psych doc - 4 weeks wait

I'm on 40 mg of Fluoxetine for depression - been seeing psychiatrist and counselor until I moved/relocated in August. At that time, I established a primary care (who has refilled my script) and a counselor, but no psychiatrist.

I have been dealing with a lot of stuff lately - going to school full time, working full time (at a job that I started in Sept), and I know my depression is getting worse.

Here's where I'm at today...

- Feeling hopeless
- Low self-esteem
- Feeling like I'm never going to amount to anything
- Bad body image - severe self hatred
- Lack of interest in anything
- Feeling sad over the stupidest things
- Feeling like I should punish myself for being so stupid (I am NOT going to hurt myself and do not plan to, but I still feel like I deserve it).

I called my primary to talk to a nurse and see what to do. I also called a few psychiatrists to see how long a wait would be to establish myself as a new patient. The soonest appt is in 4 weeks. I'm hoping the nurse calls me back but who knows when or what she'll say.

My question is, what else can I be doing?

To top it off, my bf called and it looks like he might be losing his job. We live together so he's going to come home and want to talk about it. I just don't have it in me. And his birthday is this week. He's going to be feeling down, himself, and I'm going to have to try and pull it together to help him feel better? Idk if I can...

Just wanted to offer some support, I'm feeling about in the same place. I hate that psychiatrists always seem to be so booked up. A couple of weeks ago I brought up going on meds for the first time since I started seeing my counselor in July. That day we were able to make an appointment for me to see a psych in the same facility on March 17, 5 weeks out. In the meantime, I'm feeling closer and closer to losing it on my own.

I can empathize about having to be supportive of your boyfriend. I feel so useless when my boyfriend is feeling down, because I don't know how to help him when I'm in such a bad place myself. Maybe you two can find something enjoyable to do together, might bring up both your spirits?

Sorry you have to wait so long!

4 weeks feels like an eternity. It will come one day or hour at a time.... You CAN do it.

There is a list of helplines in a sticky thread at the top of this forum.
Please phone a suicide helpline or any other support line in your area. That is what they are there for!

I make use of the U.K. Samaritans and they have helped me through a lot. A friend of mine even had one of them talk to her all night until she felt safe enough to go to sleep. They were pleased to do it and even arranged for someone to call later to see if she was ok.

Whatever they offer, it's worth it to help through the next weeks. YOU are worth it, you DESERVE it.

I hope you find support to make it through this nightmare. And keep posting here. People here do understand and want the best for you.

4 weeks is a long time but you can do it. I've been waiting 4 months to see mine finally seeing her in a week.

Thanks for the support guys. I saw my primary care physician and I asked if she gets normal patients with these feelings. She said that I'd be surprised how many people she helps. She said she's going to try and reach out to a psych doc for me and get me in sooner than 4 weeks. In the meantime, she added Wellbutrin (150 mg, so it's a low dose). I'm meeting back with her in 2 weeks to check in. She was really nice and reassuring.

Another thing she said- Fluoxetine isn't great for people that have anxiety and depression. She said they make much better stuff now that targets both. Prozac/fluoxetine was the first generation of SSRIs. Interesting. She said she'll leave that major changes up to the psych doc. In the meantime, she's trying to get me back on track with Wellbutrin. How long do you think it'll work? I know it's anywhere from 2 weeks to a month or even longer. Any chance it'll happen sooner?

Hugs Nitrous. I know how you feel! Good for you for making an appt though.

Halloween- that's so long! How are you handling the wait? Why so long?

Fuzzy- thanks for the support. I'm not suicidal. I can say I hate myself but I'm not going to do anything drastic. Thanks for the concern.

I haven't handled the wait.i was in hospital a few weeks ago as I really wasn't handling it. Why so long? I think I can only blame the state of the NHS. I really do appreciate free healthcare, but mental health does not have enough funding. It doesn't help that my 'care coordinator' was next to useless. I have a new one now though so hopefully things will improve

I hope so too! Best of luck.

Sometimes the NHS is so good, but mental health is such a Cinderella.

I'm so glad you have a good primary care doc! Sending encouraging wishes and hugs.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr I agree

Thinking of you