Is it possible to get discrete phychological counseling?

Question

Lately I have had several "episodes" in which I seem to swing back and forth between the world in my head and reality ( whatever that means ).
I have tried very hard to get from day to day without acting in a way that would make other see me as a little "off", but it seems I can't. I have had some really, really scary hallucinations, people's voices seem to be different from time to time, and I cant feel - anything - at all. I fake my reactions, but inside I feel dead already. There is a kind of monster that follows me around everywhere, sometime comforting me, sometimes screaming at me... I feel like my head is going to pop open, and I am too paranoid to tell my wife or my Doctor about it... I tried - I really did - but the voice always talks me out of it.

I am afraid I am going to loose my wife, my kids, my job - everything - and end up on the street.... I know there is a very real chance of that happening....

How can I get help without my Family or my boss finding out?

Answer 1

well, there is confidentiality, so the doctor will not be able to reveal anything about you to anyone. they cant even confirm or deny that you are their patient. so you're safe there.

beyond that, it would be wise to tell at least your wife about it pretty soon. you wouldnt really need to tell anyone else, but make sure you mention something to her before too long. its better that she knows whats going on. then she can support you, rather than feel like you are keeping secrets from her.

just tell her (when you are ready, of course) that you havent felt quite right lately, and that you are going to visit a few times with a specialist to see if there's anything to worry about. let her know that you dont know anything yet (i wouldnt give her your symptoms just yet) but that you will tell her once you find something out.

Answer 2

Whether you are in the USA or the UK or Australia, if you are able to pay to go to a psychotherapist privately, you are covered under confidentiality clauses in the psychotherapist's Code of Ethics (do make sure you see someone who is a registered/accredited member of a professional organisation). There ARE exceptions to absolute confidentiality - in the UK, these are if you could be a danger to yourself or others, are engaged in serious criminal activity or where there is risk to children. Should such a risk present itself within the therapy, the psychotherapist will try to help you seek the necessary help and it is only if you refuse and s/he is seriously concerned that s/he will break confidentiality.

What I would say, though, is that having such horrible hallucinations, with a voice who persecutes you in this way, may be helped by medication alongside therapy. I have worked with someone who suffered from such voices and it was a combination of medication and psychotherapy which really helped him, and that would be my general expectation. If you are in the UK, there is no reason why your GP would talk to anyone else (other than in the confidentiality-breaking circumstances outlined above).

There is no reason why your boss or wife should find out, unless those confidentiality-breaking conditions apply.

I really hope you can get some help - your self-awareness makes clear that you could benefit from psychotherapy (i.e. you are not in a state of delusion which is unreachable by psychological reflection) and your suffering must be becoming unbearable. Please do try and get some help as soon as possible. Good luck.

Answer 3

You absolutely need to go and visit your GP straight away. They are there to help you and can refer you to someone who can help. They can amke a formal assessment of you and give you advice about what to do next. At this early stage a isuggest you take some time off work, maybe holiday time and relax whilst going through early stages of the assessment. Mostly you don't need to tell anyone that you are seeing a phsychologist but if they think that you have a mental health condition your boss will need to be notified because you can take a leave of absence from work while you recover. I cant stress enough about getting help, as you mentioned you have a family to look after.

Answer 4

Step 1: Get a complete physical to rule out anything medical that could be causing your
symptoms.
Step 2: Ask your doctor for a referral to a
Psychologist.
Unless you open your mouth and tell people no one will know. Your wife said for better or worse.
You will need support to face this. Give her a chance. Good luck.

Answer 5

Just find a psychiatrist in your area and make an appointment. No information you give him or anyone in his office can be shared, they cannot even tell anyone if you are a patient or not. The laws are very strict and very clear on patient doctor confidentiality.

Answer 6

Under federal law: the Dr. cannot disclose any information to any1 w/o your consent. It's called Dr./patient confidentiality.

Answer 7

All psychological help is strictly confidential, you may be experiencing paranoia with your illness, be aware of it and try as hard as you can to ignore the paranoia and seek help.

Answer 8

You may not be able to get help without your family knowing but it shouldn't matter. They will support you. Your employer doesn't have to know unless you tell them. Just get the help you need ASAP, the rest doesn't matter.

Answer 9

I suggest going to your local Church and inquiring if there is a Counseling service or if they can refer you to another local Church that offers those services. My local church offers very good counseling free of charge.