mental health advice?

bieres de la meuse

hey,
I'm incognito because i need some advice. hoping has had some experience with this.

yeesh where to start. I'm 29 and for the last 13 years i have had various mental health issues like anorexia, bulimia, self harm, panic attacks, insomnia and depression. The eating disorders have quietened down a bit.
I've been to 4 separate counselors over the last 8 years. I quit my last one 6 months ago.
I'm having trouble at the moment and I need it to stop. I just can't hack it anymore.

I can't talk to my friends or family, but I need to talk to someone. Here's my dilemma.
I don't want to go back to counseling because i find it extremely tough and after 4 councilors i don't feel any better.
I've never been to a GP about any of this, but at this stage i'm fed up talking about it, i just want to be medicated. But i'm scared.

Can anyone give me advise please? Should i cop on and go back to counseling? Has anyone been medicated before? If so, has it helped. Do you think a GP might send me to a Psychiatrist? (i just like to know what i might be getting myself into)

I'm sorry to come on whinging, but very few people in my life would even guess that these issues exist with me.

Thanks

LegacyUser

Thats a long time you were affected.

Find a good GP who will take some time with you....then he will refer you to a psychiatrist possibly.......If you are going to go down the medication route I would recommend going to a psychaitrist for the medication.....they have more experience in this area.....and also if you maybe have two visits it will give them a better picture of what the problem is.

I have been on anti-depressants for the last two years and I regret not having gone the medication route sooner. Once you know what to expect it can help a lot.....it can take a month or tow for side effects to wear off e.g. anxiety etc but if you are well informed you can manage it better e.g. finding a time of day that is suitable to take meds, staying away from alcohol. I do think you will need some specialist help with the eating disorder.

And who knows maybe the medication they give you is not the best for your and you would then try another one.

Develop a good relationship with your GP and feel free to ask him or the pharmacist any questions about the meds.

Things will improve once you get EFFECTIVE help, and if that means medication, so be it.....its not perfect but....for me.....it is a hell of a lot better than what it was. I now have a job in an area that I like, am well able to cope with ups and downs and have a great appetite and no obsessions with food.Have not been suicidal in a long long time.

Be wary of charlatans and people who will try and convince you that dietary changes will
be enough in itself.

Write down your questions on a bit of paper and go to the Doctor....they have many years of training behind them and have seen hundreds of people.

Look forward to a better future....may take a while and a bit of discomfort but it is for the best

girlonfire

Hi OP,

Having gone through several of the issues you've mentioned above myself, I find it shocking that you've not been to a GP or psychiatrist to discuss these issues.
If you find talk-therapy unhelpful alone, it might be worth considering discussing your options with a GP, which I would strongly recommend. It really depends on the GP as to whether or not they'll refer you on to a psychiatrist.
While medication can be helpful, that alone will not resolve the issues. Is there anyone in your life that you'd consider disclosing how you feel to? It's a lot to carry on your own and I'm sure the people who love you would want to support you. Best of luck.

LegacyUser

I don’t have personal experience but I have professional experience. As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I will be honest and tell you that medication is not enough. Anti-depressants and other psychotropic meds become only a band-aid solution. Some medications can take a while before they produce any results and it varies from individual to individual. Almost all health professionals recommend medication in conjunction with talk therapy. I highly suggest you continue with your counselling. The medication can be a great addition to your therapy as it may help ease some of your symptoms and make you more cognisant and receptive in your therapy sessions. Meds alone are not going to cut it and they will not vanish your problems. They help you function and talk therapy teaches coping mechanisms. As far as counselling being tough, it is supposed to be hard work. You are working with deep issues that are not going to go away overnight. There is a lot of work that goes into therapy. The more work you put into it the easier it will become and the more content you will be. If your sessions are particularly difficult for you, you need to express your concerns with your counsellor and explain to them what about the sessions are making it hard for you. I cannot stress any further that you need to see a GP who will refer you to a psychiatric specialist. If your GP is unable to do so consult your counsellor because it is not uncommon for many counsellors to have working relationships with psychiatrists. I am not sure if it would be under a private consultation and not covered but it does not hurt to ask. A psychiatrist will be able to make a proper diagnosis and prescribe the right course of pharmacotherapy for you. Whatever route you choose, if the waiting list ends up being too long, I suggest admitting yourself at your local hospital. You can get faster treatment and help. girlonfire is right on with her suggestions as well. This may all be scary but once you get the proper treatment and care you will get better.

Taltos

OP

unfortunately none of us here are qualified to give you advice on the type of treatment you require.
Please go and talk to your GP about the different types of help that are out there for you and keep insisting you get the help you deserve. Work with your GP or get a second opinion if your current GP is unable to help you for whatever reason.

Closing thread
Taltos