[ahdm]

I'm having a desperately hard time right now, and I was wondering if I could get your opinions?

I started going to therapy in August after I overdosed, but I only had 6 sessions and I finished 3 weeks ago to take a break and think things over i.e. whether therapy is right for me right now. I realised about a week later that I needed therapy, and I needed my therapist also, because she helped me with quite a bit, although I didn't really talk much in our sessions. I called her office about 1 1/2 weeks ago, and the receptionist passed me on to her line manager and she told me that I'd have to wait a few weeks because there were no free slots, an I was absolutely fine with that.

Recently, however, things have been getting worse. A few examples are:
-sleepless nights
-sleeping too much
-eating hardly anything - resulting in weight loss
-suicidal ideation
-self-harm
-difficulty getting up in the morning
-unable to concentrate in college
-not doing homework or revising for tests
This list could go on forever, but those are a few examples.

I really feel like I need to talk to my therapist so I can get a feel that she is still there for me, and i can get a glimpse of hope that things will get better. My worry is whether I would be 'told off' or refused contact with her because I'm not technically her client/patient, even though I was. So is it a good idea to contact her.

Just a note: I have my therapist's mobile number, yet I've never actually called it. I'm scared to call or email really, but I think I need to. If you think it would be okay for me to contact her, could you tell me how I would start off?
Also, I'm a 17 year old female.

[Asiablue]

If you have her mobile number i say text her/call her whatever you're comfortable with and just explain the office hasn't got back to you with an appointment but really need to see her and can she arrange that?

[Yogix]

Hey! I totally think you should reach out to her. If I was in your position I would write/say...

"Hi, T. I know it's been quite a bit since we've spoken, but I'm really struggling. I tried to get in contact to set up an appointment, but I was told that there were no open slots for a few weeks. I've been having distressing issues (I.e weight loss, insomnia, concentration difficulties, etc) and it's getting more difficult every day to function.

I just really need some support or some help right now, and I don't know who else to go to."

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Perna]

I would call the line manager again, be a "squeaky wheel" and let her know things have gotten worse, ask again are there any spots/emergency spots, whatever open.

I would also look at my list and start to concentrate on some of the items that the therapist can't help with, that are your responsibility, like making sure you eat well, create good sleep habits, get up on time and do some homework and revising each day. I would use the positive action of calling the therapist's office and knowing that you will get into see your therapist as soon as it can be arranged and have done that for yourself to motivate you until you do see her.

I'd also make a list of the things your therapist might be able to help you with, the thoughts and sleeping difficulty reasons you cannot control as easily by yourself (anxious thoughts at night, too much anxious thought during the day making you tired because you feel you are working "hard" on it but getting nowhere, etc.) and see if I could use my sense of hope that she will help you with those things, feel that she will still there for you. The more you can mobilize your own thoughts, hopes and actions (instead of just fears and anxieties) the more things will start looking up.

If I could not get in to see the therapist within another couple weeks, I would call my medical doctor, go talk to him and see if he had anything to offer like a mild sleeping aid or tests to make sure my hormones and vitamin levels are all good and maybe some suggestions on how to take better care of myself while I wait to see the therapist.

[CantExplain]

How did this pan out?

[ahdm]

Originally Posted by CantExplain

How did this pan out?

I ended up breaking down and e-mailing her during college, disclosing a lot of things in a desperate sounding way. I regretted it as soon as I'd sent it, but her line manager e-mailed back within 30 minutes telling me the appointments available.
I then booked an appointment for December 9th, and I'm now in therapy.
I also ended up texting my T in a 'not myself' state, which was very embarrassing when it was brought up in that first session, but she told me she understood that even though I knew I was crossing boundaries, I did it anyway, which showed that I really was desperate and in need of help urgently.

I hope this answers your question

[Mactastic]

It sounds like everything worked out! Is your relationship in a good place?

[ahdm]

Originally Posted by Mactastic

It sounds like everything worked out! Is your relationship in a good place?

I've now had a grand total of 11 sessions with her - CBT - and our relationship is...meh.
It's not as good as I'd like it to be, but we can't always get what we want
We get on well though, and I think since I gave her that letter last session that things will become slightly easier and more comfortable. She is very supportive and understanding, and to be honest, I couldn't ask for a better T right now :')