Need help

[Emily543215]

I recently went to a mental instatution, got put on medication, its making me very aggitated, seems to just be making me worse. Ive felt really angry, more depressed then usual.

Ive asked my doctor if i can see a therapist so i can be diagnosed properly, so i can be put on the right medication and can be helped the way i need which i think is therapy and medication.

The doctor refused tho cause thats not part of my mental health plan.

[Stephen123]

HI Emily, in my experience, Doctor is always right! I hope you have a good day. A diagnosis is just a label. I think NSW Health services have moved beyond labels.if you really want a label, but I'm not a doctor but I have been in 3 different mental institutions over a period of 21 years, no longer than 3 weeks at a time though thank God! Various Doctors and psychologists gave me about 4 or 5 diagnosis or as I now refer to them labels. I now like to think of myself as father of 3 children, a loving husband of 30 years and housewife. I'm not a very good housewife though as I end up on the computer most times rather than do my chores, but such is life. Drugs and alcohol and gambling just make things worse if you think they make you feel better, if you take them that is. I used to be on Beyond Blue a lot about 5 years ago, I don't know if my old posts are still there. I am here today because I am at the stage I would like to conquer my fear of public speaking at the tender age of 51. I did toastmasters a long time ago and I was a nervous wreck doing it. I was thinking about going back to toastmasters again I think Blue voices might be better for me. I hope they can maybe teach me how to speak publicly. The best advice I've ever had was from my old boss, and he said just try your best, and that is all we can do Emily is try our best. I hope you start to feel better. I hope you haven't got that stomach thing, the gut ache that makes people lie in bed and feel bad and cry and stuff. That might be just a little touch of anxiety if the Doctor doesn't want to label you. You're with a good Doctor hold on to him/her like gold. If you just do what they say to the letter, you'll be fine. Write their instructions down, paint it on a wall if you have to. Live by their instructions or waste 20 years like I did and miss out on the good family/relationship stuff and end up waking up to yourself in the end anyway and finally getting those instructions down pat. I hope you have a good day and a good life. The sun is shining in Sydney and it's a beautiful day. I may or may not be back here again, please feel free to ask anything of me if you wish. I do not promise to be back here to answer but you never know. Bye for now. 

[romantic_thi3f]

Hey Emily,

Welcome to the forums! Thanks for being here and sharing what’s going on for you.

Hmmm… that doesn’t sound right at all! A mental health plan is a document from the GP to the therapist so that they can provide care under the Medicare scheme. The GP sends the plan to the therapist with some general guidelines but it’s up to the therapist how they want to proceed, whether that’s with therapy or medication management.

As well as that, the GP can personally prescribe medications for mental health without even stepping foot in a therapists door… so none of that seems to add up with what your experiences are?

What did your doctor suggest?

[Alexlisa]

Hello Emily,

I’m really sorry this has happened to you. It sounds like you’re having a really tough time and being incredibly brave in trying to do the right thing by getting help. Please don’t let your experience so far discourage you, because it doesn’t sound right at all.

‘Romantic Thief is right, being able to see a psychologist is precisely the point of having a GP mental health plan. It allows you to access 10 sessions each year with a psychologist.

Finding a GP that is knowledgeable and confident in dealing with mental health issues can be quite hard to come by. Is this a doctor you see regularly, and have a good relationship with? I know from my own experience that finding a GP that you feel comfortable with regarding your mental health is so important and I’ve found a great GP who listens to me and will do all she can to help. Also, if your GP will be managing your medication, you want someone knowledgeable and you can trust. Could you consider finding a new GP? Perhaps one who family/friends recommend?

You are being really responsible in wanting to see a therapist, good one 🙂 Regarding seeking a diagnosis, there is nothing at all wrong with that. It’s up to you to decide what path you want to take in your mental health journey. And if you think finding a diagnosis will help you understand yourself, what you need and what treatment is best for you, go for it. I know for me, getting my diagnoses absolutely helped me to get the help I need (correct medication and therapy) as well as let me understand myself better. It lets me see early warning signs, understand when I need help and feel less frightened by what happens to me. And it really helped with my self esteem so that I wasn’t always so hard on myself.

Please, please, please don’t let this experience stop you getting help. In my experience, the goal of being in a psychiatric hospital is to focus on stabilising you when you’re in a crisis state, so that you’re well enough to go back into the community. It’s mostly about treating the immediate symptoms to keep you safe. But that’s just the beginning of the journey to getting well. You are absolutely doing the right thing in seeking continuing help. This is when you learn about your illness, learn skills, get supported, and also work on finding the right medication for you (if that’s what you need/want).

Please writeback here if you need anything. It’s a great community here and I will keep an eye on this thread.

Take care,

Alexlisa x

[startingnew]

Hello Emily

I think Romantic_thief and Alexlisa have brought up what i was going to say. You have 10 sessions with a psychologist and sometimes in health clinics you can see a counsellor for free/low cost outside of the care plan. There is also the option for a refferral to see a psychiatrist, they specialise in mental health medications.

If your gp wont help you then i would suggest seeking out a new gp. one that understands you and wants to help you achieve your goals of getting better.

Sending some kind and gentle thoughts your way