Am I Being Pathetic?

[Keenbean]

Thanks guys!

I don't really know what my options are...it's tricky really because my psychiatrist isn't the one doing the therapy, he's the one looking after my medication and doing my bipolar reviews every so often. I get frustrated with him for being so dismissive about my flashbacks and the resulting effects but then tell myself that it doesn't matter so much if he doesn't understand- it's my counsellor who is actually delivering the therapy and I have a great relationship with her. But of course, because the flashbacks are now affecting my mood so badly, it does become important for him to understand really. I honestly couldn't believe that a consultant psychiatrist was suggesting that flashbacks are no more than bad memories- I don't expect him to be an expert in everything, but surely that is fairly fundamental stuff?!

Anyway, I see my counsellor next week, I will talk to her about the best way forward. When I was having the flashbacks a few years ago she did write to him and tell him about my dissociative episodes after I have flashabacks (at that time, I could be out of it for weeks when they were really bad) but he didn't really take much notice back then either. I see him again next week too, so I will try my best to discuss it with him again and see if I get anywhere this time...

Cheers guys!

 

[Die Hard The Hunter]

I honestly couldn't believe that a consultant psychiatrist was suggesting that flashbacks are no more than bad memories- I don't expect him to be an expert in everything, but surely that is fairly fundamental stuff?!

Well it's good that you have that kind of discernment. Not everyone does. I don't know what flashbacks are exactly, but if they were just bad memories, I doubt that we would have a separate term for them.

Is the psychiatrist's attitude becoming a negative influence on you? If so, it might be a problem, even if he's little more than a pill-dispenser. Shouldn't a person prescribing you mind-altering substances treat the matter with a little more sophistication?

 

[Keenbean]

Well you would think so...like I said, I don't expect him to be an expert but surely he should have a vague grasp of the basics?! I don't know, maybe I am expecting too much from someone in general adult psychiatry who isn't a specialist.

I saw him again last week and got myself so anxious and wound up that I just couldn't talk to him at all. It doesn't help that I have to go to the hospital to see him and I hate being anywhere near any psychiatric ward because that is where some of the stuff in my flashbacks happens. But I get so frustrated afterwards. I go there, determined that this time I will talk. And then I don't, I come out so upset and disappointed with myself that the first thing I want to do is self-harm. Thankfully I am much better at speaking to my psychotherapist (and she has very well developed mind-reading skills which helps!) and she is keen to speak to my psychiatrist and try to help things along a bit if I am okay with it. At first I wasn't because it felt like I should be able to talk to him myself and letting her help would be giving in. Now I can see that it might be the only way to move things forwards. And it couldn't possibly make things any worse....

Something needs doing anyway, I can't stay stuck in this situation for ever!

Cheers,
KB