[hartbroken]

I don't know what to say or do to help myself. I feel awful. I don't know if I believe in psychiatry anymore. "Mental illness" is just a bunch of labels, anyway, right? I am lost and feeling like I don't know how to do anything productive or purposeful anymore.

[glok]

Hello, hartbroken. I am sorry you are having such a difficult time. Have you spoken to your psychiatrist about what you are experiencing? Some adjustments may be in order.

I wish you well.

[kaliope]

I am sorry that you are struggling right now. sounds to me that you don't have the right pdoc and haven't found the right meds yet to control your moods. I can sense your hopelessness because I have been there. it took me well over two years and a very patient pdoc to find the right meds. I went thru many pdocs, who didn't like me btw because I refused to stay on meds I didn't think were working or I didn't llike the side effects so I went off them. I went thru bout every med there is for bipolar. found a very patient pdoc and together we found the right meds and it changed my life. I haven't cycled for years now. the world is a totally different place when your moods aren't swinging around and that hopelessness is gone. I refused to settle for just kinda working meds. I wanted something that was going to fix me and I found it by being persistent. it wasn't a pleasant few years but it was worth it for what I have now. take care.

[dauntricastewart]

I don't know your problem; just consult your psychiatrist as a precautionary measure. Whatever problem do you have just be apart from it for a couple of time, spend some leisure time and then get back to your work.

[gayleggg]

Don't give up on psychiatry yet. It does pay off when they get the meds right. This may take some time and trying many combos of meds, but when you find the one you will feel much better.

And, no I don't believe it is just list of labels. Those are real illnesses and can wreck peoples lives.

[shabur]

I think I know how you feel - I've been there. It took 2 years to get the right cocktail of meds, but even then they would poop out. It got to the point that every time something knew came up or changed my pdoc would just hand me another script, but I never felt better.

Eventually I became over medicated, had a breakdown and ended up in the hospital on suicide watch and endured 12 ECT treatments. When I was admitted I was assigned a new pdoc, who is also a neurologist, and she is GREAT! Since starting with her I have had only one setback and she was on top of it, knowing what meds would work based on what I had been and was on. It took a few weeks, but that's not unusual for psychiatric meds. She was there for me the entire time.

Psychiatry is not a bunch of labels. It is using therapy and medications to change our out of whack brain chemistry and help us manage our illness. There are good psychiatrists out there. Please don't give up. Talk to your GP/PCP, your tdoc and anyone else in the medical field for referrals. Have a set of questions that address things that are important to you ready to ask as you talk to those you call or meet.

Please DON'T give up. You are worth having a happy life - and it is possible.

[hartbroken]

I'm got a referral to a new psychiatrist. I hope this will be a good move.

[shabur]

Good luck.

[ifst5]

First of all, mental illness is very very real. What is unbelievable is how stupidly we can be dealt with by professionals. I sincerely hope psychiatry can show you a more positive side but even so, a lot of the battle has to be fought alone and that's pretty rough. We're here to aid you in any way we can. In times like this i think about what i need or what i feel i can rather than can't do. And i do it. It actually displaces the guilt and i feel less burdened. Maybe 'going with it' a bit more could help for now? Just a thought, i could be totally wrong

[finebutnotokay]

Originally Posted by hartbroken

I don't know what to say or do to help myself. I feel awful. I don't know if I believe in psychiatry anymore. "Mental illness" is just a bunch of labels, anyway, right? I am lost and feeling like I don't know how to do anything productive or purposeful anymore.

honestly, i have been where you are with your thoughts. what's the point in finding out a label just to put on a form? i may as well self diagnose as the social side of the internet seems to have just made mental illness a trend or something that it's not. don't think negatively of mental illness, it won't define you like a label and it's just an asset that you can choose to tell people about or not and it will just help make things clearer and make more sense for treatment or help etc. as for feeling like nothing productive or purposeful is happening my best advice is find a hobby. one that is completely new to you so you can put all your energy in it. if you find you don't like it, search for a new one. it will keep your mind of your thoughts for a little while and help you do something for you whether its going for walks, drawing, painting, photography or anything. you do have a purpose though you just have to find it