[Menrhenes]

Ok let me begin by giving a brief background of myself. I am 18 years young, and I work as a projectionist at two movie theatres. I am working about 60-70 hours a week. I mention this because it might be a factor. Now as a projectionist I am secluded to a small dark room for hours and hours ( friday, saturday, sunday I work 16 hours as a projectionist). Whilst in the booth I sit alone in darkness and all I hear for 16 hours is the repetive clicking and chattering of a projector. Now I work really hard because I am in charge of supervising employees, maintainance, and the projectors tackalling all of these during a shift. The past month is has been very difficult with the holidays and all. Now while in the booth, I have been seeing things, misinterpretting what I am seeing and I hear things like people talking and there is no one around. I hear the door to projection open and close when nothing is happening. I also have been having alot of mechanical failures that I can't explain and neither can the other projectionists explain. I think there might be a ghost in the booth because things have been happening that defy the laws of electricity and physics, and the other projectionists have seen the results and can't fix the technical issues either, but they always occur on my shift, no one elses. Now I am getting blamed and I think my job might be in jeapordy. To top it off I have been getting VERY little sleep (2-3 hours a night) and I have been drinking alot, on and off the job. I have also become very sexually active, much more than usuall. After christmas I am going to take some time off and see a head doctor or something and I was wanting to know how do I do this, because I don't want my parents to know so I don't worry them. I have no idea what number to call or anything.

[Perna]

Most state psychological associations have free referral 800 numbers to call. Look up your state's association online, state name psychological association, and it should give a web page and that would give you a good number. Or, a phone book/yellow pages, look up "psychologists" and find a "service" which is a collection of various psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, etc. and they interview you and figure out what you need, etc.

I would get some sleep, good regular hours/food, off the drinking, etc. and see if some things didn't straighten out. Does sound like you're not getting enough sleep, drinking too much, working too many hours straight, etc. Isn't something anyone else can "fix" for you, you have to do those parts yourself?

[breezer]

Sounds like you are overworked and underslept, and that the sensory deprivation that you experience while in that dark projection booth for hours on end is playing tricks on your mind a wee bit. Not that this will explain away the technical difficulties with the equipment, but it certainly isn't uncommon to be having odd sensory experiences given the pairing of "sensory deprivation and lack of sleep." Your alcohol consumption may also be magnifying this mix.
"taking a little time off"" seems to be in order, and exploring other employment avenues may also be a good idea for you.

As to your recent promiscuity, be sure to use protection EACH and EVERY time.

welcome to PC.

sounds as if you aren't getting enough sleep.....sleep deprivation, as stated above, can cause hallucinations....and the alcohol will definitely add to your stress.

can you work less hours? talk to your boss and explain that you can't handle the job the way you want to when you're spending that much time there?

good luck and keep posting.........pat

[wally]

I can identify in part with your situation and from personal experience,I would suggest that you tell your parents so that they can help if at all possible. Good luck.

[TouchedByFire]

Oh, you are in a tough spot right now. So sorry.

Once again, everyone has given excellent advice and I have little to add!

One of the ways I "sort out" doctors is to ask other doctors about who they believe is an excellent pdoc.

I also look in the area phone book and gather the names of the pdocs. I then run them through the State data base on licensed physicians. This gives education, background, areas of subspecialty (ies), experience, etc. This also indicates if there's any record of complaint(s) and the status of the complaint. Was the doc's license temporarirly revoked? Etc., etc.

You can tell quite a bit, with a fair amount of accuracy, by reviewing schools/programs attended, etc. You can also "google" the doc's name and see what comes up! You might find the doc is a co-author of a published study or studies. You might find out he or she is the President of the State Medical Association or a President of a sub-category thereof. You might even find record(s) of discipline in a different State(s).

This method can seem lengthy, but getting an evaluation by and/or into treatment with one of the better doctors in your area is in your very best interest!

Good luck! Looking forward to hearing how you are doing!

**Blessings** ~TBF~