My therapist has retired = PANIC !!

[skybluker]

I have had some sort of breakdown..anxiety/depression which had been building up from last summer...symptom after symptom ...doctor after doctor...all said anx/dep.

Now I am starting to believe it.  I had been struggling at work and at home with panic etc ... and one day after waking and sitting by the toilet feeling rather sick decided I cant go on like this.  That was 5 weeks ago and not been back to work.  My doctor is going to put me on Zoloft ???  and refer me to psychiatrist.

I am trying to sort myself out.. 15 years ago I went thru something similar and I saw a private psychologist/hypnotherapist that really helped.  Up until now I have been OK,,.have had good times, bad times but not mentally ill times..just normal bad times you pick yourself up and carry on.
This therapist was quite old when I saw him.. and I have spent all day plucking up the courage to ring. In my heart I guessed he prob be  nearing about 75 but thought i have to try...his number was still in yellow pages...

I rang him... and he has not seen patients for 3 years as he has been ill ...just hearing his voice was kind of soothing. He advised speaking to my GP to refer me to psychiatrist. I put the phone down and cried and started a panic attack  because he was the one that helped me and i ended up being OK.  Now its like I gotta go see someone else ...and now i feel no one else will understand or be able to help me...

How do you know a good psychologist ??????  Are they all the same ??  Do they adhere to the same methods????

Jeez I need help and quick xxxxx 

[Carryon]

Follow the advice of the psychiatrist you trusted: discuss your case with your GP. You'll be fine. Just calm down. The world is not comming to end because of this; you haven't spoken to him in 3 years so rather than think about it as problem see is a chance to find someone who might even be better and for the long term. For all, you know you might not have liked him as much after 3 years.

[skybluker]

thanks carryon ,

I think my issue is because i knew i got better it would have been psychological boost.  He combined psychotherapy with hypnosis whether this reprogrammed my brain i dont know.

Like I said he was old when I saw him last about 12 years ago and not been back since.  I think i just panicked and thought that was my option down the pan.

I would rather see a psychotherapist as opposed to a psychiatrist as i dont want to be pumped full of drugs i know my problem stemmed from a big  change in my life..living on my own. 

Thanks for replying x

[Carryon]

Indeed: Life's curve balls -- what happens while you are making plans. No one can avoid it.

[29sillygirl]

Oh boy, do I ever know how it feels to call a trusted doctor and find out he/she has retired.  It is good that you realized you needed therapy, and called his office.  And posted your concerns here.  Now to see your GP, if your insurance requires a referral, or even if it does not, to find another skilled psychotherapist. 

Be very clear on what you want, as I believe the way mental health field works here (in Florida) is that you see a psychiatrist for evaluation; a 15 minute visit, and then on to a psychologist for therapy which is typically 50 minutes of cognitive behavioral dialogue.   

Best wishes to you.  I know you will persevere and find another doctor who can use the same techniques your former doctor did.

[Carryon]

With some insurance companies, you call the mental health center, which will give you the choices: pyschiatrist, pyschologist, therapist and sex in your area. You choose and they give you the authorization. Very simple and empathetic process.

[skybluker]

Hi everyone

Thanks for your replies...I am in England so it is slightly different over here.  I have seen my GP who has said she refer me to psychiatrist at hospital. I will ring tomorrow as I am getting desparate.   On the NHS you dont pay but sometimes you have to wait.  Being an anxious person waiting is not good!!  When i went to see Neurologist I went private and had to pay myself as I wanted to be seen quicker