Absolute Frustration - RANT

Idk where else to put this, so if this is the wrong spot then I apologize!

I finally decided to seek help and didn’t hold back.
I have severe anxiety & knew my thoughts were off the wall - potentially psychotic even.
I did an intake with a mental health facility back in October, waited a week or two to get in, got in on the second of November & did a referral to a nurse practitioner. Still no response on my case.
How long do I have to wait to finally get help, or feel more stabilized?
Why does it have to take so long? Do I really need to be hospitalized to get the help that I need quickly?
That’s exactly what I’m trying to avoid due to trauma from my last hospitalization in 2015.
I know there’s a shortage and the pandemic really messed up a lot of things, but I’m over suffering like this.
I think my thoughts are so horrible because I’m finally confronting them and being open about them & it’s scary. I feel vulnerable and as if I can’t even trust my own thoughts. It’s also hard to connect with others when they play like they do in the background of my mind…
I just want to get better. Guess that I have no choice but to wait.

Sometimes you've got to reach out over and over until they attend to you. I know it's hard - truthfully - it's probably the last thing you want to do. It's really hard to reach out.

And I don't think they're ignoring you necessarily, at least that's what I try to remind myself when I feel ignored by mental health professionals.

Anyway, do you have some way to contact them?

When I was miserable and it was taking forever to see a psychiatrist, I went to the ER and checked myself in voluntarily. I was able to see the psychiatrist and get my meds adjusted the next day.

If you can afford to pay a psychiatrist out of pocket, you can probably see one soon. But if you have to wait on insurance or government aid, it can take a really long time. I'm really glad I checked myself in and got the help I needed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WastingAsparagus Sometimes you've got to reach out over and over until they attend to you. I know it's hard - truthfully - it's probably the last thing you want to do. It's really hard to reach out. And I don't think they're ignoring you necessarily, at least that's what I try to remind myself when I feel ignored by mental health professionals. Anyway, do you have some way to contact them?

^^this^^

Nationally and state by state their is a psychiatrist shortage. Wait lists are very long and it kicks people into crisis management types of places when maybe no crisis help is necessary. They say this is due to aging doctors and not enough new ones to replenish the pool.

Also I believe psychiatrists are paid a lot less than other doctors. You could be a dermatologist and make big bucks or settle for less with psychiatry.

I never heard this but it would kind of explain why mental health is such a low priority in American culture. And if other doctors make more money, then it's more about money than helping people.

Know I sound cynical but so weary of mental/emotional health not given the attention it deserves, esp. after COVID hit and they kept telling us to isolate ourselves or sit at home and wash our hands. Government has been indifferent or callous about the emotional toll; it's not even acknowledged. They keep talking about the physical effects of COVID. That's important too but so is our mental well being among all this uncertainty.

I won't be able to do anything, anything at all, when I'm frustrated. I'll have an outburst of wrath for no apparent reason, and it'll take away my ability to concentrate. I'm not sure how I'm going to get rid of this. This is definitely bothering me, and I can't imagine myself in that situation.

Thank you everyone for the support and reaching out. I’m sorry that this seems to be such a common issue amongst those of us who do struggle with mental health!

Good news : T & I are working out a weekly schedule until med consult in January on the 4th. I’m nervous, and know I have to keep holding on. I’m trying to cope until then. I don’t believe the meds will cure me, but rather make my life just a tad bit easier.

Bad news : coping for that amount of time… especially during the busy busy busy holiday season - stress GALORE!

I'm glad your therapist is helping you out.

Meds made a big difference for me. Life is actually manageable when I'm on them.

Good post. It does suck having to reach out over and over, it's very hard to reach out especially when we have been previously traumatised by these or similar people.

I'm glad you have a therapist! There are not many good therapists in this area (different area). Thanks for the update

Yes it is, like the way I have to keep trying over and over to make "real connections" with people in real life, real friends. And over and over they disappoint or betray me.

So I'm taking a break for awhile. I'm burnt out.

Good news : I made it to January without having to end up in the hospital. Not that there is anything wrong with having to be hospitalized, but right now it would just be wayyyy too much.

The NP that I saw right off the bat read some of my records and suggested a mood stabilizer. Thank god. Unfortunately, the one she suggested isn’t really something I was 100% comfortable due to past psychiatric abuse situation (long story), but we decided on Tegretol. So far so good besides some weird neurological side effects. I also have been waking up with paranoia and panic attacks which seem to subside a lot faster than they have before. Thank you everyone. I know my journey doesn’t stop here, but I appreciate all of the support to get me to this milestone!

I'm glad you were able to get on some meds that help.