What to do when you can't afford counselling?

[idog2866]

I was diagnosed with acute anxiety with depressive symptoms and have been on medication for 2-3 yrs. While the medication helps I quite often don't think the dosage is enough. This is having a horrendous effect on how I treat my wife and children. My moods are horrific and I have no patience at all. My biggest issue is I just can't afford to see a counsellor yet think that this is an essential part of dealing with this. I need to talk to someone. I keep driving my wife away and making my children fear me because I'm yelling all the time. Does anyone know of options regarding being able to talk to someone where it doesn't cost the earth. I know I need to see my DR to get the dosage increased but even that's hard to do. I know how I'm acting is wrong but I just can't help myself.

[blondguy]

Hi idog

Welcome to the forums and good you for posting too!

Im really sorry that you are going this dark period. I have been through the same and there is a way out

It takes time patience and dogged determination but you will get better

I couldnt afford counselling either back in the 1980's so my GP arranged an appointment with a mental health worker in a public hospital. I had chronic anxiety and just saw whoever was available. Your GP can organise this for you. Even a psychiatric nurse is a huge help who I ended up seeing every week for 7 months.

You can ask for an appointment with a public psychiatrist no worries. No charge. I liked the nurse I saw and has been one of the best down to earth counselors I have ever seen. They now their stuff very well idog

You have great strength to post on here idog. I hope you can make a double appt with your GP to assist with your meds and get a referral to visit a psych in the public system.

You dont need to be going through this hell. The people are there to help you.

One of the keys to finding peace for you (and your family) is making the appointments as frequent as you can. I had weekly which really gave me my life back. I still see my GP for a 'tune up' every month now and take meds for depression since 1996.

I really hope you can let us know how you go

please be gentle with yourself

Paul