Deciding to get help

  • Thread starter Thread starter shondrea
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OPk, yeah, so, my appointment is tomorrow, and I’m freaked as all heck
 
dear shon, of course you’re scared. this is so new. but you’re so brave. God is with you. our prayers are with you. your guardian angel is with you. Our blessed Mother is with you.

and you, Shon, you’re with you, too. you’re hearing your gut, even over the din of your familiy’s opposition. you’re taking your concerns for yourself seriously. you’re willing to brave up and do things-- scary things-- that will be positive changes for you. you’ve asked for guidance and you’re going to sit right down and let that guidance guide you.

you sleep well tonight knowing that you’re so much braver then you maybe once thought.
 
shondrea said:
I guess I’m just scared that it’s not gonna do any good. Everyone keeps saying all they’re gonna do is put me on pills and send me on my way
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Shondrea, as someone who has seen a fair share of psychology experts, I can say this is definitely not true.

They need to know the whole extent of your struggles. They will ask you about your past (memories, traumas, etc.), your present (stresses, hobbies, thoughts, etc.) and your future (goals, fears, hopes, etc.)

It is a very thorough procedure, provided you stick with it.

I found out through their help that I have ADHD and anxiety problems. I had been struggling staying out of trouble in school before then. While I am always a little wary towards having to take medications, the pills I am currently taking have made a great impact on my life. I can distinctly tell when I forgot to take my Concerta (ADHD meds) as I feel an incredible amount of nervous energy and lack of focus. Likewise, when I forget my anxiety meds, I begin focusing on so many fears that I sometimes burst into tears.

They will only prescribe you medications if they determine that your disorders are a result of chemical imbalances. For some people, treatment comes through the form of simply talking with the psychologist and exploring the issues they are struggling with (therapy). There’s more treatments that are used than just medication.

Be trusting for the most part, but be wary if they start telling you things that seem to go against Catholic teaching. I can personally say I have not encountered this problem yet. Usually that will only be an issue if one is dealing with issues related to sexuality. Consult with a priest as well.
 
Thank you for your encoouragement, onica. Though i don’t think it will be bravery, but Benadryl, that will help me sleep tonight 😉

@ Pres- it’s good to hear from someone who’s had success, considering all I’m getting back fro people I tell is that they don’t know why I’m bothering wasting my money on this since it won’t work.

There may be some sort of imbalance, and I’m not adverse to taking medication if it is, but I’m fairly sure I can trace the ajority of my anxiety and emotional issues to the way I was raised. A lot of isolation, lot of neglect, not a lot of support or help. This spans emotionally, medically (I’ve got a visual problem thanks to my dad’s pride) I mean, growing up, I wasn’t even allowed to play with my own brothers and sisters. Playdate was a word I’d never heard, and for most of my childhood the only children I ever interacted with were all in my head. See, I could give you a laundry list of things that are wrong with me, but I don’t know how to shop for solutions. I guess when I start thinking about it, I sound like one giant psychotherapy cliche. Daddy complex, mommy issues, trauatic childhood- it’s like a sitcom waiting to happen
 
shondrea said:
Thank you for your encoouragement, onica. Though i don’t think it will be bravery, but Benadryl, that will help me sleep tonight 😉

@ Pres- it’s good to hear from someone who’s had success, considering all I’m getting back fro people I tell is that they don’t know why I’m bothering wasting my money on this since it won’t work.

There may be some sort of imbalance, and I’m not adverse to taking medication if it is, but I’m fairly sure I can trace the ajority of my anxiety and emotional issues to the way I was raised. A lot of isolation, lot of neglect, not a lot of support or help. This spans emotionally, medically (I’ve got a visual problem thanks to my dad’s pride) I mean, growing up, I wasn’t even allowed to play with my own brothers and sisters. Playdate was a word I’d never heard, and for most of my childhood the only children I ever interacted with were all in my head. See, I could give you a laundry list of things that are wrong with me, but I don’t know how to shop for solutions. I guess when I start thinking about it, I sound like one giant psychotherapy cliche. Daddy complex, mommy issues, trauatic childhood- it’s like a sitcom waiting to happen
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See what I mean? Our mind is a very fragile thing. You are not a cliche, though, your experience is unique to you and yourself. God loves you. He wants you to be at peace.

One thing you must remember is that the healing process is continuous. I still struggle with my issues to this day (some of my posts on this site can confirm that). But overall, I know that I am much better off having addressed these issues than just letting them be.

Someday, when you are further along in the healing process, I shall tell you more about my own experiences, particularly a period in my life where it seemed I was headed straight for disaster, and how the help of others saved me.
 
I spose. I just still feel so guilty about making people go out of their way to accomidate what I feel like is my little tantrum for attention. I know you’ll say that’s not true, but that’s how it feels
 
Your problem is you haven’t gotten the attention you NEED. It’s high time.

No one is being inconvenienced by you getting healthy. And you don’t need to discuss any of your treatment with anyone. No family, parents, friends…

You don’t have to tell us either unless you think it can help. But really, it’s between you and the doctor like your confession is between you and the priest.

It’s not an inconvenience. It’s what the doctor is there for!

If you had a broken bone, would you say going to the doctor was a little tantrum for attention?

Not at all! This is similar.

Just talking it out with someone who doesn’t minimize your pain or tell you you imagined it, or tell you to “snap out of it” or whatever other harmful things have been said to you… someone will finally hear you. THAT is healing! 👍
 
The thing is, my family thinks it’s their bussiness. I’m still living at home. I’m an adult, college age. but have none of the freedom that comes with it, including living in an isolated area and having to rely on the kindness of family and friends to get to my appointments. And they like to make a giant to-do about taking me anywhere, so,they sure WANT me to think I’m inconveniancing them. They aren’t shy about it. 😊

But therein lies more of my problem, I suppose.

I’m still scared *insert 4 letter explitive here)-less, but I’m gonna try. I made it clear on the phone that I was not looking for pills (they thought I was wanting a medication appt) and from what i heard, my counselor, therapist, whatever she is is pretty nice. So…yeah.

I’ll poke it and tell y’all if I burst into tears or not.
 
Well, they will pry. IF there are family secrets, they want to make sure you are spilling them.

And if you start looking at them differently, they will accuse your counselors of “meddling” and “changing you.”

Oh… do NOT share with them what you talk about.

It’s no more their business than if you went to a doctor or dental visit. Doctor-patient confidentiality. You have a right to it.

It is NOT their business.
 
shondrea said:
I spose. I just still feel so guilty about making people go out of their way to accomidate what I feel like is my little tantrum for attention. I know you’ll say that’s not true, but that’s how it feels
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No, I understand exactly how you feel. I have thought often, “Oh, my medication costs are such a burden to my family, it is so unfair to them.”

But I must remember that by taking these medications, I am paying them back in many ways: By becoming a better person overall.

I understand your pain, and I understand your doubts. I have been there. Sometimes, I am there.

Shondrea, I hope to hear of your progress regularly (No need to tell me exactly what you talked about, but I would like to know how you are feeling during the healing process.)

May God bless you.
 
Thanks again, guys. I’ll be sure to pop in and tell you the gist of how it went
 
Yeah, so, afterall that drama, my appountment was cancelled anyway
 
drama nothing. don’t discount what it takes for you to be willing, shon.

when’s the reschedule?
 
I hope you went to your appt. If it didn’t feel right, go elsewhere, but definitely go.
I have PTSD with reactive psychosis after undergoing a brutal situation. This happened 6 years ago. Before that I had also suffered trauma from childhood abuse. So there was a lot going against my ever regaining health. In fact, my psychiatrists/counselors/psychologists told my husband in 2004 that it was unlikely that I would ever come out of the psychosis and recover. I had unbelievable hallucinations and delusions, as well as black-out situations. My husband quit work for a year and a half to take care of me 24/7; I tried to kill myself more than once. I spent some time in a psychiatric ward, which wasn’t the greatest time of my life.
My point in telling my story is that now I am nearly 100% healthy BECAUSE of mental health treatment. I shudder to think what would’ve happened if I hadn’t been given help. Yes, I was put on meds - so what? That wasn’t my entire treatment; I attended counseling sessions both in groups and private sessions. I worked many things out.
By the grace of God and with the help of modern psychiatry, I have my life back.
Don’t tell anyone about your treatment if you don’t want to. It’s your life; find help to make it better.
 
shondrea said:
Ooook, so, a reccent hotly-debated thread round here has caused a lot of drama, but it also convinced me that I need to get my own act together before trying to get random stranger’s acts together.

So, I’m pretty much a lifelong depressive, anxious, OCD mess, and I’ve finally decided I need to grow a pair and get help. I’ve finally decided to call the local area mental health and get an appointment. I’ve finally decided to get over my issues and try to move forward.

Just one problem.

I’m too scared to pick up the phone :crying:

Anyone else been n this situation? How did you man up and finally do it? I swore last night I’d do it today, but now that;s it’s today, I’m freaked out like crazy. I don’t know what y issue is, I don’t know what to say to the receptionist, I’m just…lost.
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I have all your same issues. Chronic Depression, Anxiety/Panic Disorder, and severe OCD. I was not diagnosed until the age of 20. I’m now 28 and still pretty messed up. I found out the hard way, I was discerning a religious vocation and they noticed symptoms. I had to get tested and then I had to leave. I was humiliated and devastated! It turns out I’ve had this all my life. :eek: I wish I would have known years and years ago, then my life would be a whole lot better now. The earlier they can catch it, the less severe your particular case will turn out. But they didn’t know as much thirty years ago as they do today, so I probably couldn’t have figured it out much sooner than we did.I have been in therapy since twenty with only a two year break in between. I am on several medications too and still am making very little healing progress. All because we didn’t know about this when I was younger. Had we known then I could be fairly high functional now. But we didn’t and I’m not and it’s not fun at all. Don’t hold off a minute longer. Had I held off even 10 years longer I might not have been able to make any progress at all, since OCD worsens with age. Get help today. Make the call. It will be the best thing you ever did for yourself and those around you. God bless you dear. Jesus loves you SOOOOOO much and wants to see you get as well as you possibly can. Call today! Right now! And please feel free to private message me anytime you want. :hug3:
 
I called quite a while ago, my friend, and my appointment is tomorrow
 
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