Where do I turn to for help?

Question

I have been extremely short tempered. I am to a point where I think I need counseling.. I know I need it. I dont want my children to be affected by my temper, but lately I have noticed that I am yelling more and more. I really would like therapy but I cannot afford it, we live paycheck by paycheck and dont have any funds for counseling. If anyone could point me in the right direction or has any information on where I could get free counseling I would really appreciate it.
Thank you before hand, I really dont no where to turn.

Would the church talk to me without preaching? I study other religions. I wouldnt want to impose on a religion not my own...

Answer 1

Call your local univeristy hospitals to see if they have a mental health clinic that is based on income. Also see if your area has a community clinic. Do you have health insurance? You may have some mental health benefits, but if not just see your ob/gyn or regular internist and ask them for help. Call the Salvation Army or Catholic Charities and ask them if they can recommend a hot line, or a low cost clinic, or a counselor who does low income work.

There are things you can do to help yourself. Mom's start yelling when their lives are over burdened and out of control. Mininize what you are doing. Trim off or cut out every single thing you can to allow yourself some time to breath. Your kids can be put to bed after dinner, with books to read instead of watching tv. You can go for a short walk around the block when your husband is there. You can take a hot bath, or just lay in bed and read a book. Your husband can give you a massage. Make simple healthy dinners, and stop eating junk food. Do simple things with your kids instead of every activity known to mankind, they will do just fine.

Take care of yourself first, then your husband, then your kids, then the pets(if you don't have them, don't get them) and then the house. On Saturdays before anyone goes anyplace, everyone cleans the house. Teach the kids to do their own laundry, if they are age appropriate. Delegate jobs, every makes a meal from start to finish on their night. You might be eating cereal, but you won't be fixing it.

Nap when you can. Everyone has to take a nap on saturday and sunday. Make bedtime early for the kids(they will survive 8pm), and then you and your husband spend some time together and then go to bed early. It'll be waiting for you the next day, you don't have to do it before you go to bed.

I don't know if these suggestions will help you. However its common for a mom who is so overwhelmed that she doesn't know her middle name, to get angry. Simplify your life, it might help.

Answer 2

I was in the same situation. I got to the point where I couldn't even stand to be around myself. Depending on where you live there are usually free or low income asssistance for outpatient psychiatric help (counseling, group, etc.). A good start would be to contact either your local city/county and your state services department to see what resources are available. If you don't find anything there, you can also check out NAMI.org (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill). They have advocates in every state and can direct you to agencies that can help. Sometimes when you feel nothing is available it can be difficult to spend the effort hunting down resources. Please don't give up. It will be worth it for your family and for yourself.

Answer 3

Generally churches have free counseling. Some you may have to attend but others I think can just be anyone.

Answer 4

Universities usually have free or low cost counseling for their upper class students who are interning as counselors. Call a university.

Answer 5

You can recieve free counceling from any local church organization. Try a local pastor. Many of them have degrees in psycology and will be glad to help you.