I actually HATE psychiatrists. I know it is based on my own crap. Had negative experiences with the 3 I saw as a kid. I know...that was ages ago and things may be different. I am fine with consulting them for meds but beyond that I think they are useless.

My therapist is a Psych D (mot that some social workers are awesome) so I think he is qualified. I do think I need to go more often. I see him tomorrow. I will see if we can book out for awhile. I would like to ask him how HE thinks things are going but he has a habit of answering a question with a question and I'm a touch bitchy right now .....

I'd prolly start ranting at him then feel ashamed and guilty. The only concern I have is that sometimes I feel like I need more direction from him. He feels I need to speak up and ask for what I want and say what i am thinking.

Her referral will get you through faster...they will make room in schedule. Then you can transfer if you don't sync well with them. Ask for or get some omeprozole, sold over counter as Prilosec, Script is cheaper if this will be a regular thing. it calm belly to medicine upset. Or make sure you have something in stomach, non acidic works best. I take xanax to quell overloads and AteraxHydrocyzine ..so far good combo with my pain meds and diabetes.
A lot of insurence will only cover so many visits a month, but mix in some other "Good for you" activities. I am taking my classes as much for exposure therapy as for content. Since people get to me this is a controlled situation enviroment...on the subject of my choice. But if you like something else try that. There are a lot of oranic gardening seminars right now in my area, so people have time to order their seed. Also maybe choose something one mindedness. I spent one year learning oriental cooking. Check local School District for adult or evening classes. These are usually low cost and only last a few weeks, of designated days. But 1-2 hours of something for you. I am looking at one on reflexology right now to see if I can work it in between classes. .

Being a widow is a bit different, because I am also trying to redefine my reason for life as well as my PTSD. ...I mean when God goes after our spouse? talk about feeling paranoid....who ya gonna call?

Dust off that camera! Lighting sets run around 100. or less on Amazon.

Psychiatric meds, which I can't take now due to my kidneys' condition, helped me in the short run, to give credit where credit is due. In that sense in the early years of my PTSD they gave me a quick relief therapy was powerless to offer.

On the other hand, the long term help for me with PTSD has come from therapy, not meds. It took years to get the one for me. I had a couple of bad ones, several average ones who did some good. But then I had Jon, who had the most expertise in PTSD of anybody. He and I also happened to belong to the same religious background. Since being a missionary kid abroad in a war zone that went out of control and engulfed my family, that was very fortunate, too.

It was working with Jon that I finally turned the corner. I wasn't cured forever, but I understood myself and my symptoms and my coping mechanisms better than ever, and got new hope for living from it all.

I saw him twice a week at first, and then once a week after that for 3 years. Before that I'd been in therapy every week for 13 years. So my answer just from my own experience would be that it took me between 3 and 16 years, depending on whether you count my time with Jon alone or all therapy good, bad, or indifferent together.

My suggestion would be to make sure the therapist is a PTSD expert. It made the difference with Jon.

Thanks for the replies :-)

Jewells, I already take omeprazole. It isn't nausea or heartburn... it is....TMI warning....explosive diarrhea. I can ride out almost all other side effects but when I have to leave work because I crapped myself it is a deal breaker. Even Imodium didn't help.

There are so many things I want to do. I want to take some photos...I have all kinds of ideas. (Photography was the thing that got me through so much) I want to take a class or 2. I am close to finishing my degree.

I feel so stuck right now. I just can't get in motion. Even making a small to do list and saying it is ok if i only accomplish 1 thing doesn't seem to make a difference. I still can't get that one thing done.

Focus is gone. I'm lucky if I shower on the weekends...or get dressed. Usually I can do the 'one foot in front of the other" thing and push through it but lately ....not so much.

I do think some of it has to do with the weather/time of year.

Ohhh....and the bitchiness...woohooo. I am the freakin princess of snark right now. i work with older developmentally disabled adults ....I need patience.

That is why i am trying meds again. I know they aren't the end all solution but hopefully they will help me get to a place where I can work on stuff.

So Muji...it can take awhile huh? Thats ok. I can live with that. I just felt like my doc was thinking I should be better by now. Of course she doesn't know all the details.

I am lucky in that my insurance doesn't limit the number of visits. I think I need to go every week if possible. The times I have gone every week I have done better. I was trying to cut back on co pays but I guess I should prioritize.

So glad you're not turned off by the time it can take for therapy to make a difference. With me, it meant a difference that has stuck. And doubly glad your insurance doesn't limit your visits. That's a real reason to celebrate. Hope you don't feel like your therapist is a tough grader. It's one area where we really don't have to compare ourselves to anyone.

Glad to hear all of this.

It was my GP that seems to be concerned that I am still struggling with depression. My therapist told me that it may take some time and a lot of hard work. I think my therapist and I are measuring success differently than my GP is measuring. After 6 months my success is being able to call my therapist when i'm feeling out of control in some way. I would email him but couldn't actually talk to him. Now I can. It isn't easy but I have done it a couple of times now. i guess that seems like slow progress to some. Maybe it is but it is progress.

you have been depressed before, what worked for you at that times will work every time

mild depression can last for long time depends from person to person, major one at the worst can last more than 6months even get you in bed unable to do anything

had and still have problem with depression, don't use any meds or therapy for it, had 2 episodes in my life of major depression

when you are depressed you usually lost interest, don't take care of self, what you liked before you don't you don't see it likeable and there is more symptoms

everything that you can do right now is step and progress, it can seem too slow but it is progress

I use music, mostly insturmentals or classical music which helps me from getting into major episode

I hope you will get better soon, try wellbutrin and with therapy if you cant stand medication I still think you will get better and you will be okay