Seeing a Psychologist.

[Black_Bird]

Who here has seeked the help of a psychological professional in dealing with their darkest hours? Who here feels they should be seeing one now?

A couple of years ago, circumstances in my life lead to a total breakdown... I was suicidal, lost, hopeless; I didn't know how to deal with the end of my relationship. I finally asked to see a psychologist. I have to admit that I learned a great deal about how to handle relationships just from those few sessions.

I know strongly feel that many more people who *aren't* seeing a shrink, should. There is no replacement for a professional.

 

[kotori]

I've been thinking about it

It may be time.

 

[April]

I've given it some thought lately. But I don't really trust the mil. "mental health" people. But perhaps I'll check into it someday.

 

[Dhalgren]

Just one human's meager opinion

I believe that we see someone on a professional level to hear ourselves out loud with out dealing with the thought that this person “listening” isn’t going to judge us for what we might feel, say or think.

I believe we all have the power to heal ourselves.
I think we all need to hear our own tape within our heads..

Is it looping again?
Is it struck in a groove?


Our head set is tuned into a place inside ourselves.
Just feel the dial for the right frequency.

 

[Fly_On_Wall]

I have seen them before to work my way through problems that seemed to have gone away, but they started to come back, i've thought about goeing to them again. but am waiting some time. I may have reverted because of stress and isolation

(edited to finish what I was saying and got distracted)

there is nothing wrong with going to one
if you think something is wrong that's up to you to diside not a doctor I found that out the hard ways, they don't know what's going on inside you how you feel

if you feel wrong i say go

 

[Wiggles]

I haven't ever gone to a psychiatrist, haven't really had the money for it.

When I've gone through times like that, I'm lucky I got through them by myself. I often turned to praying, which is sort of funny because I'm not very religious at all. But the peace I found in discussing my problems with someone completely unjudgemental and always ready to listen helped me out alot.

I'm glad it helped you out BB.

 

[Black_Bird]

Re: Just one human's meager opinion

I believe that we see someone on a professional level to hear ourselves out loud with out dealing with the thought that this person “listening” isn’t going to judge us for what we might feel, say or think.

Sometimes this is the case... some times it isn't. In my case, the psychologist did little more then sit there and tell me what I already knew to be true - I just didn't want to believe it. Other individuals, I feel, genuinely need psychiatric care.

There are quite a number of very disturb individuals in my family that should see a psychologist and are not. There are a number of people I know that are seeing one and it's really having a positive affect on them... and there are those who just haven't found the right doctor yet.

I believe we all have the power to heal ourselves.
I think we all need to hear our own tape within our heads...

Sometimes we can. Other times, we need a little help just to help ourselves.

 

[Dhalgren]

Ah…loftly notions put waaay aside.

Have you ever walked into a room where two people are just standing there yet you feel the vibrations in the room and you just know something negative happened there?

I believe as a society..we are all feeling the “aftermath” of something really sinister brewing on this Earth right this now.

And I think many people will turn for help.

And yes BB…I fully understand that if and when you find yourself in such a deep groove -you may never recognize it within yourself..until someone helps you find it.

You are absolutely right about that.

 

[freescorfr]

Who here has seeked the help of a psychological professional in dealing with their darkest hours? .

Courageous start to a thread B_b, I congratulate you.

I have been shrunk, Black_bird. Everyone being treated for alcohol dependency here has access to any shrink - psychiatrist or psychologist they choose.
The shrinks here largely dish out chemicals, which have their place and aren't my scene, but I still go to see one at long irregular intervals because it helps my case against the insurance company. There is no payment for that.
I have been going to a group of alcoholics which is run by a gorgeous psychologist, who works with some really tough cases - sent by the prisons and courts. I keep going because she is such an expert at managing the group and so I learn because I run a few groups myself. And I like looking at her legs.

The best I've come across are the humanistic therapies and I'm being trained in one which is all on this site
http://www.j-salome.com . It's in French and none of his work is in English.

This is a shame because it's a development of Rogers' work with a good dose of transactional analysis. Incredibly fast and powerful at enabling people to be happy, take responsibility for themselves and value their lives. I use this method with parents and families - so it's not quite life a shrink - but to start using it you have to have done it all first - and I found that great.

 

[Guest]

I've given it some thought lately. But I don't really trust the mil. "mental health" people. But perhaps I'll check into it someday.

We're not so bad. I promise.

 

[April]

Perhaps not, Raindancer. But what concerns me mostly is confidentiality.
If I wanted other people to know, I'd tell them.

 

[Southern37]

Who here has seeked the help of a psychological professional in dealing with their darkest hours? Who here feels they should be seeing one now?

A couple of years ago, circumstances in my life lead to a total breakdown... I was suicidal, lost, hopeless; I didn't know how to deal with the end of my relationship. I finally asked to see a psychologist. I have to admit that I learned a great deal about how to handle relationships just from those few sessions.

I know strongly feel that many more people who *aren't* seeing a shrink, should. There is no replacement for a professional.

Odd you should start this thread at this time. I recognized several years ago I was depressed. Talked to my GP and got on medication. Made all the difference in the world. Well, I felt better and came off medication and was fine until about a year ago when I recognized those feelings again. So this time I started a diff medication and it seemed to help until just recently. Things in my life had exascerbated my depression and I realized recently I needed help. I made an appointment with a therapist (just had my first appt) and have made one with a psychiatrist to see what medications might help, while avoiding side effects I don't want.

Only people who have felt the dark hand of depression can understand how it makes you feel. I have always been an optimistic, motivated and energetic individual until my bout with depression. It saps your soul. It makes you feel like a beat person. I finally realized I needed to do something major when thoughts of suicide kept slipping in my mind. I wasn't near the point of acting on them, but was much closer than ever before and didn't want to take the chance of sliding any further. It's hard to describe how depression can make you feel. I was fearful of bed time because I didn't want to lay there alone with my head. I would wake up in the middle of the night and worry for hours. Every small disappointment crushed me. I began to want to spend time alone, totally alone...no TV, no kids..nothing. There was a time when I could never understand how someone would commit suicide. Then I became depressed and began to understand. Then I became more depressed and began to think of what a relief suicide would be.

I'm hopeful that these steps will help, I know I feel better for doing something in any event. I think I'll be ok. I just want to get back to my old self. In a bad way.

Wish me luck. I think I can beat this.

 

[Silverluna]

Yes I have....I have seen several.....only a few have made a difference , atleast in a positive way. These few either got moved by the wonderful insurance plans....or my idiots parents had a problem that resulted in my switching doctors like a used tampon....(sorry for the lovely mental image)
I currently am consulting with my Doctor and he is more like a friend...a trusted aid ...than a clinical pill pushing wacko who only is intrested in how I am paying for these mind numbing visits and how my blood chemistry is doing.
Granted these are important issues...but damnit....I am more than a bunch of protiens and carbohydrates!!!! >.<

Ohh...ok better stick to the topic...
Even with my bad experiences...I think that ultimatly it is up to the immediate family and/or the person who should decide who to consult and when the time is right.
I made a rather large mistake last year....infact it will be a year come April....I was on the brink of loosing control...completely...I was even considering the worst...and I confided in someone who was unable to help me....

They did the only thing they knew to do....call a professional (no not a wrestler or stripper ...sheesh...sickos!) One afternoon, I was dragged off to see someone ......Imagine the panic....not knowing who you were going to see...picturing the worst .......Let's just say...if you dont help yourself...someone else will try ...and typically FUCK IT UP.....
Sorry BB and all to be off a bit on a tangent.....

 

[Guest]

Perhaps not, Raindancer. But what concerns me mostly is confidentiality.
If I wanted other people to know, I'd tell them.

I understand April. Trust and confidentiality go hand in hand. I've been on both sides. I've been the counselor and I've received counseling. It's a process that can be gut-wrenching, scary, yet full of growth.

 

[Jesus]

I will ask the Father and he will give you another helper, the spirit of truth, to stay with you forever. The world cannot receive him, because it cannot see him or know him. But you know him, because he remains with you and lives in you.

 

[Richard49]

Who here has seeked the help of a psychological professional in dealing with their darkest hours? Who here feels they should be seeing one now?

Boy what a time for this thread to come up <smile>

Six months ago my wife who was also my collared sub deserted me. Talk about going into a black hole.....I was there.....I knew I need help that what little of a supposrt network I had could not supply.......

I have been a therphist. I have gone to therphist. I do not trust the profession as a whole...as this post goes on you will seem more of what I mean....I also will proably be black listed by every woman on lit.com.

I have a high profile in my community and know lots of people on a professional bases. That told me a lot about a lot of the therphists. I asked those who I truly trusted. I found out that one of my freinds had had a postive experence with one I did not know. I made an appointment to interveiw him....the therphist that is. I liked what I saw and heard. He has helped.

When Cyndi (my wife) and I were still talking by phone she asked for couples counsoling. So I arranged it by phone with a company out of Texas.

Cyndi also said she was going to go to the Women's Resourse Center where she was in Texas. The nightmare began and still goes on.

Before I start this part of the story let me share that I was one of the founders of the WRC here almost 30 years ago.

The company I arranged the tele thingy through talked to Cyndi and because she was seeing someone local they needed a release form....they did not send it for 6 weeks...by than Cyndi was not interested.

The person at WRC told Cyndi she needed to divorce me.....

Friday two things happened.....My mom got a letter from Cyndi saying that everytime she talk to her or me she wanted to come home and the person at the WRC told her not to talk to us.....

Also I filed the big D papers........

So here you have three therphists....one who honors me....one who tells her clients and I mean ALL her clients to divorce...and another that was imcompatent.

No wonder I left the profession and am embrassed that I helped start the local WRC.....we certainly started it with a differnet view in mind.

Richard

 

[lilfrk]

When I was a teenager I was mandated by the family courts to see a counselor twice a week. If I didn't I would be held in contempt of court and sent to juvenile hall.

One session a week was with other teenage girls that had been molested and the other session was for anger management. At the time I hated it and I resented them all. But now I look back and think OMG if I hadn't gone I would be in a mental hospital.

I also want to say that a big part of my healing was having one person in my life that loved me and took care of me. No matter how off the wall I got he stayed with me. When I grew up I married him.

There have been times since then that I probably should have gone back and gotten help for my rough spots. But I think that the things they taught me 14 years ago stuck with me and I somehow pull it up and use it when I need it.

I still struggle and have dark places but for the most part I've healed. I thank the people that took care of me when I needed it, even if I didn't behave my best towards them.

 

[bored1]

I first went to a therapist about 10 years ago. The first thing he told me was that I was mildly depressed..........and proceded to put me on Zoloft.Well I was on that shit for about a year when I realized I would rather experiance the highs and lows of life..So I quit taking it and began to look inward at my behaviors...read the book The Road Less Traveled and actually changed a lot about myself.......Now I try to see him about once every 18 months just to get a perspective on where I was, and where Iam

 

[WhiteRose]

I went to see one once. I'd spent the whole day before driving around (should have been at work), trying to convince myself not to drive off the peninsula. I finally decided I needed to see someone and made an appointment for the next day. There were two psychiatrists to choose from, one older, and one younger, both male. I chose the older one, I guess because I thought since he'd been around longer, he'd know more. I hope that wasn't the case.

When I went in for my appointment, he was writing notes in a file and completely ignored me. I sat down on the couch, and after 5 minutes or so he looked up, asked for my name, then said "So, what's your problem?" heh Not the most comforting way to begin a conversation. I'd made a list of what I wanted to talk to him about because I knew I'd forget once I got in there, and we started down the list. By the end of 45 minutes, he'd told me to try everything I'd already been trying for years and hadn't really listened to me at all. I walked out of there to my car, sat down, and started laughing. It was a like a big weight had been lifted off my shoulders, cause I knew that doctor was a lot loonier than I was So, I guess in a way, he DID help me. I realized then that family problems I'd been talking upon myself had nothing to do with me, and that there was nothing I could do to change someone else, only my reaction to them.

Would I visit a mental health physician again? Certainly.

 

[Black_Bird]

Re: Re: Seeing a Psychologist.

I'm hopeful that these steps will help, I know I feel better for doing something in any event. I think I'll be ok. I just want to get back to my old self. In a bad way.

Wish me luck. I think I can beat this.

Do you know if it is strictly chemical? If it is, you may have to stay on one medication for life. It's not a big deal; my best friend takes medication for depression. Ever since he's started, he's been much happier with his life.

I do hope things work out for you. You have my prayers.

 

[Black_Bird]

I will ask the Father and he will give you another helper, the spirit of truth, to stay with you forever. The world cannot receive him, because it cannot see him or know him. But you know him, because he remains with you and lives in you.

Heh. Jesus actually registered!!! Hell, some of his best friends are prostitutes, do I would think that this place would be a walk in the park, comparingly.

Yes... as odd as it sounds, I became *very* spiritual during my darkest times. I even began comparing myself to Christ - my suffering to his.

My spiritual ethics are rather *odd,* so I won't attempt to explain them here. I will say that if you *do* believe in something greater then yourself, it does help to turn to that thing during your time of greatest need. It has nothing to do with expecting all your questions to be answered; it has everything to do with finding the clarity to answer your questions for yourself.

 

[Dhalgren]

What ritualistic magician would be worth his salt if he didn’t have at least one Messiah complex..episode during the span of his lifetime?

 

[Black_Bird]

Would I visit a mental health physician again? Certainly.

Heh. That's a very zen experience, I think.

Next time... choose the other one.

 

[Black_Bird]

What ritualistic magician would be worth his salt if he didn’t have at least one Messiah complex..episode during the span of his lifetime?

Oh - I've had at least two.

 

[Dhalgren]

Where’s that confounded bridge?

There ya go…
~smiles~

I myself, have drawn down the Goddess only to feel Her so intensely that I began to channel in such a way that I completely became Her.

Then I remembered that was the idea, after all.