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I finally did it.
I called a psychologist last night and made an appointment. It’s a couple of weeks away but it’s been booked. And then today, I went and saw my GP and got a mental health care plan. It made me smile that I had to pretty much do my own MSE. I do it with my clients all the time.
I think it’s taken me this long to make that call to a psychologist because I am one.
There is a level of embarrassment there. Because I’m supposed to know all the therapeutic techniques.
There is the feeling that I should be able to cope on my own. That I am weak if I don’t. After all, I am a psychologist.
There is a level of guilt. Because how can I feel anxious and sad when I have so much to be grateful for in life.
The other problem is that being a psychologist, I know how to prevent myself from getting into a clinically significant mental health problem. So I exercise. And keep myself busy. Thereby keeping the anxiety and the depression at bay. But life gets in the way. And there’s only so much a human being can do before things erupt in the mind. And more often than not, it’s when I’m not busy. Or not exercising. Or not focussed on others’ problems.
It’s still ironic. That me, a psychologist, needs to get help.
But before a psychologist, I am a human being.
And as a human being, I need help.
I need someone to just listen. To validate. To get me through this.
I know I’ll come out the other side.
I know I’ll be okay,
Especially as I’ve taken this step.
Turns out I also have sinusitis and I got medication for that today. I was really grateful to the medical centre because my GP was actually completely booked out today and Thursday and I was on the cancellation list for both days. The receptionist called me back and asked me to come in anyway and said they’d try to squeeze me in. {They didn’t know why I needed to see her}. I was truly grateful for that. It felt good to tell a professional about what I was going through.
Until next time,
Cheers!!!
Fiona
18 June 2013 at 6:01 pmWell done for being brave. Xxxxxxx
Psych Babbler
20 June 2013 at 9:43 pmThanks Fiona… 🙂
Fiona
18 June 2013 at 6:01 pmWell done for being brave. Xxxxxxx
Psych Babbler
20 June 2013 at 9:43 pmThanks Fiona… 🙂
Aravindh
19 June 2013 at 3:07 amHope you’re okay! You’ll be fine, wish i could help..
Aravindh recently posted…Blogging Beliefs
Psych Babbler
20 June 2013 at 9:44 pmThanks Aravindh…I know I’ll eventually be all right.
Aravindh
19 June 2013 at 3:07 amHope you’re okay! You’ll be fine, wish i could help..
Aravindh recently posted…Blogging Beliefs
Psych Babbler
20 June 2013 at 9:44 pmThanks Aravindh…I know I’ll eventually be all right.
Fatima Benel
19 June 2013 at 7:31 amgood for you. if you need to talk in the mean time ring MH access line. Often we think we are above MH issues bc we know all about them and that is simply not true.
There is nothing wrong with asking for help.
Infact it will show you on a professional level how hard battling with feelings of depression and anxiety actually are and make you an even better psychologist
The curse of any of these feelings is that they occur in the mind and there is no blood test to tell you that you are officially depressed so you try to talk yourself out of it, or tell yourself how stupid you are for feeling the way you do. Trust me from personal experience the more you punish yourself by ignoring the problem the more feriouciously it will come back to haunt you.
I am happy for you but 2 weeks is a long way way away. if you need to talk to someone before then find someone there is no shame in it
Psych Babbler
20 June 2013 at 9:47 pmI agree Fatima in that we do sometimes talk ours else out of these feelings or tell ourselves to get over it. And I have realised that if anything it’ll assist me in being able to tell clients I have practised techniques for real. They don’t need to know I’ve been to therapy of course but just that I’ve tried these strategies when I’ve had a hard time.
And yes, if needed I’ll call the helpline. Thanks again…
Fatima Benel
19 June 2013 at 7:31 amgood for you. if you need to talk in the mean time ring MH access line. Often we think we are above MH issues bc we know all about them and that is simply not true.
There is nothing wrong with asking for help.
Infact it will show you on a professional level how hard battling with feelings of depression and anxiety actually are and make you an even better psychologist
The curse of any of these feelings is that they occur in the mind and there is no blood test to tell you that you are officially depressed so you try to talk yourself out of it, or tell yourself how stupid you are for feeling the way you do. Trust me from personal experience the more you punish yourself by ignoring the problem the more feriouciously it will come back to haunt you.
I am happy for you but 2 weeks is a long way way away. if you need to talk to someone before then find someone there is no shame in it
Psych Babbler
20 June 2013 at 9:47 pmI agree Fatima in that we do sometimes talk ours else out of these feelings or tell ourselves to get over it. And I have realised that if anything it’ll assist me in being able to tell clients I have practised techniques for real. They don’t need to know I’ve been to therapy of course but just that I’ve tried these strategies when I’ve had a hard time.
And yes, if needed I’ll call the helpline. Thanks again…
Smita
20 June 2013 at 4:08 pmYou know half the problem is solved when we accept that there is a problem so my dear u r on a road to recovery 🙂
All will be fine! *hugs*
Smita recently posted…The Sea of Innocence
Psych Babbler
20 June 2013 at 9:48 pmTrue…admitting you have a problem is the first step. Thanks Smita… Hugs!!
Smita
20 June 2013 at 4:08 pmYou know half the problem is solved when we accept that there is a problem so my dear u r on a road to recovery 🙂
All will be fine! *hugs*
Smita recently posted…The Sea of Innocence
Psych Babbler
20 June 2013 at 9:48 pmTrue…admitting you have a problem is the first step. Thanks Smita… Hugs!!
Vivienne
21 June 2013 at 8:38 amI’m so glad you’re actively seeking therapy and are not letting your inhibitions stand in your way. Well done!
Vivienne recently posted…Cheating During Exams
Vivienne
21 June 2013 at 8:38 amI’m so glad you’re actively seeking therapy and are not letting your inhibitions stand in your way. Well done!
Vivienne recently posted…Cheating During Exams
LiFi
24 June 2013 at 2:07 pmGood , I personally did visit one, I thought I might need few more but the one visit itself was good enough for me to clear things. Wishing all the very best.
LiFi recently posted…Travel-Day1:LasVegas
LiFi
24 June 2013 at 2:07 pmGood , I personally did visit one, I thought I might need few more but the one visit itself was good enough for me to clear things. Wishing all the very best.
LiFi recently posted…Travel-Day1:LasVegas
Maddie
20 July 2013 at 12:43 amAll the best, we eventually get through it but need some hand holding nevertheless. We are human afterall. With our current lifestyle, I truly believe each one of us needs a psychologist throughout our life. We need someone who is qualified and unbiased to give us frank opinions and show us the mirror.
Maddie recently posted…Another bright day
Psych Babbler
20 July 2013 at 7:57 amThanks Maddie…I must say I’ve been finding it pretty helpful so far as it’s like having a sounding board to be able to do a bit of “spring cleaning” in my own head and life… 🙂
Maddie
20 July 2013 at 12:43 amAll the best, we eventually get through it but need some hand holding nevertheless. We are human afterall. With our current lifestyle, I truly believe each one of us needs a psychologist throughout our life. We need someone who is qualified and unbiased to give us frank opinions and show us the mirror.
Maddie recently posted…Another bright day
Everybody needs a therapist | Over Cups of Coffee
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