How Psychotherapy saved my life - after being on medications for 10 years

[MentalHealthismypriority]

I’ve never used beyond blue before until now. For the past 10 years I was seeing a psychiatrist who I believe was doing the best it thought he new. By the end I was on a cocktail of medication- 6 different antipsychotics and antidepressants and off-label used medication. After several suicide attempts And more in patient hospital visits that I can count, I new I needed to change course. I changed psychiatrists - I started seeing a woman who works using ACT therapy and in the past year I have been slowly tappering off all of my medication whilst seeing an incredible psychologist to help we develop vital DBT skills - to make a life worth living. After 10 years of feeling like a zombie and not being able to have any stable relationships. I feel like I am almost back.. or my eyes have been opened. I was diagnosed with everything over that 10 year period and to think now that I never needed any medication that whole time - just life skills still blows my mind. I am almost completely off my last antidepressant- we all know the joys of those withdrawals but what’s getting me through is the skills I have learnt and learning about how serotonin literally effects everything in your body. My life has never been better I’m so lucky - now approaching 30 that I have discovered a new way of treatment. I encourage every single person in the world to see a psychologist once in their life for any reason - you have to put a lot of work in every day but in the long run it pays off. I’d rather take the good and the bad emotions any day then be stuck like a zombie for the rest of my life. I don’t know if anyone will read this but I just felt like I wanted to tell someone that there are SOOO many options out there. Do your research. Your doctors are just people at the end of the day and they do not know everything.

[Tay100]

Hi MentalHealthismypriority

Wow, thanks for posting- your insight means a lot to our community, and I'm glad you are able to be resilient and learn things about yourself in the face of your struggle. I love your username too actually- it's what we are all about!

What advice would you give to anyone seeking out a second opinion on their mental health or maybe seeking out a psychologist for the first time? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Sending kindness,

Tay100

[Guest_1643]

Hi MH,

Thank you for your post. I have some similarities completely in my journey. It wasn't just medication for me - as I also saw a psychiatrit who didn't prescribe medication - but the whole experience of psychiatry that didn't teach me skills and help me heal. I've also benefited so much from ACT and mindfulness and more structured therapies.

Hi Tay - I'll let MH respond and thanks for askig that great question. Thanks again MH for sharing and congratulations on finding the right help for you. I wish it weren't so, but it's actually a very tricky and confusing process sometimes, so to find your feet and find the right practioner and modality is amazing in itself

[Mesh77]

Hi I am on anti depressants. I had my partners birthday the other day and her friend said something hurtful so I left with no explanation.when I mis my medication I get so many self worthless thougoing inside my head . So instead of telling her I left. I miss her and now we have separated. This is my first time reaching out as I use alcohol and in the past drugs to blanket my thoughts. But now it’s hard to bounce back. Can I do this by getting back into excercise and doing this with meds alone.

[MentalHealthismypriority]

Hi Tay100,

thank you for your response! I really wasn’t expecting anyone to read my post. But felt like telling a stranger just a little bit about my long journey.

to answer your question about advice. One of my biggest lessons learnt is that all doctors- regardless of their status/education/experience are human beings at the end of the day. Take what in particular GPs say with a grain of salt. No one knows everything and all the answers. I feel like if we could all use a ‘curious’ approach to our feelings/thoughts this helps also. For me in particular I felt as though my psychiatrist who I saw for 10 years was quite old school in his approach to treatment and was very quick to diagnose and push many many many medications. And because at the time I had complete faith in him I went with it. Unfortunately in the end this all made things a lot worse - after never being told that seeing a psychologist was a option and my last of many suicide attempts I realised the effect on my family and partner was very very very bad. I decided to do my own research on facts based on evidence on what medication does to the body and how every body is different in their chemistry. It’s amazing how serotonin literally effects everything in your body and mind. Sorry for the tangent! My advice simply is to do your research on your future doctor - just because a gp has recommended one doesn’t mean it’s right for you. And once you meet them give yourself time to form a connection and if you feel as though it’s not working try a different mental health professional. One of my biggest lessons also learnt is you have to put in as much work as your health care provider because it’s your life at the end of the day. You are in control. I hope this helps and thank you for your reply !

[MentalHealthismypriority]

I agree! It’s all about finding the perfect fitting practitioner! ACT is an amazing skill and one that requires constant attention and learning. Good for you!

I wish these amazing life skills/tools were being implemented at schools for young children. It would of saved me a lot of confusion in life and would of been very validating!

[MentalHealthismypriority]

Hi lovely,

i am so sorry to hear all of that! It sounds like you are feeling all sorts of confusing feelings and thoughts. we are all trying to do our best.

I am just speaking from my experience but I know for me - alcohol and ANY medication do not result in anything good. I think you would really benefit from seeing a combination of a good psychologist and psychiatrist! But you’ve got to be willing to open up Pandora’s box of course, in your own time when you are ready. Exercise is great we all know that but setting expectations puts pressure on us and then we feel bad because we didn’t achieve them. Start slow... be kind to yourself, show yourself self compassion. You have every reason to feel the way you do. I hope things get easier for you xx

[Guest_1643]

Agreed ACT is a really helpful skill !!
It's really helped me too - I always think about that -

I wish we'd learnt in school about standing up for yourself and being assertive - i feel that as a woman life gave me the message to be NICE above all else.
Nice is overrated. Being assertive isn't mean.

I would've loved to have learnt some mindfulness too. But it's so great you've found some great tools now... it's a great help

[SapereAude]

Hi MentalHealthismypriority,

Congratulations on joining the forum and thank you for sharing your remarkable story. I'm very pleased you are improving and happier.

I think at the end of the day a GP is a first point of medical contact to help point you in the right direction. Whether it be for mental health, cardiac issues or another ailment, they will help to connect you to a specialist who can treat you best. That's not trying to disrespect our GP's and ER doctors who do an amazing job - but they can't be expected to know of every medical condition and its expert treatment.

I think your point about finding the right psychiatrist is excellent. If unhappy with your treatment or professional, find another for a different opinion.

I'll also have a look and learn more about ACT too. I'm glad it helped you.

I hope you are happy to continue to post on our forum.

Take care.

[Tay100]

Hi MentalHealthismypriority

Thanks for the detailed response, your insight is really valued and will surely help more people than you know. I agree; agency as a patient, doing your own research, having healthy curiosity and seeking second opinions are critical to getting the most out of the health system and out of the doctor-patient relationship!

Cheers!

Tay100