It is of the utmost importance for the sufferer of mental ill health to find the most suitable counsellor and or psychiatrist. Yes while we are in the depth of despair is the worst of time to have to contend with this search. In my case my GP thought only of the cost involved and referred me to a psychiatrist because that practice bulk billed. This was helpful in getting me onto a medication which would be of assistance to my state of mind, but it was not long before it became more and apparent that this person only saw the situation from a medical point of view. Yes I am total in favor of getting the medical side of things right and it was only that the medication which was prescribed was able to help me with the situation which I faced at that time.
My mother died, we were over five hours drive away so unable to get to her before life had ended. We spent a week away from home with very limited money but we managed. As does happen at those times in families there were some unpleasant moments with siblings. Then the viewing and the funeral I do not quite know how I coped. But I did with the support of my husband and the medication I was now on enabled me to survive. I returned home and at the next appointment with my psychiatrist when asked how I was, responded with F@@K terrible. Then revealed the circumstance of the previous weeks, the response from my therapist was that I had not prepared as they had for the death of my mother.. Then my therapist told me in detail what that person had done prior to and when faced with their father’s death. Then proceeded to tell me I needed to get a divorce and move on with the rest of my life. I at that time was turning 60 years old and my mum had passed away at the age of 96 years. After that appointment I never returned to that psychiatrist but continued with medication and for quite a while had good mental health. But as depression does it returned again with even more debilitating degrees you see with my new GP’s knowledge I had tried to get off medication and it worked for a while but down I came. I was then referred by this doctor on the basis of who my doctor felt was the best therapist for me. By the time I got to see the psychiatrist I was a mess partly because of financial problem. Thank God this psychiatrist although not their usual practice realized that the financial situation was one of the stressor which had propelled me into my present situations. Cost was not going to be an issue as this psychiatrist was able to find a way of bulk billing. It was also arrange for me to see a psychologist who worked with my psychiatrist. This psychologist at first left me somewhat cold but the psychiatrist encouraged me to continue to see the psychologist. I found that the best part of the psychologist was that I could talk on for the time about whatever was on my mind without judgment or for that matter too much directing me, just hearing where I was at in I think a Rogerian context. This together with a different combination of medication has now got me to a place with my mental health where I have more good days than bad days. The bad days are manageable because I know the way back out of the pit of despair. I was able to see the psychologist with no cost to myself. Do not get into some self help groups because well meaning but untrained people can be very dangerous to our mental health.
My advice is to seek till you find what will work for you. Do not accept second best. You do know the way back from “the brink” as we all do. Do not get caught up with what others tell you what works for them, and feel you have failed because it did not work for you. There is Hope just hang in and on..Life can and will be beautiful once again.
