When I seek professional help I get multiple diagnosis, multiple treatment options

KaraArtist · ‎12-07-2016

I feel like I am nothing, worthless, hopeless. I don't know what direction to turn, when I seek professional help I get multiple diagnosis, multiple treatment options and they HATE when I say that I don't like to take medication because every one I have tried has caused side affects, that for me, were worse than the actual problem. I just want to stop feeling like this. it seems like no matter what I do I always end up back here. I have moved to the town I love, have an amazing fiance', stopped working due to consistent migraines and this has had a positive affect on my moods, and I have let go of all the poisonous people in my life. Yet I find myself back here, in the dark. Now what do I do?

JessF · ‎12-07-2016

Hello Kara, it sounds like you've been on a right merry go round with professional help. I can understand why you've been turned off by medication if you've had a lot of bad side effects. What other options have been suggested in the past? Have you tried any kind of psychotherapy?

KaraArtist · ‎12-07-2016

Hi JessF,

Thank you for joining the discussion. I find just talking about it helps a lot.

In answer to your question, yes I have tried many different things and seen, psychologists, psychiatrists and Therapists. have lived with this beast since i was about 8 years old. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (do you know it?) has helped me to get to where I am now, I was in a much darker scarier place before then. Although I still have these episodes i will no longer EVER be at risk of hurting myself because of CBT, but I have reached my limits as to how much it can help, I think. I have even written a book on living with depression, seeing a publisher later this week. I also paint as a way to release. I just sometimes get like i am today and it's hard to breath, hard to move. so none of these helpful things get done. These are times I reach out like I have here.

I'm open to suggestions, i know there must be more out there that I have yet to try. I am soon to look at natural therapies, to help with migraines and hormonal balance, as i believe that physical health will likely have a positive affect on my mental state.

Poodlejewel · ‎12-07-2016

It is so hard to find a doctor on the same thinking or at least willing to listen to other alternatives, I am having the same thing. They want me to take so many meds, and when I talk about my nervousness and panic attacks he just says what are you panicking about. ?? Stop worrying. Unless someone has experienced this they don't understand that it just comes from nowhere. Sometimes I have the nicest day then bang it hits me for no reason. I read so many things on the Internet and he just says it's not true. I listen to stuff on YouTube and have started Tapping.

Guest_1055 · ‎12-07-2016

Hello Kara

That is pretty cool that you have written a book. Way good! I definitely know what that feels the hopeless and the worthless. I am sorry you feel this. But as you probably are aware this is the depression talking and it tells us big fat lies. Sometimes we just need a reminder of that.

If you want to talk more or write more, please do, sometimes it does help just to let it all out. Are you able to just get outside and walk for a little while? It may help. I too am looking into natural ways to heal my body. Mainly changing what I choose to eat. What I have discovered so far is to avoid eating refined sugars and eat plenty of veggies especially green leafy ones. And also avoid processed foods, so eat more wholefoods etc. I have been reading a lot about how our bodies are affected by what we choose to eat.

I would be interested to know what you find out in regards to natural therapies.

I hope you soon start to feel better

Love

Shell xx

KaraArtist · ‎12-07-2016

Hi Shelley Anne,

Thank you, writing my book has strengthened my bond with my mother and helped her to see me better and herself, it has been a tool of healing for me. I plan to contact beyond Blue when it's published and share it with them.

I am sorry to hear that you can relate but glad to talk to people who do. Yes I know that it's just an episode, I am not truly these things i feel but as you know it's very helpful to get it out.

Yes i will likely post my results when i finally get going on the natural therapies, keep your eyes open for it haha

I just don't want to go outside. I do have plans for Friday night that I've locked myself in for so this will be of great help to me, i will be learning a new tabletop game, I am sure to get beneficial emotions from it 🙂 plus social activity and outside of my house.

KaraArtist · ‎12-07-2016

hi Poodlejewel,

yes, I have had good and bad doctors and phsycs. one doctor's reply to me when I told him I would prefer to find a non medication method was, 'well Kara, there are two types of people with mental illness, those that want to get better and will try anything and those who don't' he completely missed my point and insulted me,made me feel like an idiot. needless to say i stopped going to him.

yes we are definitely not alone in our struggles. there are so many of us living with varying degrees of mental health issues. i can relate to what you're saying about it coming on for no reason. it's what has happened to me this week. I have a wonderful life, a wonderful partner,everything is wonderful. but I woke up today,after days of it slowly creeping up on me, and felt completely worthless.

Lost_Girl · ‎12-07-2016

Hi Kara,

I suffer from a chronic tension headache which I have had every waking hour for nearly a year. I have tried a number of ADs that were meant to help with the headache as well as my emotional state. They did pull me out of the dark hole I was in but did nothing for the headache. The side effects became severe for me with any increase so I had to stop.

My depression was caused only by the pain. I have found a neurologist who recommended botox injections as an alternative to ADs. So far the treatment has reduced my headache from severe to mild most of the time and it is expected that further treatment will work cumulatively in terms of results. He looks at things holistically which means as well as the injections I also do pilates, have physio and need to look at weight loss and also look at relaxation techniques, distraction and mindfulness.

This type of treatment has proven successful for migraines too according to my neuroband the articles I have read. Perhaps this is an option you could consider.

My first neurologist had said my only option was ADs and to keep increasing strength and type until one worked. I had to find a new one willing to look at alternatives and am so pleased I did as none of the ADs had helped the headache at all.

Kind thoughts,

Carol

KaraArtist · ‎12-07-2016

Hi Lost Girl,

Thank you! I will ask my doctor about this option when I see him next. I never considered Botox, although I did read about it somewhere ... definitely worth a look. I get migraine everyday and have lost one job after another because of this. I now have the option of staying home and being a damn amazing housewife but it would be nice if I could at least hold down a casual job to bring in some extra cash and get me out of the house.

And thank you for sharing your story, I'm glad to hear that you had some success, shows me there is hope

Kara

Guest_1055 · ‎12-07-2016

I am glad the bond was strengthened with your mother. It would help to not feel so alone knowing she understood I am guessing. And maybe she is proud of you for writing a book. It will probably be very helpful and beneficial to others.

What sort of table top games do you like? I like playing games like pictionary, scattergories, uno, dice games etc.

Also there is another person on these forums that does art, it might well be painting too. Her profile name is "hopeforjoy". I guess painting would be like an outlet, you could just paint your emotions out or something. I am just guessing there, as I don't really know. Though I do appreciate certain art work. My profile picture is a painting. I don't know who painted it.

Oh if you wanted to play any games on here, there is a couple in the community zone. Some word ones. As well as a CAFE, the CAFE is having a Christmas in July, it has been going on all day. So please feel free to just pop in.

Love

Shell xx