Finding It Difficult!

[Tiger]

The GP has referred me (3 times in the last 6 months) to the mental health service and every time they have told me that I just need more contact with the GP!! I haven't seen my GP for ages, she frightens me!! I have got to go and have my wounds redressed tomorrow by the nurse and if I can muster up the bravery, I will make an appointment for the GP while I am there!! Sometimes my fear is greater than the need to see Dr's!! :banghead:

 

[Lucycat]

Can you tell this to the nurse also? Could she help you by explaining to the doctor on your behalf that you need more help? You don't need to be present at that discussion - just ask her to have a word with the doctor. Sometimes it is easier to talk to the nurse - especially while she is busy doing something else like dressings, so you don't have to make eye contact.

 

[Tiger]

:shy: I will try, lol!! I find anyone in a position of power, very, very intimidating!! I need to attempt your suggestion!! I appreciate your input!! :cry:

 

[digger]

Write it down and hand it over to her? I've said it before on other posts - you need more mental health support than you're getting. It doesn't matter if you've been referred before, if yoir situation/symptoms are worsening, you need more help. Are you still going to the group stuff? I think you've said before you had a caseworker? Who does she work for? Could she help you communicate your needs more effectively to your GP?

 

[KwanYingirl]

I can see why you feel like your GP has power over you, but consider reframing your opinion of her/him. You've been referred to mental health 3 times in 6 months, that sounds like the GP is definitely on your side. The ball is getting dropped by the mental health center. My advice is the same as Lucycat plead your case to the nurse. Ask her advice on how you can get a therapist and revisit your meds with a psychiatrist. Sound desperate which you are!!!! Don't pretend to be holding it together or uncooperative. Tell her your neighbors are concerned for you because of your night terrors. It is my opinion that when I sleep well, I can handle my PTSD fairly well. But without sleep I can't function at all. I don't eat I don't play with my dog which is horrible because she is innocent and deserves attention I don't get my mail I don't clean my house I mean I am a zombie without sleep plus all the flashbacks and intrusive memories. I really do feel your pain. Can you afford to try Reiki or gentle yoga? My sleep is 99% better now. I am 59 and I am finally sleeping a normal sleep. That's a lot of struggle. Some Reiki practitioners do it for free ask the nurse if she knows anyone that does it. TAKE ACTION. You deserve and are overdue for a review of your meds. What antipsychotic are you on? I tried five before getting real relief on geodone.

Spend ten minutes today writing down questions and requests for your visit tomorrow. You have to be your own advocate. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. You are suffering that is plain to see. PTSD is the least understood condition out there. Vets are finally getting taken seriously and unless we make noise and advocate the severity of our symptoms, they'll just let us wallow in our sorrow. Good luck tomorrow.

When I have the compulsion to cut I heat up a bag I make from two washcloths filled with feed corn-some people use rice. You microwave it for a few minutes and the heat gives me that same release that cutting does. LL BEAN sells a bunny sack filled with rice. My sister in law likes it because she can wrap it around her back.

 

[digger]

Have you heard any more from rape crisis re. One to one therapy?

 

[Tiger]

I had phone call from the r*** crisis about a week ago to let me know that I have moved up the list! They told me that I still have quite a wait!! I had almost given up on that because it was nearly 18 months ago when I requested a therapist!! I have nearly given up on everybody, including myself!! The battle just seems endless and I'm losing the will to fight it now!! :depressed:

 

[digger]

Well that's progress - I know it's still a wait but at least you are moving up the list, it is something to look towards and remind yourself it will happen. You need to work on what you are going to do to help you manage in the meantime while you are waiting. Get proactive about your care. I know how hard it can be to talk to doctors - it's something I really struggle with myself - but if they don't have the full picture then they can't help as effectively. Do you think your GP has the full picture? Does he/she know for example about you knocking yourself out? What about your support worker? Does she know how bad this has got?

Writing down what you need to say can be really helpful. Worth a shot maybe?

 

[digger]

Maybe as well, you could think about making a list of things that help, or that you can try, when you feel like you are in crisis. Make it while you're in a calmer state. Include things like crisis phone numbers, some of the suggestions you've received on here on posts that have been helpful, things that people have said that have helped you reframe things a bit, things you've used before that help... make a few copies of it so that you can keep it to hand.

Perhaps as well you might find keeping a diary on here useful. It helps me to vent and to organise my thoughts a bit easier.

 

[Tiger]

Not many people know how much I struggle!! That includes Dr's, i'm afraid!! I understand that they can't help me if they don't know the extent of it, but for some reason letting them in makes me feel even more vulnerable and even more out of control!! I guess this is very frustrating if you don't get this?? I often find that my thoughts contradict my needs and my emotions!! It's confusing at the best of times!!
I saw the nurse this morning to get my bandage changed and I tried to muster the courage to talk to her (as suggested here!) and she said that she had too many people to attend to today, but I needed to go back on Thursday and she might have more time to talk to me then!! I felt knocked back after building myself up to tell her and on the other hand I felt that maybe she wanted more time to be able to actually listen to what I had to say!! So we shall see!! On a good day this is positive!! On a bad day this is yet another rejection!!
Thank you for all of your suggestions to help me!! Sometimes I really don't deserve your kindness!!