If you would be kind enough to share your experience, I will be
very grateful. Three of my friends have confided that they have,
in the past, sought professional help for their various emotional
problems. Two of them claim that it was a waste of their time.
The third (who also was prescribed some very financially draining
medications) says that "talking out" her problems made her feel
better, but couldn't explain what, specifically, her doctor had done
to help her - besides listening, that is.
Currently, I am facing a dilemma. A family member (I care about
very much) is refusing to continue the therapy (and meds) she has
been recieving (actually, just tolerating) for over two years now.
Her mental health care providers disagree with her decision - and
frankly, I can't provide any good reasons for her to go on with her
treatment. So far, she really doesn't seem much improved. Please
help, if you can. My experience with this type of thing is limited.
2006-10-12 19:23:39 · 13 answers · asked by 1staricy2nite 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Sincere thanks to all of you who responded to this sensitive and personal question. I've read and re-read each answer several times - and learned a lot. My plan now is to pass on all the excellent and thoughtful advice to the "family member" mentioned in my question - my seventeen-year-old
granddaughter. Hopefully, the wisdom of others who have "been there - done that" will make her life a litte less challenging.
If nothing else, I think she will be touched that each of you, in your own way, have reached out a helping hand. I know I am.
As far as "best" answer is concerned....
VERY difficult to choose just one, but here goes:
2006-10-14 23:42:55 · update #1
Do not listen to unifromed posters.
Just as some people have diabeteses, and thus need to take insulin, or some people have blood problems and need to take blood thiners, so some people would benefit from medications to helpthe brain. If you really think about it the human brain is the most complex machine ever built, and is able to function for 80 + years effectivly without any repairs. So it's not surprising that for some a little help might be needed in order to live a more healthy life.
I know many people who have benefited from mental help extensivly, my self included. One person sums it up best when he desribed his therapist as the person who saved his life. A good therapy program is not about just "talking through" your problems, or complaining about your childhood. It is about a program of medication (if appropriate) and cognitive therapy to ASSIT a person in changing their life.
It sounds like the problem you have if a professional who is not helping. This is very common, most people by far have to go to several people until they find one that works well with them. As a general rule, if you are not being helped in 2-3 months at maximum you should seriously consider switching doctors.
Like all things in life you just have to keep trying and not disparage, as I said many people I know personally had to go through a few professionals until they found one right for them. And they are all happy they didn't give up.
Good Luck.
2006-10-12 19:53:20 · answer #1 · answered by homersmyid 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I have benefitted greatly from being seen by a mental health pro. The key to being helped is to be totally honest about everything that is going on ie:drug abuse, sexual abuse, mental, physical etc. The next key to help is to be open to the docs suggestions and weekly goals they set up for you. My doc suggested that I start taking meds to help with my situation and I told him, "If after say 3 or 4 months I don't feel like I'm making any progress or feeling better then we will discuss medications. Unless u have been clinically diagnosed with a mental ilness or chemical imbalance that is causing the problem, meds are only a temporary fix. On the other hand, if you do have a chemical imbalance or have been clinically diagnosed with a mental problem, then by no means should you quit taking the meds prescribed. Please have a consultation with the doctor before stopping, some of those meds can cause death if stopped suddenly. the doctors will usually wean you off of them slowly so as not to cause any more harm.
2006-10-13 02:54:57 · answer #2 · answered by GREG G 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Counseling and medication therapy do not work for everyone,especially if they do not want it.I have had a mental illness which is hereditary for 25 years. I have sought out different doctors and counselors over that time but I have also gained a lot of knowledge about who is there for my best interest and who just wants to drug me up.I have the ability to take matters into my own hand before they escalate out of my control.Your family member may need a break from these providers and your family may have to re-evaluate her situation.If she is able to help make a clear decision on her future treatment include her in on the discussion.It is her life!!!!!
2006-10-13 11:51:51 · answer #3 · answered by miss-snoopy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It can take years to help with mental health issues. It takes a lot of therapy and at times medication. Sometimes finding the right combination of medications can take months or years to just do that. But, your family member shouldn't have to "just tolerate" her medication or therapy. If she is unhappy for Any reason...she has to be able to voice her concerns...perhaps switch therapists or even psychiatrists to someone who she is more comfortable talking with and explaining her problems with. The mental health profession is a wonderful field...but, as with any other field, it is only as good as the people working there are. Communication is the key. If she is feeling harrassed or unhappy and unsure of where to go to change her dr.'s...please e-mail me. I'm quite sure I'll be able to find some information to help her. (sub_katie_73@yahoo.com) Please just tell her that giving up is not the answer...if she's unhappy now, stopping therapy and medication is definitely not the way to get better.
*elizabeth
2006-10-13 02:55:32 · answer #4 · answered by sub_katie_73 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe, as a compromise this relative should take a short break from therapy. Therapy can be very demanding, you have to try to answer questions within yourself and it takes time to be able to SEE the point.
Effective therapy can extend for years as gradually things unfold. We, ourselves are one of the main blockers of therapy working. You have to be very open to ideas and drop all your defenses, if your relative can do this, therapy will be more effective. You get out of it what you are able to put in to it.
I have personal experience and know, if you are willing to drop your guard, (really hard), and go with it, even if at first you don't agree with what the therapist appears to be suggesting, then it can (and certainly did), help.
Best wishes.
2006-10-14 08:55:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
u r absolutely right, 1 actually know of two frnds who have gone to counsellors but without help. i thnk the average kinda councellors can do little about serious problems. one has to go for expertise help, but again, that is money draining.
best i can tell is to find out somone in the family who gel with the affected quite well. the patient can relate to the him in no time.
personally i feel these councellors act as catalysts, they can enhance the positivity of the patient, but the urge shud com frm the patient. if he doesnt help himself, no one can. so he has to be motivated by someone close to him.
i am very sorry to hear you. i wud have given much more care and affection to her than to visit a regular mental councellor.
all the best
2006-10-13 02:43:53 · answer #6 · answered by mimpi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My husband is mentally ill. She needs to stay on her meds, but if she is having some side effects she should talk to her psychiatrist and have the DR. prescribe something else. You don't say what her problem is but with any mental problem I think it is best to stay in contact with your Dr. I hope this helps.
2006-10-13 02:47:15 · answer #7 · answered by amber 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes i have, 6 or 7 years ago. although i am having some issues that i have to take care of at this time i did see a therapist & she really helped me deal with some issues that i had. after that they put me om paxil which made me worse so i quit that takimg it. the thimg that helped the most was talkimg to her.
2006-10-13 02:40:04 · answer #8 · answered by tmm lep 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get her ouit of therapy. The only real cure is take responsibily for herself.
2006-10-13 02:30:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've had a couple mental breakdowns and need to stay on medication.
2006-10-13 02:49:02 · answer #10 · answered by unseen_force_22 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋