Lived Experience Forum

[Former-Member]

Hi was curious regarding what is the thing that made the most distinct improvement in your MH? For example - a new relationship or a job etc?

i believe for me it’s starting study, a new career altogether - because it provided access to sources of health support as an add on that I wouldn’t otherwise find 

[NatureLover]

For me it was when my new psychiatrist put me on stronger antidepressants. Before that I was in bed for 3 years, severely suicidal, mostly unable to function. 

[TuxedoCat]

ohh great question @Former-Member 

Firstly, so glad you've had this profound change! I'm curious, what was the health add on from study/work? 

For me, the single biggest change for me has been getting the correct diagnosis. Finally having that meant I could find an online community and follow social media accounts created by people with lived experience. Through that, I found the most useful coping strategies for me.

And also, finding the right therapist. For me, I don't think it had an immediate positive impact but overtime, it helped me to change reeeaaallllyyy unhelpful ways of thinking, taught me how to put in boundaries and a whole heap of other things. Basically, those coping strategies took a while to become second nature, but now I do them almost unconsciously! 

[Delicatessen]

A few things. Getting diagnosed correctly in the first place as bipolar. Getting my cocktail of meds right (finally). Making a decision to stop drinking (and then deciding to continue to stay off the grog). Living by my values. Developing a deep commitment to walking and hiking and anything outdoors. Falling genuinely in love with cooking. Achieving (almost) my goal weight.

And I needed to do ALL of it. Taking care of my mental well being is easier I think when you tell yourself that my mental illness is only one dimension of myself. Food for thought…

[Former-Member]

@TuxedoCat
I found my study institution’s events on psychological topics to be strategy based which encouraged me to be proactive and self compassionate. For example I was encouraged to develop a systematic relapse plan.

I’m yet to benefit from a long term counsellor - I find they take ages to tell me something to implement in my life as they spend many sessions assessing me. I find recalling my history daunting, and rather just address current symptoms. So I am yet to verify the diff in models with GP.

I haven’t fully recovered though was on antipsychotics for a couple of years amidst relapses. My biggest challenge now is connecting with people.

[Former-Member]

I found out today my psychologist (seen 5 times this year, 4 times the last - at 3 different practices), didn't have my mental health care plan though indicated that she did in our first session (ie she asked what I hope to get out/why I was there - and I replied I'd like your to be my psychologist as per my referral and follow my MHPlan).

Today, I didn't get anything out of the session as I spent time summarising for her the work we have done so far I response to the circular questions she kept taking me, while saying very little and letting me do all the work (despite having done exactly the same in our first session this year - as I was seeing her after a few months due to her change of practice). As she abruptly closed our session today, I had a confronting exchange regarding this when I pointed it out the above.

Seeing her has been indeed helpful some of the time. I'd say 3.5/9 session have been valuable and leaving 2 sessions as getting to know time let's say just under half the time. As a personal click, she is usually good.

For context, I have tried 4 other psychologists who have not been suitable. I was a bit stressed today to begin (but not much) - yet I believe this should be the job of the psychologist to decipher through it (and she has been good at this sometimes as mentioned before).

Which of the following is recommended?

- I patch-up today's confrontation and continue with her despite above concerns (not letting me knowing she didn't have my MH plan in particular)

- Try another psychologist (at the cost of a possible waitlist/and more assessment time - thus delay) 

- Third option....? 

Thanks in advance!!

[Helpmeheal]

@Former-Member … for me I need to do a mix of things to feel better, and that mix changes.

on good days, walking and going to the gym helps, and spending time with friends. But on bad days, that’s too much… I lie in bed in the dark and listen to white noise.

I try to make the most of my better days because I know that exercising really helps. But some days… I am just surviving. And maybe part of that is also not giving myself a hard time for not being better.

[tyme]

Hi @Former-Member ,

It's hard to say what you should or shouldn't do because it's ultimately your choice.

I know for me, I didn't have a very good case manager (or so i thought), but then after a specialist in my treating team got on the phone to him and gave him more of an understanding of my needs, he became the best case manager I've had (oh, he was a senior clinician by the way). In fact, since being discharged from case management, I now see him at his private clinic.

So I'm glad I persisted with this therapist.

On the other hand, there are some I've seen once or twice and said "NO WAY"... then left.

What does your intuition say?

tyme

[Former-Member]

I missed this post Tyme. After chatting with a support person I have, I didn't continue with her, but that was mutually agreed.

I have a couple of "psychologist" figures at the moment so it's working out fine so far.