General chat

[tyme]

Hey @Patches59 ,

Thanks for the tag. I'm following along. I can see that what the psychologist does can cause you stress. Good on you for pointing it out to her. It means like she's working through it herself.

How are you travelling otherwise? 

Thinking of you.

[Patches59]

Not sure what you mean by “It means like she’s working through it herself” @tyme 

with $250+ out of pocket each appointment where, at times, entire 45mins is taken up by my therapist explaining multiple times using the same words ne specific thing … leaves me feeling my money and time is not being spent to best use.

I was hoping to get thoughts etc to help me look at options from as many avenues as possible.  After being in similar situation approx 12mths ago which caused negative ripples, I don’t know if I can or am best to continue seeing here.  Atm know I don’t want to.  Don’t feel comfortable about continuing with her.

apart from that I’m fairly ok physically.  Another walk today, about double distance of yesterday’s walk.  Only small amount of discomfort not long before getting home.  Only a few hundred steps today,  huge improvement than last 6mths [edited by moderator]

[tyme]

Hey @Patches59 ,

What I mean is that she realises her issue and it's something she needs to work on herself. 

But I can see how frustrating it can be to pay all of that money out of pocket and then be told the same thing again, and again, and again.... despite you pointing it out that she does that.

Have you been through SANE guided recoveyr? Not sure if that's an option for you.

I'm glad you are kicking goals and making improvements with yourself physically. It's not about the distance, but the progress you are making. 

Well done 🙂

Do you have anything planned for tomorrow?

[Patches59]

I’m finding I’m disassociating at times when the repetition starts and not realising it’s happening at the time @tyme.  

About a week after the last appointment I was sitting at home thinking back over our conversation.  It was only then I realised her words sounded like were muffled or coming through thick fog.  In that instance at home the flashbacks hit involving repetition linked to verbal abuse when I was a teenager.

I haven’t done, or even applied to do, SANE guided recovery.  I’ll apply tonight.  Either way, I feel next appointment with psychologist may not be 100% pleasant

nothing interesting planned for tomorrow.  Have couple baskets laundry to put away plus other general housework.    Try to take hr or 2 each day for self care …continuing to build alphabet brick bear or mosaic colour by number main 2 things

[AuntGlow]

These are two very understandable reasons @Patches59. 💛

I am curious, would the discomfort of starting with someone new who can better meet your needs outweigh the discomfort of staying with someone familiar who can't? It's okay if the answer is no! I know that change can feel really daunting and scary, but just putting it out there to have a think about. 🫶

[Patches59]

Good question @AuntGlow, the answer would be yes with lots of hesitation though.

couple years ago I was referred to psychiatrist who I saw for a year.  In short, total waste of my time and money.  First appointment and he badly triggered me.  2nd appointment he told me something that wasn’t correct.  4th and final appointment he said something that showed he only heard what he wanted to.

at my request my current gp has more than once tried to refer me to psychiatrists she holds in high standing, neither taking new patients.

Lots of little things have happened during the 2 1/2yrs of seeing same psychologist.  Twice being triggered by things that have happened have left me deciding not to continue with her plus concerns about seeing someone new.

I have been accepted into SANEs Guided Recovery program.  I’m looking forward to working with someone to have an actual plan in place.

Psychologist appointment tomorrow afternoon, will be having some dot points as prompts when tell her I’m not going to see her again and why.  Won’t be easy for me but feel I need to 

[Dimity]

Hello @Patches59 it's good to hear you're walking more - not just a sign of recovery but hopefully it will build further.

It's very wise to have put the guided recovery program in place before finishing with your psychologist. I guess you'll be able to plan for what comes next, eg if you eventually need to find another psychologist.

I'm waiting on assessment forms from a psychologist. She promised them over a week ago.

I haven't really started anything today. Feeling a bit overwhelmed by technophobia and social anxiety among other things, but I'll make a list and try to get going.

[Patches59]

@Dimity  I started out this morning with plan to do 2 household things prior to doing something for enjoyment.

message from Medicare show those plans go on hold.  Have made phone call to Medicare plus the pain management clinic.  Now waiting on call from pain management clinic.  Based on Medicare claim submitted on my behalf there is insufficient info for Medicare to do any rebate.  Another $2,000 I’ve got to pay if things don’t get fixed up.

back is sore today.  Have finally managed to put one basket on clean laundry away, that’s half of one item done.

for months now I’ve had to stop [every few steps] due to pain.  [A few hundreds] steps in one day felt wonderful, might have done too much though.  My plan is gradually increase amount of walking, be doing my usual exercises plus doing chair yoga at home.  Going to take time or risk OA flare up in knee/s again.  I used to have MP3 player loaded with variety of songs, I used to enjoy walking whilst listening to songs.

my long term preference is to for one specific psychiatrist to be accepting new patients.  Meds I’m on is SNRI which can be ok, both my gp and I feel the one I’m on might not be the most suitable for me.  

same as last couple appointments, I’m not wanting to go to appointment tomorrow …. never a good thing. Too many little things that are sitting uncomfortably by now.

complete change of topic - I saw some special order raised garden beds on Bunnings website few days ago.  Not as deep as I was thinking about. Made from cedar and ready to assemble.  To avoid any possible confusion etc from neighbour who offered to build the garden beds, I’ve sent the info to him to look at etc.   I’m wanting to start planting, too risky in front garden patch though. Also available square garden bed at same height in same design.  Thinking L shape in one corner with birdbath in front

sorry to hear about the social anxiety.  Possibly linked to the legal documents and talking to your family members about them?

[tyme]

Hey @Patches59 ,

Good to see you today. How have things been?

Glad you could sign up for the Guided recovery. And look, it isn't designed to replace psychology sessions, but hopefully you have additional support, and an ear.

I want to quickly let you know that your posts above had to be edited slightly to remove any numbers related to exercise (including BMI, clothing size etc). This is because our moderation system does not permit numbers related to exercise which means posts are automatically blocked.

If you have any questions, feel free to email us at team@saneforums.org

[Patches59]

Thanks for the info about staying connected with psychologist @tyme 

psychologist I’ve been seeing works for business that employees quite a few psychologists.  If I’m able to work with one of the other psychologists I’ll have to pay parking fees plus will have longer distance to travel.  Something I need to accept.  Reading the info about each psychologist there is one that catches my eye.  No harm in asking if can be transferred to her.  

some back pain earlier, anxiety was high this morning.  Waiting on one staff member from pain management clinic to phone me back.  Claim they submitted to Medicare for has been rejected, insufficient info supplied by provider.  Items total couple thousand.

Im looking forward to playing croquet tomorrow.  Not many weeks left until last game for the competition.  Hoping my team can win as many games as possible and don’t end up on bottom of the ladder.