[Elspeth]

How can I get help? I have been to the uni councellor
and she seemed quite disinterested and possibly just a little condescending, as if my problems weren't really problems. I mean they are not huge. I just feel loney and sad all the time. I have problems sleeping and can't concentrate on anything. I would really prefer not to feel worthless at life but it seems that I can't snap out of it. I've seriously tried for the better part of this year to "go it alone". But that hasn't really turned out so well. So what do I do? I don't want to go back to the uni one, because that was a horrid experiance and I don't want to talk over the phone. I mean I'm not even sure whether I need this, my problems don't seem that bad in comparison to everyone else here. (I feel bad even being here, because its like someone more deserving should get your attention) (and I know by saying that it's like saying "look at me", but it feels even worse not to say it) aghhh... this is what drives me insane, the whole back and forward-ness of my mind. I can't even seem to concentrate enough to make this make sense.
How can I get help? Do I go to a normal doctor? What do I say to them? Do I talk to them as if they're a councellor? Do I ask straight out "can I have a referral?" I'd really like to hear someone else's experiances.
Thanks.

welcome to pc (((Elspeth))
I think starting your with your Dr is a great idea.
take this post with you

[justfloating]

Hi Elspeth, welcome to PC!

You're not wasting anyone's time here by posting. I agree with Muffy, your regular doctor would be a good place to start. That's what I did. I told my doctor I hadn't been feeling right for a very long time, that I'd become weepy, that I wasn't sleeping or concentrating well, etc... Just list the things that are wrong. The doctor will probably want to run a few tests to rule out any physical reasons for the way you're feeling. If you're diagnosed with depression, you can then ask for a referral for a therapist or counsellor.

About your uni counsellor, it's very upsetting to hear how insensitive she was. It's her job as a student counsellor to listen to and respect student problems. If she made your experience so horrible that you don't want to go back to student support, then she wasn't doing her job. Don't let her or anyone else make you think that there's little validity to your problems. They're your problems, and if they're upsetting to you, then you have every right to do what you need to in order to address them and get on with your life.

Good luck. Keep us posted on how everything goes, and again, welcome!

[Pomegranate]

Hi again Elspeth. Muffy and justfloating said what I had to say. I want to emphasize that you should not compare yourself with anyone else here, except in good ways that help you relate.

What seems "minor" or "not that big a deal" to one person can be pretty devastating to another. Be glad you haven't had the really bad experiences some here have had, but do not discount your own feelings.

I can hear your pain and frustration. I think you need to find someone that you feel comfortable with - a professional - and get real honest about your feelings. Anyone, especially a professional therapist of any type, who would give you the impression that you and your problems are no big deal needs to be ignored and looked on with distain. You need help. You DESERVE help. I hope you will find help and take good care of yourself. And keep posting here to make friends and let us know how you are doing.

[Elspeth]

Thanks for your encouraging posts! They helped. But I can't do anything untill after my exams finish in two weeks, shouldn't even be here as I'm wasting potential study time.....

Unfortunately today was not a good day. I made a timetable yesterday to try and stay motivated to do my work, cos I have an exam tomorrow but I wasn't able to concentrate or do much at all. I just ended up sleeping half my day away... again. Which made me feel even studpider/lazy-er/even less motivated because I was so bad at life.

I made the stupid timetable because my mum told me it would help to schedule some "free time" and "exercise" into my life, but it ended up just making me feel worse because I wasn't able to stick to it. (I think she suspects that all is not right in Elspeth-world).

Then this afternoon I tried practicing my exam with my bf, and it turned into this whole thing where we end up talking about how I've got to get my life together otherwise I'll ruin our relationship...blah blah blah.. It seems like I can't do anything right.

sigh... I really do think I'm bad at life.