[Hellion]

So I tried the local mental health center...that just left me feeling stupid for even going in there. So does anyone know how to go about finding PTSD help in a specific area? I mean if that mental health center is the only thing availible in my area its worthy of dissapointment. I'm actually just really not dealing well with this....I mean this is kind of what I was afraid of, going for help only to feel more alienated and stupid.

I mean I thought that would be a good starting point to try and get help, but now I feel like I was wrong. I mean I realise there might not be others in my area on here...but is there any sort of resources anyone knows of that could help someone find help in a specific area?

[Kaioken]

I was first diagnosed in 2009 after struggling for 2 years, but it wasn't until the end of 2010 I found a forum dedicated to helping sufferers and their friends and family, I found https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/portal/ extremely helpful and although it wasn't professional help I found connecting with those that I knew understood how I felt and who could understand how i was feeling at a certain point. I'm not sure if this is what you were looking for, but give it a shot its a great place.

[Open Eyes]

Hellion,
See if you can do a search online for therapists around your area that treat PTSD. I found my first therapist that way.

I am sorry you are struggling still, I know how that feels and it is way better if you get help. You should not have been embarassed in that mental health center. People who are in the mental health field should know how to help you find direction about getting help for PTSD. Don't be afraid to ask for help Hellion, if you need help, you have to be willing to just ask that is where doors begin to open.

(((Hugs)))
Open Eyes

[Hellion]

Originally Posted by Open Eyes

Hellion,
See if you can do a search online for therapists around your area that treat PTSD. I found my first therapist that way.

I am sorry you are struggling still, I know how that feels and it is way better if you get help. You should not have been embarassed in that mental health center. People who are in the mental health field should know how to help you find direction about getting help for PTSD. Don't be afraid to ask for help Hellion, if you need help, you have to be willing to just ask that is where doors begin to open.

(((Hugs)))
Open Eyes

I'll try looking around for specific therpists, though they would have to offer discount fees or no fee since I still don't have income.

I have to admit though at the moment I am kind of feeling like that doors not open to me, and am now more afraid of continuing to try and seek any help. I am trying not to dwell on it too much but that really did bother me especially when it was so hard just to convince myself to call and then actually go there in person...I just had my anxious feelings about it confirmed. I mean when I called the person I talked to seemed understanding but when I went in for a walk in appointment like she told me to the desk staff was kind of rude and I just really ended up feeling stupid trying to explain myself or whatever. I mean I was nervous and anxious enough to begin with so it was hard enough to just try and explain what I was there for I basically said I called and they told me to go there for a walk in appointment and if there were any other details I was supposed to mention I forgot but they didn't ask either.

Basically I was told they may not have anyone availible today but to fill out this intake form thing or something. I was a bit dissapointed about possibly not being able to have an appointment but it was no big deal since I could go back on monday.

But then I handed the person at the desk the form, she took it and then basically did not acknowledge my existance anymore I mean I was confused as to wether that was all she needed or if I was supposed to wait a couple minutes for her to tell me more or ask for ID or proof of adress. So I ended up sitting there kind of nervously(I was feeling kind of confused and my anxiety levels were kind of rising) untill the other person asked if they could help and I tried trying to calmly explain I was not sure if I was done and could go or not because the other one took my paper and hadn't indicated wether she was done or not but I kind of ended up making a stuttering idiot out of myself and I probably mumbled to myself a bit on the way out. I hate to admit it but it seems to have kinda killed my motivation some at least what was left of it.

[Hellion]

Originally Posted by Kaioken

I was first diagnosed in 2009 after struggling for 2 years, but it wasn't until the end of 2010 I found a forum dedicated to helping sufferers and their friends and family, I found https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/portal/ extremely helpful and although it wasn't professional help I found connecting with those that I knew understood how I felt and who could understand how i was feeling at a certain point. I'm not sure if this is what you were looking for, but give it a shot its a great place.

I did look at that site before but the site rules kind of scared the crap out of me...I was worried I might post something while anxious and mess up my grammer and I got the impression they don't take kindly to bad grammar and I don't know but maybe the wording was more directed at people who would go there to harras not so much the people on there struggling with PTSD. Anyways it looks promising aside from that.

[Open Eyes]

(((Hellion))),

I am so sorry that you felt ignored at the desk after you handed in your paperwork.
Some of these people that are on that end can be insensitive or think you know more than you know. They get so that people are just numbers to them. It can be different once you actually get with a therapist.

If your phone number is on the form, maybe the person who makes appointments will call you when she/he checks the schedule.

Sorry I don't know anything about what is offered in Colorado.

Some private therapists do work on a curve or inexpensively, both my therapist work on a curve. My current therapist only charges me $60 per visit and that is for an hour.

So keep looking,
Open Eyes

[Spiderlegs]

Originally Posted by Hellion

So I tried the local mental health center...that just left me feeling stupid for even going in there. So does anyone know how to go about finding PTSD help in a specific area? I mean if that mental health center is the only thing availible in my area its worthy of dissapointment. I'm actually just really not dealing well with this....I mean this is kind of what I was afraid of, going for help only to feel more alienated and stupid.

I mean I thought that would be a good starting point to try and get help, but now I feel like I was wrong. I mean I realise there might not be others in my area on here...but is there any sort of resources anyone knows of that could help someone find help in a specific area?

I've been trying for 25 years to get help with this.
The county was SCARY.

Went to a counselor one time...liked her, but she couldn't keep an appointment and I had to drive 40 miles for each of her broken/didn't show up appts.

Another one made out a sheet of paper for my 'treatment'..her handwritting was so bad I couldn't read it and asked her to clarify...she said just SIGN it! I didn't have a clue what the 'treatment' was. I left. She scared me to death!

When I applied for SS at age 58...couldn't even walk then, they sent me to a psychologist...he said I was a liar, a 'malingerer' and had never been in a car wreck or had any injury!

I finally got a referral the other day from my pulmonary Dr. for a psychiatrist, who can't see me for a month. The isolation is just killing me and I don't think I can last another 30 days of this. I simply have never been able to find anyone who deals with PTSD within a 100 miles.

For a nation who is supposedly so enlightened about mental issues, I don't see much improvement over the last 50 years.

[Hellion]

Originally Posted by Open Eyes

(((Hellion))),

I am so sorry that you felt ignored at the desk after you handed in your paperwork.
Some of these people that are on that end can be insensitive or think you know more than you know. They get so that people are just numbers to them. It can be different once you actually get with a therapist.

If your phone number is on the form, maybe the person who makes appointments will call you when she/he checks the schedule.

Sorry I don't know anything about what is offered in Colorado.

Some private therapists do work on a curve or inexpensively, both my therapist work on a curve. My current therapist only charges me $60 per visit and that is for an hour.

So keep looking,
Open Eyes

Only 60$? I hate to say it but to me that is a lot..I mean I have no income or any way to come up with that much per session, so hopefully I can find something cheaper. But yeah I don't really know much about what is offered in colorado either and I live here. But I will keep looking i suppsose.

[Hellion]

Originally Posted by Spiderlegs

I've been trying for 25 years to get help with this.
The county was SCARY.

Went to a counselor one time...liked her, but she couldn't keep an appointment and I had to drive 40 miles for each of her broken/didn't show up appts.

Another one made out a sheet of paper for my 'treatment'..her handwritting was so bad I couldn't read it and asked her to clarify...she said just SIGN it! I didn't have a clue what the 'treatment' was. I left. She scared me to death!

When I applied for SS at age 58...couldn't even walk then, they sent me to a psychologist...he said I was a liar, a 'malingerer' and had never been in a car wreck or had any injury!

I finally got a referral the other day from my pulmonary Dr. for a psychiatrist, who can't see me for a month. The isolation is just killing me and I don't think I can last another 30 days of this. I simply have never been able to find anyone who deals with PTSD within a 100 miles.

For a nation who is supposedly so enlightened about mental issues, I don't see much improvement over the last 50 years.

Wow that does not paint a very pleasant picture, so how do you put up with that sort of thing without freaking out....just calmly walk out? because another thing that worries me is I don't want their rudeness to set me off so I end up freaking out and end up in a psych ward because I'm being 'psychotic' or something.

Originally Posted by Hellion

So I tried the local mental health center...that just left me feeling stupid for even going in there. So does anyone know how to go about finding PTSD help in a specific area? I mean if that mental health center is the only thing availible in my area its worthy of dissapointment. I'm actually just really not dealing well with this....I mean this is kind of what I was afraid of, going for help only to feel more alienated and stupid.

I mean I thought that would be a good starting point to try and get help, but now I feel like I was wrong. I mean I realise there might not be others in my area on here...but is there any sort of resources anyone knows of that could help someone find help in a specific area?

((((Hellion)))) throwing this crazy idea out there...but I think this may lead you in the right direction. The United States Naval Academy and several military bases are located in Colorado.

I am SURE there are T's that specialize in PTSD in those cities /and not only for our military service people but also for civilians. Perhaps you can start by Googling different centers and then ASK if they can refer you to a T that specializes in civilian PTSD.

Definitely worth a try!

Big hugs to you! Please let us know how you are doing