Eating disorder - hypnotherapist / psychotherapist

LegacyUser

Hi, going unregged for this.

I've been suffering with an eating disorder for the last couple of years, and it's got serious in the last 2 years. I basically just eat a lot of junk food most days, but at the same time I'm able to stay off food completely on other days. I was able to control my weight in the first couple of years with excessive exercise, but recently things have got out of control. I gave up exercise and my weight has balooned in a relatively short period of time. I'm about 7/8 stone overweight at the moment, and I've no energy at all.

I've also been suffering with severe depression for a while, probably the last year. Things have just become unbearable, and I even tried to OD on paracetamol last month.

I'm thinking of going to either a hypnotherapist or a psychotherapist to sort my problems out. Can anyone recommend a good one please?

I don't want to go to a GP.

Nevyn

http://www.bodywhys.ie/

The way the irish health system is set up for the most part you need a gp ro refer you on to someone, other wise it can be very hard if not damn near impossible to get an appointment.

MJOR

I would say hypnotherapy is not the way to go..... but T is right you need a referral you don't have to go your GP. You can go to a new one

Victor

jim_83 wrote: »

I'm thinking of going to either a hypnotherapist or a psychotherapist to sort my problems out. Can anyone recommend a good one please?

For something like this you need to speak to a doctor. And while a psychotherapist can help hugely, its only part of the equation. A hypnotherapist would be very far down the line or priorities.

flybynight

Bodywhys will be able to direct you to a psychotherapist or psychologist that does not require a referral, however as other have already said you should also seriously consider seeing a GP about being referred to appropriate medical services.

LegacyUser

I'm a bit reluctant to go to a gp, as I feel they will send me on to a psychologist or a psychiatrist, who in turn will will just prescribe anti-depressants for me. I know I'm depressed pretty much everyday now (even suicidal somtimes) but I don't want to go on anti-depressant medication if I can avoid it.


I looked up the bodywhys website, and it seems that they offer group counselling mostly.... I'm not sure if I'd fit in here.

dudara

jim_83 wrote: »

I'm a bit reluctant to go to a gp, as I feel they will send me on to a psychologist or a psychiatrist, who in turn will will just prescribe anti-depressants for me. I know I'm depressed pretty much everyday now (even suicidal somtimes) but I don't want to go on anti-depressant medication if I can avoid it.


I looked up the bodywhys website, and it seems that they offer group counselling mostly.... I'm not sure if I'd fit in here.

Pardon me if I'm being a bit rude here, but do you want to help yourself or not? You're poo-poohing some good suggestions here without any validation.

Go to a doctor, who probably will refer you to a pyschologist etc. However, this doesn't mean that you WILL be put on anti-depressants. Just talking to someone might help you grasp the scale of whatever is going on.

With respect to Bodywhys, until you actually make contact with them, and find out exactly what services they offer, you won't know.

Good luck with everything. Taking the first steps are hardest.

LegacyUser

dudara wrote: »

Pardon me if I'm being a bit rude here, but do you want to help yourself or not? You're poo-poohing some good suggestions here without any validation.

Go to a doctor, who probably will refer you to a pyschologist etc. However, this doesn't mean that you WILL be put on anti-depressants. Just talking to someone might help you grasp the scale of whatever is going on.

With respect to Bodywhys, until you actually make contact with them, and find out exactly what services they offer, you won't know.

Good luck with everything. Taking the first steps are hardest.

I'm sorry if my last post came across like that. Of course I want help, and you're right the first steps are the hardest.

I'm just a bit reluctant of going to a psychologist because I'm afraid that he might just prescribe anti-depressants. That's why I said I didn't want to go to a gp in my opening post.
And someone also said Bodywhys would refer me to a psychologist, which is why I said I was hesitant to go to them. I'm sure psychologists have helped a lot of people, but I've heard some bad stories about them, so unfortunately I'm a bit hesitant to visit them.

Again, I'm sorry if I came across with a bad attitude, but I've struggled with this for a long time and I want to get help.

couerdelion

Have you tried phoning the Samaritans?

They're aren't just there to talk to when you feel suicidal. They are all trained in counselling and it would be anonymous and one to one.

Withhold your number if you wish.

flybynight

jim_83 wrote: »

I'm sorry if my last post came across like that. Of course I want help, and you're right the first steps are the hardest.

I'm just a bit reluctant of going to a psychologist because I'm afraid that he might just prescribe anti-depressants. That's why I said I didn't want to go to a gp in my opening post.
And someone also said Bodywhys would refer me to a psychologist, which is why I said I was hesitant to go to them. I'm sure psychologists have helped a lot of people, but I've heard some bad stories about them, so unfortunately I'm a bit hesitant to visit them.

Again, I'm sorry if I came across with a bad attitude, but I've struggled with this for a long time and I want to get help.

Just to be clear as it sounds like you have been misinformed - psychologists cannot prescribe anti-depressants or any other medecine (unless they are also medical doctors). Only psychiatrists, GPs and other medical doctors can do that. I've just had a look at the Bodywhys website and not all of the psychotherapy/counselling services are group based. If you really don't want to go the medical route at this point, my advice would be to call Bodywhys and ask them to recommend a couple of psychotherapists/psychologists in your area with experience in eating disorders. Most well qualified therapists will recommend that you link in with a medical service if they perceive that your problem is serious anyway.

If all else fails you can pm me as I do know of one or two services/therapists in private practice with experience in this area. Best of luck!

LouOB

The first step is always the hardest and you have do it by admitting to yourself that you have a problem. Now, you can either sit on the fence for another 1,2,3+ stone or you can start to do something.
I have lost 4+ stone and it was not easy. But as it goes - Anything worth having in life does not come easy.

Make a new start - weight watchers is v supportive and will give to the right advice + directions.

Make a promise to help yourself - in the right healthy and pro-active way.
You have been in a rut for awhile - and remember you have the choice to sit there or get up.

Good Luck

Quazzie

Personally I think its hard for someone to just get up and take the first step out of bed when they get into a situation you have found yourself in. Sometimes it only takes a friends to stick by you and go to the gym, or swimming as a start. You'd be surprised how full of life you would be after a refreshing swim. Being overweight has been found to lead to depression. A good website I found helps sometimes is www.curedepressionnaturally.com

Victor

Quazzie2002 wrote: »

Personally I think its hard for someone to just get up and take the first step out of bed when they get into a situation you have found yourself in. Sometimes it only takes a friends to stick by you and go to the gym, or swimming as a start. You'd be surprised how full of life you would be after a refreshing swim. Being overweight has been found to lead to depression. A good website I found helps sometimes is www.curedepressionnaturally.com

While the support of those around you is good in fighting depression, you can't ignore professional help.

Quazzie

Victor wrote: »

While the support of those around you is good in fighting depression, you can't ignore professional help.

But there is no point just saying to someone "go get professional help". Its not that easy for someone who is clinically depressed. they have to make small steps. telling them to jump to the end isn't going to help because its not going to happen. Depression can cripple a person. it can get as bad as not having the will or energy to get out of bed. how can someone like that get professional help. they need to take the small steps that eventually lead to the big steps.

LegacyUser

Thanks for all the responses, especially flybynight. I've decided I'm going to go to a gp soon.