is it just me or is it almost impossible to get professional help?

All I can say is keep trying @SMRW

but I am hearing you about the difficulties of getting help and the "mixed messages" within the system. They do it to reassure people, but with high staff turnovers it can be very difficult indeed. I am not sure how much comes down to luck ot not.

In the mean time the forum may give some sense of support, ideas, or a sense you are not alone. Its not a lot, but sometimes the "support" I have gotten here is much better than some $100+ per hour clinical situations, which frankly needs an overhaul and may be scamming the govt.

Hi @SMRW and welcome.

I agree with you. It isn't easy to get help.

It took me 2 years to get a supportive team in place, but it has been life changing.

The first step was finding a trusted GP with experience in dealing with mental health issues.

Getting in to see a psychologist and psychiatrist was a long and frustrating process. It's also really important that these are a good fit for you, and that can take even longer.

My GP has no qualms about giving me certificates for time off when I can't get in to see the specialists. He knows my history, and gets updates from the psych and psychiatrist.

If you can relay your experience and what the psych said back to the original GP maybe they could grant some sick leave to give you some breathing space pending lining up another psychologist.

It can be hard sometimes to get medicos to take you seriously when you have managed well with work and family. If the GP is not getting it, I would not hesitate to look further. Sometimes within a practice there are Drs who have a particular interest in mental health and it could be worth asking the reception staff whether that's the case.

It can be pretty dispiriting when, in spite of your best efforts, there are barriers to getting help. I'm sorry to hear that you're facing that struggle, and really hope you can persevere.

Take care.

Hi @SMRW

I'm sorry that to read that you're having this experience with the system. If you are in a major city or region, I wouldn't have imagined that you would face such difficulties. Personally, until recently, I had always relied on the suggestions of referrals made by my GP - and sometimes those did have long wait periods, or 'not taking new patients at this time'. You wrote that you have been trying to find somewhere else with no luck. I also took it upon myself to seek out a therapist - it took a lot of online research (and I was seeking a practice where the pyschologists used particular types of therapies), and found many practices which seemed perfect, but were at capacity. I did end up finding a great psychologist and got in the next week. I guess my suggestion is to keep looking.

Also, have you considered looking for psychologists who offer online/skype/zoom therapy?

I also agree with some comments already made about your GP. It makes such a difference if you have a GP that you relate to, return to, is au fait with mental health issues and the system... So maybe finding a different GP will help too.

Good luck, I know your experience has been disheartening, but there is help out there. Best wishes.

Hi @SMRW thank you for sharing so openly and welcome to the forums where you will find some very supportive people with lived experience.

I can relate to your story as I also have had a successful career in senior management covering for years my depression and other symptoms. I just went out every day with my “happy face” painted on. I also raised a family with a stable, loving marriage.

Everything snapped earlier this year but I have been fortunate with a supportive pdoc and an extended hospital stay. It had been really hard and humbling.

I just want to encourage you that excellent, supportive health professionals are out there.

I hope you can find a team who can support you but until then stay connected to the forums.

Take care

😊🦋

@SMRW @Eve7 @Maz17 @Hopscotch @frog

I hear you're struggles and I understand the frustration when you are "passed" between clinicians. I myself have had to change mental health professionals several times because clinicians left the practice.

I was lucky to find someone. Sometimes you have to do a little self-efficacy and research someone that is willing to take you on as a client and has a good client base. Also you can look for someone that specifically suits you diagnosis.

There are a number of mental health professionals doing Tele-Health so hopefully you can find someone to help you.

Keep looking online to see if you can find someone, try this website, Australian Psychology Society: https://www.psychology.org.au/Find-a-Psychologist