Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group
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I have posted a few times about trying to find a therapist. What a nightmare it has been.
A Quick recap:
February:
- saw a Therapist - She told me she could not help me, my problems where beyond her abilities. She referred me to another T.
Second Therapist. A week later I show up to my appointment to find that a Computer Glitch has kicked my appointment out of the system during an upgrade of their computer system. I am handed a slip of blue paper with a phone number to call and sent away. Nice way to treat a mental health patient.
The number on the little blue slip of paper caused panic. I immediately knew I was weeks away from anyone to speak with.
Anxiety abounds.
When I call the number - "Six weeks," I hear. He voice pounds against my ear drum and I have pain shooting through my head. I complained about the wait given the computer glitch. She finds an availability in three weeks time. I book it.
March:
I show up to my appointment and tell my tale of childhood trauma, Yet AGAIN.
Second Therapist says, "What are you looking for, we can only give short term counseling 6 months maybe a year."
Thud my heart stops beating. Quick gasp of air and I am present again. "Well Fuck," I think.
April:
I end up transferring offices because second therapist it too far away. I am in to see my THIRD therapist. I walk in the door and she states, "What's your action plan?"
I stared blankly. I knew this was not going to work out. I am mental, PTSD, GAD, the only plan I have is to eat in a few hours and sleep.
She glared back at me saying, passive aggressively, "Well,... I could just write down here, the patient refused to make an action plan."
I think, "WTF?"
It was creepy to say the least.
I find another therapist and she is so busy I am added to a waiting list.
May and June go by...nothing
July:
Finally!!!
Therapist #4's calendar opened up and I got an appointment.
My first meeting was splendid. She stated at the beginning she likes to look at the first meeting as an interview for both of us.
For her it is to assess my needs and see if she can help me.
For me it is to see if I feel comfortable moving forward with her.
We booked a second appointment so I guess we both passed the interview.
I actually have a spark of hope. Like I might be able to function again.
A Quick recap:
February:
- saw a Therapist - She told me she could not help me, my problems where beyond her abilities. She referred me to another T.
Second Therapist. A week later I show up to my appointment to find that a Computer Glitch has kicked my appointment out of the system during an upgrade of their computer system. I am handed a slip of blue paper with a phone number to call and sent away. Nice way to treat a mental health patient.
The number on the little blue slip of paper caused panic. I immediately knew I was weeks away from anyone to speak with.
Anxiety abounds.
When I call the number - "Six weeks," I hear. He voice pounds against my ear drum and I have pain shooting through my head. I complained about the wait given the computer glitch. She finds an availability in three weeks time. I book it.
March:
I show up to my appointment and tell my tale of childhood trauma, Yet AGAIN.
Second Therapist says, "What are you looking for, we can only give short term counseling 6 months maybe a year."
Thud my heart stops beating. Quick gasp of air and I am present again. "Well Fuck," I think.
April:
I end up transferring offices because second therapist it too far away. I am in to see my THIRD therapist. I walk in the door and she states, "What's your action plan?"
I stared blankly. I knew this was not going to work out. I am mental, PTSD, GAD, the only plan I have is to eat in a few hours and sleep.
She glared back at me saying, passive aggressively, "Well,... I could just write down here, the patient refused to make an action plan."
I think, "WTF?"
It was creepy to say the least.
I find another therapist and she is so busy I am added to a waiting list.
May and June go by...nothing
July:
Finally!!!
Therapist #4's calendar opened up and I got an appointment.
My first meeting was splendid. She stated at the beginning she likes to look at the first meeting as an interview for both of us.
For her it is to assess my needs and see if she can help me.
For me it is to see if I feel comfortable moving forward with her.
We booked a second appointment so I guess we both passed the interview.
I actually have a spark of hope. Like I might be able to function again.
-
I haven't written in my diary on my computer since May because I thought that my computer was dying. I got away from writing but my computer is hanging in there. I think that I will start writing in it again. It's so therapeutic.
-
First, I hope everyone is doing well, and continuing to fight that good fight! Keep up the great work on yourselves; I'm rooting for all of you!So, I started doing therapy at the beginning of the year, when I was in my most depressed state, but with my therapist, I made big changes and steps in the right direction. But, over a month ago, she couldn't take my insurance anymore, and I had to stop...
the rest is up to us.
When I was in the hospital the recently, I was so many people who will never get better because they expected the therapist and meds to do all the work and to make them better. They knew the techniques to getting well, but never practiced them. Instead they would say, I know box breathing, I know journaling, I know how to use visualization, but they ever did it. How the heck are you going to get better if you don't try.
I am so glad you found someone to work with that works with you. It will be a difficult road at points, but you can do it.
Fourth said, "Okay, let's see what we can do and if I can't help you, this practice has six other therapists with a range of specialties, we'll try to find the right fit."
ANd there I have stayed ever since. Even when GAD turned out to be PTSD and all the rest.
Blessings:-)
Leo
BTW CC(Crazy Canuck) has also been seeing a good councilor as part of a program, she has been kind enough to post some of the information she is receiving.
Look them over, they may bring up good talking points with your new therapist.
Good morning,
Jewells
Congratulations on your perseverance. Healing happens. Hope it happens to you.
I have no idea what they mean by "action plan" either. Like wtf does that even mean? I was asked that before and I said...ummmmmm idk???? And they looked at me like they hated me. Idk what they want from me.
Unfortunately a lot of them should not be therapists.