WHERE TO FIND THE "RIGHT" HELP FOR ME

[JOYOUSHOPE]

Where to get proper help?

Im not sure how to put this without it sounding like a
ramble, but ill try.

I know I have suffered from depression for many years now. I
have been on medication for over 10 years.

I have seen a psychologist for a period of time and
understood where it should go but I didn’t seem to know what to do.

My weight being a major part in how I think I have also had
a couple of weight loss surgeries to help me, though small success for me,
would be considered a failure in the eyes of the doctor who did the operation,
which is why I cant go back for help, to see the look in his eyes.

Through this surgery I did see a psychologist connected with
the procedure and thought this would be exactly what I needed as she saw others
in my situation and finally someone who could relate.

She was nice and yes I saw her for a few years, but when I actually
thought about our appointments and what I got out of them, was not much. I
talked for an hour about whats been happening and provided entertainment
through some online dating stories and family crap and I always felt good when I
left because I made someone laugh.

I know I need to talk to someone.

I know I want to talk to someone.

How do you find the right person to help?

Talk to your doctor, do the mental health questionnaire,
they suggest someone to see (not sure if they just pluck someone they know or
have their business card on hand ).

It has to be someone that you feel comfortable with,
understanding and patient and not someone that goes through the “text book” psychology
list of things to try as such.

So where do I start to find the right help?

[Guest_1055]

Hello JOYOUSHOPE

Oh my gosh, I have to tell you that you have helped me to laugh. I am so thankful for you... When I clicked on your new thread here, the first thing that greeted me was this cute little kitty cat. Which looks like it has a piece of cut out fruit on its head. A nice safety helmet..... Way good

Anyway here is now a thankful welcome to you....

I have read other replies to different members, and one of the things that I noticed, is that it can take a while sometimes to find the right psychologist. Also I am pretty sure, you can call the Beyond Blue 1300...... number and they may be able to advise further. 

Also starting to post on here is a good start in a way too. You may start to feel you are not alone in this journey. And there a lots of members that give good advice too. Maybe one of them can also point you more in the direction of how to find the "right" person.

You can keep posting on here too, most of us will relate in some way to you. 

So welcome again and if you like hugs.... I am sending you one.

Shelley xx

[blondguy]

Hi Joyoushope

I just have to echo Shelley's comment on your pic.....absolutly sensational...Love it! Made me laugh here..

I understand where you are coming from..A good doc can be hard to find. I was stuck a few years ago with agoraphobia and I called the local council and they sent out a psychiatric nurse...Total flook..ended up seeing him every 2 weeks for 3 months...I wish he was still around..

I use my GP  now who is very tuned in and is a great listener too...He 'keeps me in check'

You are very welcome to post your comments and thoughts on the forums too...We could always do with someone like you Joy

Kind Thoughts and thankyou for having the courage to post

Paul

[Neil_1]

Hi there JH (though your name out in full has wonderful connotations as well, “Joyous Hope”)

Welcome to Beyond Blue and oh wow, what a post you’ve provided.  You’ve written it as though I was partly answering some of your questions, if that makes sense.  In that, you’ve posed questions in there, but at the same time with other things that you’ve already been doing, I believe you’ve hit the answers – well, from my point of view.

May I ask first up … 10 years on meds … is that the same meds?   You’ve come to Beyond Blue to find help with someone to talk to and I’ll get to that, but I just wanted to see perhaps if you thought there was a need for a possible medication review?  Like, do you feel that they’re still doing the job for you?  Just a thought.

With regard to your weight and the doctor that you used previously, is there any option where you are to get to a different doctor?  OR is it possible to try that doctor again?  Do you feel that could be an option – do you really feel that the doctor didn’t think the procedure worked as it should?  The thing I perceived out of that was that “you” felt there was a slight success – and to me, that’s a positive.

The psychologist that you used to see – reading it seems to me that you obviously felt comfortable and had a repour with this person.  That is a huge thing to find with a treating professional – obviously the next stage is to then have that person be able to handle all that is spoken to them and provide appropriate advice, feedback, support and assistance to you.  But again, I read that you left those appointments feeling good.

The thing with going through the whole process again of getting back to your GP and to discuss another possible psych is to then go through with the new psych all of the background, history that needs to be spoken about.  I’m not saying that this isn’t something that should be shied away from, because we all have to do it from time to time – just part of this process, this cycle that we are involved in.

I guess what I’m saying here (in a most round about manner – and if you spent any time with me, you’d soon get very giddy) do you think it could be worthwhile to give your current psych another go?

I hope something of my above ramblings have hit the spot, even to a small degree;  and I would really love to hear back from you.

Neil

[gloria10]

As someone who has had depression for the same time frame as yourself  I understand how hard it is to find the right professional support.  I have tried numerous psychologists but I found that some either just talk has if its a regular chat but don't provide any real advice. My psychiatrist however does listen and provides the most active solutions which have been helpful.

I would recommend trying a few different ones, GP's can provide a few different names or the yellow pages has a list of psychologists available. At least that way trying a few you can see which one fits best and go from there.

Have you also looked into support groups? They can be a great start for getting on track.

All the best!

[JOYOUSHOPE]

Haha Shelley, its my favourite photo, makes me smile.

I know it can take time to find the right psyc, im impatient and want the right person, the right help first time. I suppose if it takes too long ill give up and think its me and my fault and there is no one out there to help me.

I will keep trying 🙂

Thanks for the kind welcome 

[JOYOUSHOPE]

Thanks Paul and yes I hope that I will find the right help one day. I know I have to be persistent but those dam good and bad days can hinder progress lol.........will keep on it

[JOYOUSHOPE]

Hi Neil

I know exactly what you mean, that I sound like I know the answers to my issues and deep down I think I do, but I find my mind is like a very fast merry go round, in the fog, in the dark of night, with loud non distinct noise, so I cant see straight, think straight, hear or feel straight.......makes sense to me lol, but not lol

Yes medication for 10 years or so. I have had it altered over the years, up and down, but I want to feel even half normal and not take pills.

With the weight loss surgery, you would go back and be weighed every month and let them know any issues you were having etc. He would always remind me that it is possible to stretch your stomach back to some degree and that can lead to weight gain. He gave me an example of a patient and used the words "fat greedy pig" and I knew then I could never go back because if I hadn't lost enough or put on weight, id be the "fat greedy pig" and even though he wouldn't say that to me, id always remember what he said. I know its more than likely I have blown in out of all proportion, but that's my great mind at its finest lol. ( aka self sabotage ) 🙂

I know when im in a god frame of mind I will take the time to talk to my GP and be persistent on finding what works well for me.

Appreciate you taking the time to respond Neil, thanks

[JOYOUSHOPE]

Hi Gloria

I totally agree with you and that's how I felt with the last psyc, great chats, had a laugh but no real advice. I felt like I was paying for a friend for an hour for a chat and a giggle.

I have thought about support groups and have googled galore, but the same old problem, which one is for me, where do you start and then the dam anxiety of taking that step......arghhhhh I sound like a fruit cake lol and could write a book of excuses couldn't I.......

Thanks for acknowledging you also had troubles finding the right psyc, gives me hope and need to keep searching....

Joy

[blondguy]

Morning Joy

Great for you to respond and be on here Nice1

You are right about the ups and downs being a pain...Understand you there. I think Gloria has nailed this one with the psychiatrist being of great value...The only reason I mentioned a GP is that there is a lot less pressure and 'stigma' associated in seeing one..

Who ever you see with enable to heal and rebuild your health. Even if you barge in and when the doc asks you how you are..come straight out and say 'terrified' Their training is much much better than what it used to be in the '80s when I wanted to heal

Be kind to yourself Joy 🙂

Paul