@eskielover - it goes to show how big a role luck can play in getting hooked up to support that really helps. You did get lucky in getting the two psychologists that you found so helpful. You had the good sense to maintain your connection to the 2nd psychologist.

Psychologists do have a very different focus from psychiatrists. The latter prescribe, and that's about it. I briefly was seeing a psychologist at a community clinic about 20 years ago. She took a sincere interest, which felt very encouraging. I think she moved on and the clinic closed.

It's also true that we sometimes have to make our own luck. I'm a strong and effective advocate for others. Somehow I get way less effective in advocating for me. I'm starting to ask myself what I'ld be doing, if someone close to me was mentally distressed and in need of professional attention. I'ld keep a cool head, but I'ld hold the doctor's feet to the fire and convey that a problem needs to be addressed. When I did that for others, I tended to prevail. Your story illustrates another thing. One connection can lead to another. The first psychologist hooked you up with the second. The important thing is to start somewhere. Where you start may not be exactly where you need to be, but it can be a stepping stone. Sometimes you have to jump thru a hoop or two before you land where you need to be. There can be resources you don't even know are out there. You find a door, knock on it, and see what's on the other side. It may be a corridor leading to another door.

I actually had a very good day. I use the services of a professional organizer once in a while. She came today for a 3 hour session. My apartment has been in disarray since Christmas. Well, we got this place whipped into shape pretty good today. My living room looks so nice right now. We threw out a big pile of stuff. Just having my home environment made orderly greatly helps my state of mind. So I may have really turned a corner today. Getting chaos sorted out does wonders for my state of mind. I'm tired, but tomorrow I'll wake up to a neat apartment, which will help me focus on what I want to look into by way of activities that will get me out of the house. There is a lot available where I live.

I think I'm going to make progress, if I make some effort every day. I thank all who've posted to this thread. It has kept the little flame of hope lit inside me, while I was feeling so defeated.