New member

[Kimbers]

Hi everyone, I am a new member and it actually took me a while to come here. Just to let you know a bit about me. I had a TIA (mini stroke) on 11/10 at school (where I am a primary teacher - year 2). I now fine myself very anxious about being by myself in case I have another TIA or being at school teaching in case I have another one in front of the kids, taking painkillers as I took two before I had the TIA (even though I know the TIA wasn't caused by the asprin), letting my work colleagues down because I am taking time off work etc. I have had one appt with a clinical pyschcologist which I did not find helpful so have decided to see if I can find any type of coping strategies online so I can get back to being me.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Kimbers,

Welcome to the forums and thank you for deciding to join us. I hope that you'll find this place to be a good community.

I'm sorry to hear about your TIA; I can see how it would be making you very anxious and I think it would be totally natural to do everything in your power to try and avoid another one.

You mentioned in your post that you saw a psychologist but didn't find it helpful; would you mind sharing what happened there or the things that he/she mentioned?

RT

[Kimbers]

Hi RT, the physiologist didn't really listen to me. When I said I'm very emotional now, more,so then before, he said,that crying was good and healthy, he was also asking about how,I show my anger and the fact that I don't really get angry might be a cause of the stroke (he kept saying stroke not TIA), told me that I was intelligent enough to,look up the causes of a stroke online and that should put my mind at ease. He didn't look at my referral or ask me what I wanted from him nor any suggestions on what I could do before our next meeting. Starting to think this might all just be in my mind and nothing to worry about at all except for the fact that I am hesitate to go back to work.

[Croix]

Dear Kimbers~

I hope you and RT do not mind me joining the conversation. Having a TIA is a physical event, and to worry about it, and possible repetition, is entirely natural. There are many thngs in our bodies we cannot realy directly control and as a result anxiety builds.

I was recently in hospital with chest pain (I'm an excellent candidate for a heart attack) and although it turned out to be non-threatening I still worry about it - and recurrence.

The psychologist you saw does not seem to be the right match for you. Not looking at your referral for pertinent information strikes me as unusual, though in fairness he may have been in contact with your doctor.

By offering an implication the TIA might caused by suppression of anger I suspect he is entering the domain of a qualified medical practitioner, not part of his training. Similarly not emphasizing it was a TIA rather than full stoke seems insensitive.

Recommending the internet as a source of medical information, unless he gave a specific site, also seems somewhat prone to misinterpretation

If your doctor has examined you physically and diagnosed the event a TIA, and called in any specialists that might be appropriate then your doctor's advice on any precautions is the thing to follow.

That still leaves you with anxiety about the event happening again, and in this area I'm sure a psychologist or therapist might be appropriate - to help you cope with and lessen the worry.

For that to happen a trusting relationship in which you feel comfortable, understand the approach and have confidence in the therapist are all crucial.

May I suggest you return to your doctor, set out your concerns and request an alternative therapist? This is not something highly unusual, many do, and should be treated with consideration for your welfare above all.

Please let us know how you get on

Croix

[Kimbers]

Hi Croix, thanks for your comments. I'm not sure about going back to my doctor because it might seem like I'm complaining, I'm not sure. Maybe I'm not giving the therapist enough time to build a relationship with him. I have an amazing daughter who at the moment is studying medicine and doing a mental health rotation. She rings every second day to see how I'm going and find out what I have done so that is a big support for me, as is my other daughter and husband. To put it all into perspective I am getting better at being alone (hubby returning to work forced me to face this) and doing small things by myself ie errands to the shop, but it is the returning to work that is really freaking me out.

[smallwolf]

Hi Kimbers,

firstly let me extend a welcome to you here on the forums.

You mentioned in your first post that you did not find the 1st session with a psychologist helpful. All that I can remember from my first session was installing 2 apps on my phone and recommendation to go back to GP to get a mental health plan. Otherwise it was quite clinical. I am unsure how long it took for the relationship to build. At the time I was also glad that my associate the feelings i had with anxiety.

At the same time, I also know some people that have only had one visit to a psychologist because it did not work out. On a different note, someone suggested to me that I see a spiritual director, and I walked away feeling very dissatisfied with what had just happened.

So if it did not click with the psychologist, it is OK to go back to the GP for another chat or recommendation.

You have also recognised gains you have made towards the end of your post. I was told by my psychologist to remember how far I have come rather how far I might have to go. Along with Croix, I will listen to you, and sit with you as you tell your story.

Tim

[Croix]

Dear Kimbers~

From your account of that psychologist I think it would take a lot of time to build up a good relationship, even if that were possible. If you are on a mental health plan you only have a limited number of subsidized visits and they are precious and not to be wasted.

As I result in your shoes I would go back to my GP and at least discuss the matter. They are all there to make you better, to support you now you have a worry based upon that TIA.

Learning to cope with that is the one thing you can control, and leads to a better life, so professional help in coping is only sensible, not distractions with fresh problems.

I'm so pleased you have people around you they care and want to support you, it makes a huge difference.

Your husband being at work too makes hugged difference, and the life you had become used o changes, hopefully not too much.

Work? Well how do you get on with your supervisor, an understanding person can make a world of difference and take a lot of the pressure off. Often it is pressure one puts on oneself, one of my failings.

Croix

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Kimbers,

Thank you for your posts and I'm glad to see that other people have jumped in to offer some great support in this thread too.

Honestly - that does sound very unhelpful! Looking at the causes of the stroke might be informative but probably not very comforting! and while anger (or stress in general) could probably be a risk for a TIA it doesn't sound like you got much from the appointment. Tim is also right though in that it could be helpful to go back and let them know they were off track and what you need.

I think that it's totally natural and understandable that you'd be hesitant going to work. While it's not the same, I have episodes where I lose consciousness - and I too have had to somehow come to terms with the fact it's totally out of my control.

You mentioned that you were able to leave the house a little bit alone - how do you think this is different to going back to work? What are the things that scare you the most?

The other resource that might be helpful for you is Stroke Australia. They support people with all types of strokes including TIA, and they even have a hotline you can ring - 1800 787 653. I'm suggesting this one because they'll get it - they might be able to give you some reassurance and maybe even some practical advice.

RT