[cool09]

I have so many things wrong I can't manage them. This has been plaguing me the last 45 years. I am currently having severe panic attacks, racing thoughts once in a while, anhedonia (lack of pleasure), asbergers syndrome, My depression has stopped. I was in the hospital last month for racing thoughts and anxiety and I started Saphris which stopped my anxiety in its tracks but I'm still not functioning very well. My panic attacks make me shake like crazy and I can't speak-they last at least 2 hrs..

[Soul Quake]

A good treatment/support team is vital. Reliable doctor(s), a helpful therapist, perhaps a service coordinator and/or peer support specialist. Friends, family to confide in. Creative outlets can help too.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Soul Quake

A good treatment/support team is vital. Reliable doctor(s), a helpful therapist, perhaps a service coordinator and/or peer support specialist. Friends, family to confide in. Creative outlets can help too.

I agree. I hear a lot about this type of support system, often referred to as "WRAP."

I understand that finding a doctor who manages medication is essential (although finding a good one is a crapshoot). A helpful therapist is so important; it takes work to find one, but it can be done.

How does one even get a service coordinator or a peer support specialist? It seems that most people with MI have one of them, so where do you sign up?

As for supportive family and friends, do you have them? Will you share?

[*Beth*]

Hey there, @cool09. We recently met on the Bipolar Disorders board. Good to see you again.

We're the same age, about. And our musical taste is quite similar, haha. I also have multiple diagnoses and struggle A LOT, especially during this season.


I completely agree with Soul Quake about having a solid support system. The challenge is in finding that system. Maybe a lot depends upon your location. And how much money you have or don't have. I think that for someone who lives in a large city a support system is easier to find than it is for someone who lives in a smaller place.

For me support groups are immensely helpful. What's your situation like now, as far as your own support system...med doctor, therapist, family, etc., etc.?

[cool09]

My only support is my father and he doesn't really understand. Don't have a therapist right now, therapy didn't work for me (never told me how to manage my anxiety!). I don't enjoy being around people, I've had a lot of criticism everywhere I've gone including poor treatment in hospitals and work. People are nasty. Have PTSD from hospitals. I've seen tons of doctors, most of them were bad. My present Dr. is easy to get along with but he hasn't done anything for me the last year. I had an ACT team 3 yrs ago and it was horrible; healthcare around here is really terrible. I've been to Johns Hopkins 6 times; I asked a Dr. there "how much do you know about mood disorders?" and she said "Not much. Maybe in 10 years we'll know more". There you have it.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by cool09

My only support is my father and he doesn't really understand. Don't have a therapist right now, therapy didn't work for me (never told me how to manage my anxiety!). I don't enjoy being around people, I've had a lot of criticism everywhere I've gone including poor treatment in hospitals and work. People are nasty. Have PTSD from hospitals. I've seen tons of doctors, most of them were bad. My present Dr. is easy to get along with but he hasn't done anything for me the last year. I had an ACT team 3 yrs ago and it was horrible; healthcare around here is really terrible. I've been to Johns Hopkins 6 times; I asked a Dr. there "how much do you know about mood disorders?" and she said "Not much. Maybe in 10 years we'll know more". There you have it.

I'm really, really sorry, cool. I wish I could wave a magic wand and make it all okay. Or at least point you in the right direction. I saw a therapist many years ago, a psychologist through the Veteran's Administration (my husband is a Vietnam vet); that man was outstanding. I have never had another therapist who was worth the gas money to drive to the clinic, usually. And so on and so forth with the rest of the "support team" situation.

IP for me was nightmarish. All I gained from it was to make sure
I never told my pdoc the words that would get me send back IP.

Anyway, what I'm saying is that I feel for you. You're sure not alone in your situation.

Can you break it down and list, say, 4 things you would like in order to feel safe and more secure in your life?

[Fuzzybear]

Personally I avoid them. I have experienced horror stories and heard too many other horror stories to risk being harmed again. They are only into ''risk management'' anyway. I am not a statistic. I do not want to disclose my location.

IP - horror stories bad enough to cause ''anyone'' PTSD

And yeah... watch my words and hardly say anything. The more I said the more they stung me

And NEVER NEVER say those words that might lead to IP.

Love to all

[cool09]

You're sure not alone in your situation.

Can you break it down and list, say, 4 things you would like in order to feel safe and more secure in your life?

Thank you, Beth and Fuzzy. I just want to enjoy life, it doesn't matter what that is. Just want to live my life.

Hospital Dr. put me on B-9 and B-12 for mood. Stopped them after a month because I didn't feel any different.

[Soul Quake]

Originally Posted by *Beth*

How does one even get a service coordinator or a peer support specialist? It seems that most people with MI have one of them, so where do you sign up?

You can try to reach out to a mental health provider and inquire if those services are offered then go from there.

Some agencies require that you work with a therapist as well. You can also ask a client provider for a referral. Last, but not least, you can call an agency in your area to see if service coordination is an option.

[steelmagnolia65]

@cool09, Have you talked to your current doctor about the severe panic attacks you're having?..........There are medication options for panic attacks......I'm so sorry you're experiencing this..........A 2 hour panic attack sounds terrible.

[cool09]

Originally Posted by steelmagnolia65

@cool09, Have you talked to your current doctor about the severe panic attacks you're having?..........There are medication options for panic attacks......I'm so sorry you're experiencing this..........A 2 hour panic attack sounds terrible.

My Dr. was away last week so I talked to another Dr. and he gave me vistaril. The attacks in the hospital two mths ago were 3-4 hrs long.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Soul Quake

You can try to reach out to a mental health provider and inquire if those services are offered then go from there.

Some agencies require that you work with a therapist as well. You can also ask a client provider for a referral. Last, but not least, you can call an agency in your area to see if service coordination is an option.

Hi Soul, I'm going to break down what you've posted to try to understand it.

"Some agencies require..." - can you give me an example of what you mean by some agencies? I currently see a therapist through a mental health care clinic. I have my medication prescribed by a P.A. through a different mental health care clinic. I'm not sure what you mean be some agencies.

What is a "client provider"?

Also, when you say someone can call an agency to see if service coordination is an option, exactly what type of agency would one call?

Thank you,
-Beth

[Soul Quake]

Hi Beth. Please pm me.