pretty much everything, and he knows that. So perhaps I'll say it, write it down even.

No worries, no need to be sorry. I've never heard of that movie, but it sounds alright. Glad you enjoyed it.

Take care too.

Tayla

[Matchy69]

Hi Tayla its good ides write down everything i know i forget things if i dont or say things properly as i get nervous and forget everything.

Take care,

Your friend ,

Mark.

[Guest_4643]

Hi Mark, thank you. Good idea that you write stuff down. I get nervous and forget things too so it's common, it's okay. I like your new profile picture, did you take that yourself?

My Psychiatrist wants to see me at 8am tomorrow (thats what the call from the Telehealth company was about), I'm happy and anxious at the same time. I hope I can keep the appointment on the 30th too. Of course I think the worst such as he doesn't want to see me anymore and so forth, but it seems like he freed his schedule to talk to me, do you agree? They just said he wants to talk to me and asked if I'm available so I'll keep you updated. It should be about changing my meds.

Take care too.

Tayla

[Matchy69]

Hi Tayla thats great you have an appointment tomorrow to discuss your meds.It does show he can make time to see him early if you need to see him.I hope you can keep your appointment on the 30th.He will let you know.Let me know how it goes tomorrow.

My profile picture is from a camping trip i did a few years ago on my motorbike.

Take care,

Your friend,

Mark.

[Guest_4643]

Hi Mark, thank you. Yes I'll let you know.

It's a nice picture, take care too.

Tayla

[Guest_4643]

Hi everyone on this thread, just giving you all an update about my psychiatrist and GP appointments today whether anyone reads this or replies or not.

Well the Telehealth company called me yesterday since I sent them an email to pass onto my Psychiatrist, and I saw him today at 8am so he freed his schedule to see me.
Basically it went for 30 mins, and as usual he asks if I can see and hear him okay since it's on Telehealth so like Skype, the answers always yes.

Then he said "I got your message, and I thought it would be good for us to have an appointment and chat" and I agreed.
We just talked about how things have been going for me with the meds, my mental health and other struggles. He was quite concerned about me and told me new meds he's putting me on, the side effects, what to do with side effects, dosage, everything really.

We discussed how bad I'm feeling on my current meds, he told me to lower my dosage of these for a week then start my new ones. As usual we talked about serious things, he gave me some coping strategies if I feel like harming myself although I haven't, such as clapping, the butterfly thing I mentioned, the rubber band stuff and other things and he told me some analogies that I liked. I've tried the rubber band thing.

He also said that a patient told him recently that The Black Dog Institute have phone counselling and that patient found it helpful so I could look into that, and that if I have any concerns I can call the Telehealth office and they'll reach him. There was something I forgot to mention to him but it's okay, I'll tell him on the 30th.

I said to him I've been feeling really anxious, having flashbacks, no sleep, etc. and we discussed that too of course. I said I feel like I annoy him and I'm a burden and he said I don't annoy him and I'm not a burden.
I'm not trying to brag but I really am so thankful for him and for him doing that, it meant a lot to me and I thanked him.

And I was putting myself down saying he doesn't care, I guess I was wrong, he was quite concerned today. I reassured him I haven't harmed myself but the thoughts are very dark, intrusive and more frequent and hard to fight but I'm trying my hardest.

He always smiles and puts me at ease and is so smart, he just has a kind, caring manner, he's never rude to me. He's helped me, truly.

Thanks all, I hope everyone's well. GP won't give me the prescription until she gets the report from him, fair enough, hopefully that's soon.

Tayla

[Paw Prints]

Hello Tayla,

"I said I feel like I annoy him and I'm a burden and he said I don't annoy him and I'm not a burden."

You have been so anxious about talking to him about that & yet you did!!! You should be proud of yourself.

Hugs

Paws

[Matchy69]

Hi Tayla that was really a positive outcome of your meeting for you.I knew thst would be the case but you needed to here it from him and have that reassurance.I hope you always remember he does care and that i care and the everyone on here does care about you.Your an amazing person.

How do you feel about the change of medication and posdible side effects from them?I hope it helps and you dont have any really bad side effects.

Take care,

Your friend,

Mark.

[alasdayr]

Tayla,

Just got to this thread from the other one that has been closed. Glad the psychiatrists session went well.

Will reply to more of it later today.


Alasdayr.

[Guest_4643]

Thanks Alasdayr. I'm really thankful for him, and these forums of course, you included.

Tayla