Hello Sahara
I have to drive 4.5hr to see my psychistrist so even once a month is hard cost wise, I might look at getting longer appointments, I was just going with the flow of what they booked me in for, there is only one visiting phychiatrist in my town and there a long wait times, can be many months, I would not say my psychiatrist see's me as stable ( I often say I am as stable as a 3 legged card table) , she is quite worried about me and I hate telling her or those close to me about increased suicidal ideation as it increases their worry.
My mental health problems have probably been with me since i started high school,I am now 43 but up until 2 years ago I managed to keep good jobs and work hard, all be it with some disfunction and a gambling habit, its only been the last 2 years that things have gotten much worse and we have tried many medications, which i don't think the forum lets you talk about, i am unable to work and miss that alot, my father died 6 months ago suddenly and it rammed home the fact that those you rely on the most, being my mum and dad are getting older and will not be here forever, that has put me into a bit of a tail spin.
In some ways I do not like talking about my problems as many have it much worse than me, I least have a roof, food and am getting help, but in times of dispair things seem pretty bad. mine is a melancholic major depressive disorder which is thought to be biological and does not respond well to psychology, I often feel worse after seeing a psychologist, I think a lack of social interaction has a profound effect on making depression worse and it is self fullfilling because the more depressed you are the less social interaction you have, recently I have been looking for and asking community groups to set up a mental illness meet group here, that way your all on the same page. last time I went to the pub I started to shake with anxiety and people look at you weird and it is very embarrasing, I feel that is less likely to happen in a group familiar with mental illness. we might have to hit sane up to start some community groups, one idea I had was lawn bowls but in a group with mental illness, it's very relaxing, one community group here has meetings but not for chronic or severe mental illness, I guess its harder for them to manage.
