How to find a good psychologist
So after being diagnosed with bc in June, having my mastectomy, then returning to surgery 2 weeks later for a full auxiliary clearance now facing monthly ovarian injections and AI pills for goodness ...
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Oh hun I hear you. Big virtual hugs to you. Know that you are not the only one.LisaO said:So after being diagnosed with bc in June, having my mastectomy, then returning to surgery 2 weeks later for a full auxiliary clearance now facing monthly ovarian injections and AI pills for goodness knows how long...Im suffering from depression and also anxiety. Im that ignorant person who never understood depression or anxiety...until now.
I have never ever in my life felt so down sometimes. Its a hole I can feel myself falling into, I stay at the bottom of the pit for sometimes the good part of the day, then I claw my way out of the hole...only to fall back down. I try to train my mind to "think positive" about the road ahead, that all the possible side effects may not even happen...I know I'm dancing with cancer and HT will hopefully keep a recurrence at bay, but the long road ahead seems very daunting, not to mention the road already travelled.
I feel I really dont have much to be depressed about, in fact Im embarrassed to admit my feelings. I didnt do chemo or radiation..all I have to do is get injections and pop pills right? Then sit back and hold on tight for the ride and hopefully the medications will be kind to me.
At least I have been brave enough and honest enough to identify the fact that I need help of some sort to get on with living, so I marched into my GP and asked for help. I have been referred to a psychologist and had my first session. 50 minutes. She told me I am a "challenging case". I was then given a handout on the definition of depression and anxiety (which I could have googled) I was then charged $150 of which I got a refund from Medicare for around $70...then I was asked to make another appointment in 4 weeks time. I have walked out with absolutely no tools to help my mind.
Do I go back to the next session? Maybe I should have gone through a psychologist who deals with cancer patients. Im a bit lost and this is an expensive exercise. Maybe anti depressant pills "happy pills" might have been a better option for me.
Thanks for listening to me ladies.
Some days and some moments I can get overwhelmed just doing simple chores (I had surgery chemo radio and on immunotherapy now) though I am very very thankful that I recovered well from the horrid chemo!... I told hubby that the physical suffering is just one part of it...it's the mental...the inside...the battle in the mind that is truly hard as it's within and always with us!!! Some moments I need to go lie down and curl up under my doona and be nice to myself. Some moments I get out of the house and walk my dog, enjoy the fresh air and just breathe...some moments I just want to dig a hole and hide in it like an ostrich. Be kind to yourself and do something that makes you feel better.
I refused to see a psychologist or counsellor. I refuse to take pills because I feel that I would become enslaved by them which is a new set of problem! I am searching on some cancer retreat where they teach some meditation and provide some teaching and good diet so I can take a break away from the everyday life as a mum etc... Ian Gawler at Yarra Valley sounds good.
There are also lots of good books to read to empower myself with knowledge.
A good book I recommend is Joyce Meyer's Battlefield of the Mind and Caroline Leaf 'Switch On your Brain'... these give insight on how we can strengthen our mind power.
xxx