Professionals

[Ginger Harp Seal Pup]

What IS the point of profesionals? They never appear to help. Some of you might have read about my problems with some sort of mental disorder that's a little further down this page. So, yesterday I went to see the doctor and gave him a diary of my moods. In that diary were my bouts of depression. I had two big episodes in two months and a lot of seperate days where I was feeling depressed. I also had two episodes of happiness without any real cause and during these periods of extreme happiness was when I started seeing things - hallucinations, I presume. They were scary and at the time these visions in the corners of my eyes seemed very real.

What doctor would dismiss that as normal? How could anyone dismiss this as normal? Tell me people, does this happen to you too? He told me that I'm not depressed, that everyone has up and down moods and he said that through the month of December I was practically fine. I can tell you now, I was not fine. He said that the hallucinations were not actually hallucinations but figments of my imagination because of my liking for reading and writing horror stories. That isn't true. Not true at all and I KNOW it isn't. I've realised I've got a problem and as much as it hurts to realise this, I've got to sort this out. But no one will help me.

I saw a psychiatric nurse two years ago, when I was 19, and after three or four sessions she discharged me and said I was just going through teenage angst but that it had started later than normal for me. My mental health deteriorated further in the year. So far, since I was discharged, I've stalked two people that I knew online, I've self-harmed, had these horrible, nasty thoughts that take over my entire mind at some stages, had mood swings going from the pits of depression from the highs of complete euphoria and at one stage became convinced that a girl who doesn't like me was spying on me through neomail because she was sending these messages containing nothing but gibberish to me. This is NOT normal. I want to change. I'd like to get help, I'd like to get treatment, I'd like to stop feeling this way and get a normal life. But how can I when the professional people don't actually listen to me, don't believe me, don't WANT to help me?

[whhattisthiss]

Oh Ginger, I'm so sorry D: I read your other post about the hallucinations, but didn't reply because I didn't know what to tell you. I've gone through a lot too, but no doctor has ever told me I was fine (well, now they do, but then they didn't). Get a second opion, hell, get fifteen opinions, this is your head and only you really know what's going on inside of it, and if one doctor says otherwise, he should have his license revoked I know it's a lot to handle, but just be proud you're still here, and please don't hurt yourself I've gone through that before, and I was hospitalized because of it and now four years later I'm a semi-strong-ish person with many scars and a lot of regrets.

The only thing I can suggest to you (though I'm sure you've tried it) is check out all the doctors in your area who specialize in mental disorders. Don't give up, you deserve peace of mind.

[Asthaloth]

My inital response to this (The doctors casual report that everyone has ups and downs) contained some bad words, a few casual references to some bad actions and probably a few slanderous remarks to boot.
That would have been wrong, and as I have been working to control these outbursts I shall approach this in a calm manner.


Right, first off, in my experience Psychiatric doctors are Quacks.
Or down-right silver tongued liars, but thats my personal experience with a couple so we shan't tarnish them all with that experience.
Anyway, yes, Quacks.

The best piece of advice I can give, is for you to talk, openly to a single person, I Don't think it matters who, but you must tell them the full details, everything thats going on, everything that you see, hear, feel etc.
Then, approach a Medical Practitioner (Normal, I give out prescriptions for hurts of the body, type doctor) Talk to her and explain about the depression, ive had fairly good experiences with these folk, with some luck, she'll be able to help you.

You should however, be prepared for the side effects of the medicines she may give you, they aren't really appropriate talking for this open message so I'll Pm you if you desire to now.



- Philip

[Mongrel]

I understand your problems with professionals, but sometimes it's just a matter of being the wrong person for your problem. I've seen a lot of people around my age or younger who seem to either be overmedicated or have their problems dismissed as "normal" teenage behavior when in fact they have problems that require treatment of some sort.
So shop around for your professional help. Keep looking for someone who at least isn't dismissing your problem as nothing when it's affecting your life.

[Asparagus Queen]

Sorry Ginger. It goes the other way too. I don't, and never had, a problem with depression that would be classified as a medical problem (just your normal teenage depression when I was younger of course). However I did get horrible migraines when I was around 20. A doctor told me I was stressed (it was spring break from college, and I LOVED my low hour job, and was living for free with my mom. What stress? I was a happy kid!) and depressed. Gave me some pills and told me they were migraine pills. They were also anti-depression pills that were addictive. I was a bit up-down moody trying to come off of those when I found out what they were. Who was that doctor to tell me my migraines were depression and stress?!?

[Kitten Medli]

Thats terrible. My suggestion is to keep trying till you find someone who believes you. I've watched some shows on tv where people cannot get diagnosed and Doctors will not believe them, until they finally find someone and they turn up to have a problem. So just don't give up, and please don't ever hurt yourself! I don't want you to. :[

If you ever need someone to talk to you can PM me (or you can ask for my AIM, I don't want to put it up freely). I'll say some prayers you can figure this all out. :)

[Hil]

You have to keep trying. I know what it's like, believe me, and it is very frustrating. Try a different doctor. You probably just haven't found the right one yet.

[Igg]

Go to a different Doctor. You have a right to request a different one. You also have a right to a referral to a psychiatric specialist- GPs are not very good with depression and the like.

[Ginger Harp Seal Pup]

Thank you for your comments. It makes me really angry that professionals seem to diagnose people wrongly and help those who don't actually have problems, yet tell the people that DO have problems that there's nothing wrong with them.

Anyway, I'm going to make an appointment with another doctor and see what he has to say about this. I'm also going to ask him if he can refer me to see a psychiatrist.

[yvonne_l_d]

It is very annoying when doctors are so proud that they ignore your concerns. I'm glad you're not letting it stop you, though. If you know you need assistance, than go for it. If you keep trying you'll find a professional who's right for you.

[_jaye_]

First off, don't meant to burst your bubble, but not all professionals are useless. Sometimes even these so called professionals aren't really professionals. To an extent, finding a 'right' person depends on your luck. My advice on finding the 'right' person is to ask around other people who live nearby who you feel would understand/the same as you and if their docs give them useful help.

But I really wouldn't rely on doctors. Of course, experiences you had - those hallucinations - maybe need medication, but I think that ultimately you are your own doctor. You might have done this already, but try, really try, sitting down alone and think through what triggered your moods. Hormones is a pretty safe bet for most of them. I think? But really, you are the only one who can sort out your own emotional/mental problems. Self-harming, nasty thoughts, mood swings, been there, done that before. But I was the only one who could help myself out of this case.

Docs (or so-called docs, if you prefer) dismiss your case as normal because either they're too stupid to figure it out and can't be bothered, or perhaps they just don't understand you. Try to make them understand, describe in detail. Make them listen to you, that's what you paid for. But remember that these docs don't know how your mind words; they can't read it like an exam question and answer it according to the criteria.

And you know what? It sounds really corny, but do believe in yourself. Sometimes it takes courage to believe in yourself, but at least try. Believe that you'll be able to get out.

But yea. Self-proclaimed Professionals? Who knows if they really are professionals.

[Alex]

You may not be dealing with the right people. I would definitely shop around for another doctor, until you find one who you thinks is actually listening to you and not trying to fob you off.

When I had depression, my GP was great. But that's because she was also a really nice person, and because my depression was connected to post-viral syndrome (form of chronic fatigue), which she diagnosed me with.

However. My parents, (mother in particular), upon finding out about this diagnosis, decided that I had to go around and get the best medical advice possible. So I ended up seeing 3 separate shrinks, and an counsellor.

None of them helped me. I'm not an open person; talking to them did nothing except made the problem worse in some cases. Eventually I managed to overcome it, but the people who "specialised" in this kind of thing were absolutely useless.

What I'm basically trying to say, is look around, and find somebody you're comfortable with, and who you feel is actually respecting what you say. Who you're comfortable with is different for everyone.

[Ginger Harp Seal Pup]

I have another appointment with a different doctor tomorrow. I've not seen this doctor before, but my mom has. She says he isn't the best but my local doctors surgery says he's the only one, other than my own doctor, that I can see. We will see how it goes anyway.

[May]

Through my own personal experience, I have had the best luck with my primary physician. It took a couple of visits with him, but he did diagnose depression and prescribed medication.

As has been suggested, keep trying different doctors. If you find one that listens even a little bit, try seeing that person more than once. The better your doctor gets to know you, the better he or she can help you.

If you need a listening ear, feel free to PM me or send me an IM or e-mail. Keep your chin up Ginger. ::hugs::

[Asthaloth]

But really, you are the only one who can sort out your own emotional/mental problems. Self-harming, nasty thoughts, mood swings, been there, done that before. But I was the only one who could help myself out of this case.

As a sufferer myself I can honestly, and brutally, say that that is rubbish.
Or rather, I should say not always true.
Sure, some can get themselves out of their personal rutt, as you say you have (Not doubting you mind) but others cannot.
Me, I can't take the mediction, they simply don't work anymore, nor do they on my father.
Why? Because not everyone will overcome these problems, it's simply not always possible.