Mindfulness????

Hi @Meandmytwo,

welcome to the forum. My opinion when dealing with mental health is that it has to be right for you. My first therapist tried mindfulness full on with me too until I told her it wasn't working and making me angrier. With that she kept changing her approach until she found something that worked😊. I actually believe in some mindfulness things but couldn't have it rammed down my throat like a new religion. Every psychologist and psychiatrist since had tried to sell me the virtues of mindfulness but I have told them that I struggle and need to do it at my own pace. I think that you obviously feel that you need medication first and counselling second. My suggestion is to go with your gut. I'm on medication too which I won't give up yet but also see a therapist. I'd find someone who gets you, that's the most important part.

that's the problem - it's hard for them to fully understand if they haven't gone through it themselves...

I reckon most of them are doing it based on what they studied at uni but they don't have the life experience..

I'm 'stuck' at the moment - I have agoraphobia but I haven't done any 'exercise'..

I was told to 'count the steps' when I go for a walk but the problem is I can't get myself to do anything right now..

I had a bad experience the other day outside a shopping centre I had a panic attack but I managed to 'survive'

but the female riding the bicycle must have been wondering why I was standing there...I did some strange

breathing and I'm not sure how I looked to her - she asked me if I was trying to get past then she left...

the panic made me stressed and I felt like telling someone I was having an attack but I didn't tell anyone

sometimes the stress levels build up and I don't feel 'good'...

I go to work and that's the main thing I do - I can't travel anywhere by myself

don't have any 'friends' or any other 'activities'

the problem is I have seen this female psych a few times but I haven't improved and it feels like a waste of time

...I cancelled the next appointment I was meant to see her in a few days

I reckon it's worth a try to see a psychiatrist - the meds may help and then you could make progress

but I reckon it's best not to take them for too long

I've got bipolar for ever, but had no idea. Just lately I've stumbled across books and thought - damn, thats so me! I went to see a GP and told her everything (even the stuff that's hard to tell because you know you sound insane...). I also told her what I think it is and tried to show her.. See, this is that because I do this and that... She referred me straight to a psychiatrist. He was very nice and prescribed me drugs now. I'm feeling a little better (don't want to jump off the roof anymore..). I knew already most available medication out there before I went to the doc. However, I tried mindfulness, but if your brain is applesauce, you can't concentrate on anyting I found, it's just a survival get through the day mode. I'm very mindful - usually, but when it hit's you, and it can take months, you can't really think or anything. I agree, that it is hard for outsiders to understand how it must be, but you know how it is. If I were you, I would go and see a psychiatrist. My one sat with me for over one hour, asked me about my whole life, everything. I felt cared for and listened to, not judged. It helped me a lot. I went through so many doctors who made wrong diagnosis, just go an see someone else. I know it's hard. Took me years, but eventually got there. Just take it easy and if you have good days like me, pick one and go. If not, well, I broke down in the waiting room last week as well.. never mind, happens

I'm a bit the same. Meds have made such a massive, massive difference in my life, but I can also say that therapy and relaxation has helped me heaps too. (I hate mindfulness and when I'm ill it makes me feel soo much worse.)

I say get a new referral to a psychiatrist or three and try each out and see what they are like. When you get one that clicks ask them for their opinion. They should be able to tell you if/when to see a psychologist and what other 'skills' you can utilise to help.

It's important to remember that meds may have made you 100% better now, but sometimes they stop working, or you might get ill again for no reason, or lots of reasons. It's best to get a good doc now when you're well and learn some skills to help for the future when pills may not work 100%.