Petrified of psychologists

[Guest5643]

I don't know what to do. Ive been on a waiting list for quite awhile for the free local health district psycholgist. I just got a letter saying i have to decide by the 25th this month if I'm to still go ahead with it. I'm not going pretend I'm well because I'm not but I've become scared of seing psychologists because i got verbaly abused one tine because i was twiddling my thumbs and was anxious that day. I got in big trouble for not going on a steady path of becoming well. I was to get noticely better with each visit and never have a set back and i was accosted because of that and she told me theres people on a wait list and its not fair on them because im not taking it seriously. From then on i lied each time i went and had a fake smile so i could get discharged from there system because i was scared of her after that.

[Lonelydan]

Hi Helium, If you do decide to go ahead with seeing a psychologist tell them your experience. So they know you have fear because of your last experience. I’ve also had some bad ones but some wonderful one also. my worst experience was one telling me to revisit the place where my sexual abuse happened to see I’m not that little boy but a big strong man now. I told him you are one of the most Dangerous idiots I’ve ever come across and reported him I believe his in Human Resources now probably more suited. Psychologist are kind of over qualified counsellors and usually only do counselling as a stepping stone to the career occupation they want. Dan...

[Yana8216]

Hello Helium

The treatment you received from a psychologist in the past sounds very unfair and unprofessional. Putting pressure on you to become well may have been your previous psychologists' attempt at being helpful, but anyone who has experienced mental illness would know that it has the opposite effect. I have seen two psychologists in the past 10 years and they have been wonderfully supportive. They have sensed my sensitive nature and were careful to tread lightly and build my confidence, not bring me down. The psychologist I have been seeing for the past 3 years feels more like a friend to me, rather than a detached medical professional. I have been very fortunate in getting help from him. It has been a gradual process and there is still work to be done, so don't expect to see instant results. It took about a year for me to break bad habits. I think the training mental health professionals receive is constantly improving as research reveals more about what is helpful (and what is not), so I would recommend you have a couple of visits with the psychologist you have been directed to, and see how you feel about their approach. You can always cancel future appointments if you are unhappy with how things are going. Or, if it's not going so well and you're feeling brave: I think most psychologists would appreciate constructive criticism, so tell them how you feel they can meet your needs and hopefully they will adapt. I hope you have a good experience with a psychologist this time!

Yana

[Guest5643]

Thanks Yana8216 and lonelydan. Lonelydan i was gobsmacked reading what the psychologist told you. Good on you for reporting him. I'm happy for you yana you've got a great relationship with yours. I wasn't allowed to quit when i wanted because its under the system type thing. They said they decide when i can leave. I had to play happy to the psychiatrist as well cause he also had to give the go ahead to sign me off. I don't know what they would actually do if you just stop turning up.

[Simonsays2019]

My experience with psychologists is that they are not of much help.

Some say inappropriate things but mostly they don’t know how to help.

There’s no harm in talking to someone and just the fact of talking may help reduce psychological pressure but I would not expect a psychologist to have answers.

Psychiatrists are probably less helpful. I saw one for regular sessions some years ago. After I’d tried all the drugs he prescribed and found they didn’t work, he said I had ‘treatment-resistant’ depression and that there wasn’t anything more he could do for me. He then dropped me as a patient. (He was working at one of Sydney’s biggest and best hospitals, which is where I saw him.)

So, I’d have low expectations of the person you see. See them but just don’t expect they will have the answers.

Somehow we we have to find the answers for ourselves.

[Guest5643]

Hi simonsays2019. Welcome to the forums i noticed its your first post. I couldn't agree with you more. Like you said somethimes we have to find the answers for ourselves. And from my experience they can do more harm than good. What gets annoying is anytime you feel unwell the immediate response is see a psychologist or psychiatrist. Just like veterinarians can do more harm than good and can get things wrong on a regular basis. My gut tells me its a bad idea to see a psychologist. And my head says to see one so if i have a bad day i can say yes i am seeing one. I do things to please others more than myself. I'm sorry bout meds not helping you. It took me yrs of trialing different drugs with horrible side effects to find a perfect combo over 20yrs to help with severe depression and severe ocd at the time. I hope your doing ok and have been able to help yourself along the way.