Dealing With Depression, Anxiety Etc

[Ardan]

I have been having problems since I was a kid with anxiety, depression etc due to an abusive step farther, he was physically, sexually and mentally abusive until my teens (sexually when I was a 6) and in March I went to see a psychiatrist due to a rough few years during a court case against my step dad, he was jailed. I have been on several medications to help and I am getting CBT from a nurse but my psychiatrist doesn't seem to understand how bad my anxiety and depression is, it’s ruining my life and it’s severe and I am finding it hard to cope with even though I am learning coping mechanisms and she just makes me think I’m not trying hard enough and that CBT will just be a quick fix.

Is it normal to feel like this? My nurse is brilliant and without her I wouldn't be here today, it also makes me think that my psychiatrist is thinking my nurse isn't doing her job correctly and it’s beginning to annoy me now because she is doing her job correctly.

I don’t know what to think.

[scorpiojo]

Have you told your psychiatrist any of this, Ardan?

[Tilly2]

Have you discussed this 'annoyance' with your psychiatrist?

[Ardan]

@scorpiojo

I would like too but she is hard to approach if that makes sense, she's very strict and to be honest, a know it all, I appreciate she is a Dr but she really doesn't listen well, I will have to discuss it with my nurse when she's back from sick leave.

[Tilly2]

Could you ask for a change of psychiatrist?

[scorpiojo]

If you're finding it difficult to talk to her, is there another psychiatrist or psychologist you could be referred to? Have you discussed this with your GP?

This may be useful

http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk

[Ardan]

@Tilly, there is only one Psychiatrist at the hospital now and it's her, I would like to give her a chance but I find it hard approaching people and getting things off my chest, I will figure out a way.

[Ardan]

@scorpiojo, My GP is useless, took me 4 years to get to see a specialist but I will go in and have a chat with him and see what other options there are, also thank you for that website, I appreciate it :)

[Tilly2]

Have you discussed your worries with your nurse?

[scorpiojo]

What about writing down how you feel and, when you next see your psychiatrist, giving her the letter if you can't tell her yourself? Do you only have one GP available?

Talk to your nurse and see if there are any anxiety/depression groups you could join ( if you feel able to), in your area.

[Tilly2]

Those are very good suggestion, jo.

[scorpiojo]

Thank you, Tilly.

(excuse this, Ardan. Have you been away, Tilly?.)

[Tilly2]

Yes, I have, jo. Back safe and sound.

[coinman]

not sure I can help at all but apart from the abuse etc you sound a bit like me. I suffer from anxiety depression and OCD. I went through a course of CBT but mine was a group session and I think I was the only one out of ten of us who benefited. I still have bouts of anxiety and quite bad depression but they don't last as long. Stick with it and know you are not alone and I hope it will get better.

[Tilly2]

If you have only been seeing your psychiatrist since March, it's still early days I would say. Your anxiety and depression will not disappear overnight, You have to give yourself time to heal.

[Ardan]

I have been going through treatments with my GP, just seem to be going around and around, I know there is no quick fix but I am just struggling to hang on, my mental health is in tatters.

[chrissa1]

Maybe your medication needs to be looked at again.

[askyourgran]

I think jo's advice is sound. Write all your concerns down and give it to the psychiatrist. It sounds as though you get on Ok with your Nurse so I would confide in her, she may help you to put the letter together, and give you advice on groups to join. Keep thinking positively Ardan you can get over this.

[pixie373]

They need to know you're still struggling. The medication needs to be right first, CBT might help in 6-9 months once you're on a level. I would see a different GP and go from there - unless you've been diagnosed with something else you haven't mentioned, you don't need to deal with a psychiatrist. You just need a GP who understands it (many don't).