How to get help? (Mental Health)

LegacyUser

Hi, i'm currently going through a rough patch and could do with some help. I struggle with bouts of anxiety/stress/insomnia/low mood. It's always in the background, but if I can manage myself and my environment is relatively stable, without abnormal stresses i'm relatively okay.

For the last few months things have progressively gone south, I've tried my best, exercise, returning to a hobby which has a social element, pushing myself to stay socially active and talk a little to close friends in general terms that i'm a bit low. Some traumatic events occurred and ever since I can feel myself slipping into a poor frame, bad insomnia, low moods, nausea/diarrhea and panic attacks. In the last two weeks, I've started to socially withdraw, not enjoying things I usually do, feel generally unwell and anxious all the time and can't sleep, so I know it's time to look for help as this happened once before, and it only got worse, which is a state i'd never like to return to!

The last time, a few years ago, I went to a GP and got prescribed anti depressants and referred to a private psychologist as free services via the HSE were not available. I gave up the meds though after a month as I did not feel they were for me. I went to the psychologist for just above a half dozen or so sessions, although they had to be cut short due to a career move for the psychologist.

I'm wondering if I go to a GP, will they just look at my medical file and pass me on to their associated psychologist/suggest meds? Private was relatively expensive and i'm not quite sure where else to look.

orthsquel

I think you ought to go to the GP and tell them what is going on regardless as to what is in your medical file or what treatment you have been provided before. I would think that their assessment of you would be on the basis of the current situation and description of how you are feeling, as opposed to what worked/didn't work/what was decided as a plan of action in the past.
The only way you are going to know how to get help, is to discuss at length your situation with your GP and take things from there.

zoobizoo

You decided that meds that were prescribed to you "weren;t for you". The doctor obviously felt that they were and it can take time for them to work. Why did you feel they weren't for you?

In terms of paying privately to see a therapist, can you afford to go private?

LegacyUser

Thanks for taking the time to reply orthsquel and zoobizoo! I appreciate it.

Last time I dropped the drug after a period of two dosage adjustments (roughly took them for a month+ or so). I did some personal research and felt like i'd prefer to give the therapy a shot without meds, which I was subscribed for another 8 or so months with monthly check ups for dosage adjustment by the GP.

Probably not the most advisable route to take at the time, but I did not feel comfortable with the idea of meds for something that could be environmental or biological (or a mix as I do have one parent with a serious mental health condition). The approach felt a bit scatter shot to me, as I was prescribed the drugs whilst the GP requested therapy through the HSE, but that service was withdrawn in the area so I was referred to a private psychiatrist.

That process took about a month and in the meantime I decided whilst I knew the drugs have an adjustment period and require dosage changes, I really did not feel comfortable taking them. I get ill for lack of a better word, when external pressures are particularly bad for a period of time.

If I have to go privately again for therapy, I can't really afford it, although I know some will have payment options if your struggling, as was the case last time, although it still worked out pretty expensive all added together.

To be honest, I feel a bit stuck, I don't want to end up as someone who uses drugs or therapy as a crutch, but at the same time, I've honestly done my best, and things are just about holding together.

InReality

meds can give you a bit of breathing space so talk therapy can work.

zoobizoo

OPOPOP wrote: »

....... but I did not feel comfortable with the idea of meds for something that could be environmental or biological (or a mix as I do have one parent with a serious mental health condition).

..... I really did not feel comfortable taking them.

.

If you were ill in hospital and the specialist recommended you took a particular course of medicine to cure you, would your feelings or comfort levels come into it?

Meds can help get you out of a rut and then therapy can help you grow when you are back on an even keel.

When you are back on that even keel you can look into the biological / environmental reason as to why you are feeling this way.

If you knew that meds would make you better, would you still not want to take them?

scrimshanker

In fairness to the OP, meds can also make you a lot worse. But you might be able to get prescribed different meds that are better for you than the previous ones. I agree that the meds can get you to a place where therapy can be effective, however, they have to be meds that suit the individual.

Maybe go back to your GP and explain that you weren't comfortable on the last meds prescribed, they're hardly going to prescribe something that you couldn't stick to last time and expect you to stick to it this time.

zoobizoo

scrimshanker wrote: »

In fairness to the OP, meds can also make you a lot worse. But you might be able to get prescribed different meds that are better for you than the previous ones. I agree that the meds can get you to a place where therapy can be effective, however, they have to be meds that suit the individual.

Maybe go back to your GP and explain that you weren't comfortable on the last meds prescribed, they're hardly going to prescribe something that you couldn't stick to last time and expect you to stick to it this time.

Totally agree with you there.

LegacyUser

Hi all, thanks again for the replies, much appreciated I assure yous!

I've decided I will pay the GP a visit again, see what the options are. My last visit was two or so years ago, maybe things have a changed a bit in regard to services available.

Drugs wise, I may be a bit biased as one of my parents has a serious mental health condition and has being through the system, totally different drugs to the ones I was prescribed of course, but i'd be wary of taking an SSRI for a prolonged period on the advice of a GP alone, as from my families experience, GP's aren't specialists when it comes to mental health and I attend a clinic, so don't have one set GP.

I know that sounds a bit cynical and paranoid, but if a doctor told me to solve a headache I had to take a tablet everyday for 9 months and then a further period of weaning off if I feel better after that, and that they could not be certain about the dosage or brand to use, it's going to require a bit of trial and error for a period, its not a decision i'd take lightly based off a 40 minute conversation at most with a stranger, albeit a professional.

I'm willing to explore that option again and discuss it with the GP, maybe i'm letting my anxiety and feelings on the subject cloud my judgement, if anyone has any experience in that regard of treatment, i'd be much obliged to hear your thoughts!

JuliusCaesar

OPOPOP wrote: »

I'm wondering if I go to a GP, will they just look at my medical file and pass me on to their associated psychologist/suggest meds? Private was relatively expensive and i'm not quite sure where else to look.

GPs don't have a central place for storing files, and so one GP cannot access another GPs records- one of the disadvantages of each GP practice being a small business. Your new GP will rely on you telling them what your past treatment was, unless you sign a consent form allowing him to ask your previous GP for a copy of your records.

Do they all have an associated psychologist/psychotherapist/counsellor? No.

Will they all suggest medication? Probably. They are doctors after all, and medication is easily accessible.

Can you access counselling/psychotherapy/psychology in the mental health public services i.e. for free? Yes, but the waiting lists will vary from area to area. Some will be available in primary care, some in secondary care. Some referrals go to a psychiatrist to sort out which specialist service to refer to, some will go to psychology departments which are separate from psychiatry altogether.

Can you access cheap private counselling/psychotherapy in the private sector? Maybe, and the quality will be as variable as anywhere else in the private sector.

Magicmatilda

There are plenty of low cost counsellors out there. Mostly people who have qualified but have to work up a certain number of hours to get accreditation (450 hours minimum)

Just google low cost counselling in your area.

Very little of the counselling that happens in this country is public sector, most is private. The HSE simply do not have the resources to employ enough therapists.

Just remember you need to be able to trust your counsellor and if one is not working you are under no obligation to stay and can try another.