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Getting Help 🤐

Unknown userMember06 Nov 2019, 9:13 am AEDT

Getting Help 🤐

Have you ever worried about the consequences of going back to the 'public mental health system' when you've fallen through the cracks with them before but need help and there's nowhere else to go?

Recently i sought out help with a Bereavement Social Worker (connected to my support group) as intense flashbacks have returned (where I catch myself out talking to invisible ambulance officers from the past... and crying). I though I was over all that. Its come back, its frightening, and distressing and Im not sure i can survive it again...

Anyway,

After only two sessions with this lovely social worker (who's my own age + connected well), she wants me to go to someone more experienced 😞

🤔 Why do they always end up palming me off? Don't they know there isn't someone experienced enough for people like me... with a 'complex' history... All I need is someone to talk to when it all gets too much 😢, a backup, a reminder I'm no alone, to hold it together, to keep going...

Anyway,

She made some enquiries and came up with 'ONE' name in the whole regional area - a psychologist who has 'experience' in PTSD.

🤔

I reluctantly rang this number BUT that particular psychologist has 'closed her books' 😟

But the receptionist found another there with 'some' ptsd. She's not a clincal psychologist as such, but a in training to be... a registrar...

🤔

Please, someone tell me how a 'registrar' (still in training) is gonna have the 'experience' I need?

Oh, and thentim told "she only cost gap of $70 per session"

🤔

Yeah, that'd be right... now I'm out of pocket to be someone's else's training. How is this really helping me? Instinct is telling me to bail already... That it's another money driven, self serving scam who won't really help"

Butwait, there's more!

This 'training' psychologist is not available for 3months 😟 the next apt being late January 😢

Feeling defeated, I just said "that's fine :face_with_rolling_eyes: thank you.

🤔 !

Shit, What to do? Can I afford this? Isbit right that i support aasystem that takes advantage of the disadvantaged? Do i need it? While waiting i have 3 big grief anniversaries coming up. Will I cope with these intensifying flashbacks... through that? If I can, on my own, that long, then maybe I don't really need 'help' anyway.

Maybe it's just a normal part of the grief process, for 'complex' me and there's nothing they can do anyway..

🤔

Just in case, I rang the other number the social worker referred me to. They could give me an assessment apt this Friday (with someone with some vague qualifications:face_with_rolling_eyes:), but thent then i'll be referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist anyway...

🤔 If it's a psychiatrist forget it!

Why do I get that dizzy merry-go-round feeling again?

Friggin sucks! What a crock... We already know I need help, sheesh! Why can't I find someone?

I get the general impression that the MH system is looking after itself, not 'complex' people like me... and it really is just a case of 'suck it up' on my own for the rest of my days.. somehow

Im lost, and tired... and vulnerable... and, umm, did I say tired...

Does anyone relate to what I'm talking about? .

12 replies

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In response to: Getting Help 🤐

Unknown userMember13 Nov 2019, 7:32 pm AEDT

Re: Getting Help 🤐

@Teej , it's true, we do have to be ready in ourselves @@@ to step forward into sustainable recovery.. But like you said, its Nearly impossible do when in crisis, which unfortunately is when we seek out help. Kinda end up stuck in 'talk therapy' (venting). I can relate to being 'slow on ththe uptake' and taking forever before 'the penny drops' too. Helps if you have a therapist gifted in explaining things.

Its possibly a stigma thing oo because nearly everyone with personality disorders struggle getting help. After my BPD diagnosis back in the 80's, the visiting registrar told me "there's not much we can do with people with your diagnosis" The team got cranky that he said that, took my hope, but here I am 30yrs later - I think he was right. There is no cure, only management.

I'm glad your psychiatrist listened to your impassioned plea and you weren't buffed off to Public System. I'm so pleased for you the psychotherapy has been life changing. You so deserve every bit of help.

I’ve had a mix of helpful and not so helpful mh practioners.

I guess MH is all too often a chronic condition (like diabetes) that ends up just being managed rather than cured, with the occasional setback they tweek meds and treatment. But the mind is more complex than the body .Now I'm older (and less of a priority to the system) I think it's a case of 'suck it up' now, weve done all we can for you. And maybe hey have. I just wish I had energy / motivation.

Guess I have learned many skills along the way (from my own research and therapy and hard work). And I have my pills...I just need to dig up a few of those old strategies to practise, when i unpack boxes etc. I'm tired.

Rang a private hospital to try get into one of their 3wk programs. But at $1,000 A DAY! and no private health insurance... 😟😭

How can it cost that much? That needs to get looked at... Audited. Or at least Medicare could do a gap payment before I end up in emergency again, or worse. Umm, unfortunately the later is not as important as the almighty dollar. I donno. Getting help is pretty hard.

I'll keep my psychology apt for next year, but gosh, how do I get through till then? Not that a 50min hour once a month comes close to meeting my need.

Sorry moderators if it sounds too negative for the forums, but I think it's widespread problem and we need a voice somewhere. Especially if it helps us find a way. fwd.

In response to: Re: Getting Help 🤐

Unknown userMember13 Nov 2019, 7:56 pm AEDT

Re: Getting Help 🤐

hi there @Former-Member

Good on you for posting such a frank account of your struggles. The MH system sure has some way to go to be effective and affordable for many people.

all the best

Whitehawk

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