To continue seeing my psychologist and miss school?

[SarahLulu]

Hi guys,

This year I'll be doing year 11, I'm doing my 1st year of VCE. My problem is that the mental health service that I go through runs from 9-5. I don't know if it will be worth missing school for.

I stress when I have to catch up on notes. I struggle with severe depression and anxiety and last year missed essentially half the year because of hospital admissions, visits and appointments. I was given heaps of lee way due to it only being year 10. Year 11 is different.

I'm on meds and will continue to be on there but don't know if it's worth missing school to see my psychologist. The used to see my psychologist once a week and in rough time twice. I think I'd be happy dropping that down to once a fortnight but I'm still not comfortable missing so much class as that just gives me more homework which stresses me more which can spiral me down into a depressive episode. On the other hand, I'm not sure how I'm going to go not seeing anyone!? I haven't seen my psychologist over summer as I've been away and it's been very up and down. Not sure what to do.

Thanks for your help.

[SarahLulu]

Another thing. The therapist I have been seeing I've only seen about 3 times as I was going through orygen, but now headspace. She doesn't like to use the 4pm appointment which would make my life easier as she wants go get home to her family, understandably. I also don't really connect with her. Is it possible to change? How do I go about doing that?

[blondguy]

Hello Sarah

Welcome and good on you for having the courage to post!

I apologise that you havent had a response yet. We are usually quick

I understand where are coming from as I used to take time off once a week from work for treatment for my depression. It was a pain with work but hung in there.

You are a bright and intelligent person who has been pro-active by having a counsellor engaged..Good on you.

I appreciate your workload where school is concerned. Whether you reduce the visits to fortnightly would depend on the severity of your symptoms/condition.

Just humble opinion but from what you have written, weekly sounds like the healthier option.

How long have you been going to this counsellor? If its only a few visits try to persevere with her. It can take some time for her to establish the best way to help you heal.

If you are adamant about changing counsellors maybe a phone call to the mental health service clinic to change your therapist....so you can have a 4pm appointment. Thats fair enough

I think you are an incredible person for coping with school commitments as well as the health service too!

You are more than welcome to post back as many times as you wish. I really hope you can 🙂

my kind thoughts

Paul

[gld]

Hi SarahLulu,

Wow, you are so in touch with a your need to continue to see your psychologist twice a week when you are unwell and also your feelings that occur when you miss too much school.

Is there a way you could pre book a fortnightly appointment after school hours so you do not have to take time off or just an afternoon off during subjects that are easy to catch up on. When i was going to school i found there were subjects that i found easier than others which meant i could slack off a little more or a spare at the end of the day and support through teachers who i gelled with that could help me catch up when needed.

I feel it is vital you continue to do things that are improving your mental well being and yes what you are saying about grade eleven being connected to VCE but if you become unwell it could be more difficult to regain the control you are currently experiencing. School is not the be all and end all so there is nothing saying if you do not get the grades you want you can not redo a year to achieve the desired grades.

Be kind to yourself by stepping back from self doubt that missing a little school will cause you to fail your goals. Put some time into looking after you so you are able to get to better outcomes on your own personal journey.

Gen

[SarahLulu]

Hi Gen and Paul,

Thankyou very much for your kind works. I will see if I can pre-book my appointments every week to 4pm but will have to leave school maybe 20min early which isnt too bad and will have to change counsellors.

Paul, I connected so well with my old psychologist who unfortunately changed jobs, my now therapist has a different approach and I don't really like it. I might give her another few shots and persevere tho.

Gen, yeah your right, i suppose if i dont look after my mental health then my motivation and mood will come down with it.

Thankyou so much

[gld]

Hi SarahLulu,

I feel you get more out of treatment from health professionals that you feel comfortable with. In appointments it is good to have an open line of communication, asking questions, telling them when you feel something may or may not be working for you. This sometimes helps develop an environment to feel comfortable as well as shopping around because it is vital that you find someone you could work towards the direction you want to go in.

Look after yourself and find the support that works for you.

Gen