Is a psychologist really worth it?

[gustavofring]

So I'm having an intake soon.

But you have to make an additional payment of 200 euro for mental health care. Even just having an intake costs 100 euro. Even if the intake doesn't give rise to additional visits. Yay privatization of the mental health market. I'm already severly in debt, so I don't know if it's a smart decision at all to get ripped off by psychologists.

I'm wondering if it's worth it at all really, but at this point I feel like I need some sort of talk about my problems with a physical human being, who I don't feel ashamed to about talking about my $hit, to get my life in order.

I think the lady made some sort of arrangement for me to just have the talk and then see about wether I can be helped there or if I can be referred to another specialist.

What do you think

 

[coyote]

in this country we have to pay for all our health care

if i broke my arm or had my appendix burst or had a tooth abcess, i'd pay to get those things taken care of rather than live in agony

why wouldn't i want to do the same thing when something goes wrong with my brain?

 

[Honda]

Based on my experience, going to a session or two does not harm. If they tell you that you have a problem, which they always will do and that treating this problem will require a very long time & medication. Then show them the middle finger and walk away.

The last thing you want is to be victimized and enslaved by people or medication that are supposed to guide you to live a better life.

Steer away from Meds whatsoever.

You are better off with a social support system of family and close friends instead of those sick bastards, that take your dignity away if not your money.

 

[Earthcircle]

Psychotherapy is evidently no better than placebo for depression. The same is true of antidepressant meds. Given that placebo works to the same degree, why pay anything at all?

What each of us needs to do is figure out something free, or very inexpensive, that will make us feel better. Develop a routine out of it, and stick with it. People in the middle ages fasted twice a week and prayed five or seven times daily. I don't get into prayer, but that may give one some idea of what sort of thing might give one the feeling of doing something. For example: self-hypnosis or meditation with a fixation on Gaia might work for me. What works for you depends upon your beliefs, personality, culture, etc.

 

[gustavofring]

Hey Earthcircle.

Yeah I've tried routines. I listen to self help audiobooks. I try to meditate. I exercise. When I do this, I feel slightly better, but I always seem to slip back into old habits. I feel this works as a temporary placebo too.

I still can't force myself to do the stuff I need to do. Especially school-related because it's shrouded by a lot of shame and fear. Also looking for a job. The eternal procrastinator.

I feel like I need something tangible to get me out of my shelve. To have to show up somewhere, with someone monitoring my actions. I feel like if I only have myself to watch over myself, I won't have the willpower to do anything.

 

[laure15]

You mentioned going to school. Doesn't your school offer free counseling sessions? I know my school offers 5 free visits to see a mental health counselor every semester.

 

[Hellhound]

I say go for it. It can help a lot when you find the right person. Mental health is as important as your physical health.

 

[MikeyC]

if i broke my arm or had my appendix burst or had a tooth abcess, i'd pay to get those things taken care of rather than live in agony

why wouldn't i want to do the same thing when something goes wrong with my brain?

I say go for it. It can help a lot when you find the right person. Mental health is as important as your physical health.

Absolutely x 2.

 

[OceanMist]

So I'm having an intake soon.

But you have to make an additional payment of 200 euro for mental health care. Even just having an intake costs 100 euro. Even if the intake doesn't give rise to additional visits. Yay privatization of the mental health market. I'm already severly in debt, so I don't know if it's a smart decision at all to get ripped off by psychologists.

I'm wondering if it's worth it at all really, but at this point I feel like I need some sort of talk about my problems with a physical human being, who I don't feel ashamed to about talking about my $hit, to get my life in order.

I think the lady made some sort of arrangement for me to just have the talk and then see about wether I can be helped there or if I can be referred to another specialist.

What do you think

I got sent to a mental hospital before and I'm still in debt from that.

I would advise trying to work your problems out yourself. There's so much stuff that can help you online that a psychologist can tell you. There are also many books on social phobia.

JMo.

 

[Earthcircle]

I got sent to a mental hospital before and I'm still in debt from that.

I would advise trying to work your problems out yourself. There's so much stuff that can help you online that a psychologist can tell you. There are also many books on social phobia.

JMo.

I believe that OceanMist makes a good point. In other forums, I've talked about really scary experiences I've had in mental health, and then people get angry at me for spoiling the therapy party. Without going into details, it's not guaranteed to be safe much less effective. Exploring alternatives might not be a bad idea.

 

[deux_ex]

The right psychologist is. Seek one who doesn't only want to compliment you, or that you feel like you have to impress. If they only want to focus on the present, even better. I found that those who prefer stream-of-consciousness rambling, expressing whatever comes out, are the best. It's not necessary to jump right into the past because whatever's affecting you today is surely tied into that anyway.

I knew I found the therapist for me when instead of being impressed by my verbose explanations, she just asked "... so what does that actually mean?" She's very practical like that, which works well with the way I beat around the bush of things. When you're more to the point with what's bothering you, you find **** gets cleared a lot more quickly.

 

[bcsr]

You only get out of therapy what you put into it. It is definitely worth it, provided you actually participate, and do what is asked of you. If you aren't going to do your "homework", which is normally exposure, don't waste the money. If you are ready, and take it seriously, it can be extremely helpful.

 

[Fighter86]

Well if you feel you are at your wit's end and really need someone to talk to do go ahead with a therapist. I once saw a therapist for 6 months during which time I had a good therapist after which she left the other one who took over was not too good so I did not continue. Thus I believe finding a good therapist for yourself would be important. Also have you thought what direction would you want to take with your therapist? Previously I focused mainly on CBT (behavior cognitive theraphy) not much of talking about my problems. Also I don't know how frequent you plan to have your sessions as they can add to the cost quite a bit. Just some things to think about.

 

[timetoheal79]

It has worked for myself in the way of fully acknowledging that I have this hideous condition. I only needed 3 sessions. The psych didn't teach me anything I hadn't read online already and in a lot of ways I could have taught him a thing or two about SA. It was a great way to deeply accept that I have work to do to dissolve this behaviour. I think for me I had become a little lazy and complacent about healing before going to psych. Read something, feel better, stop healing and let the behaviour slowly creep back in until I was full blown loosing the plot again. Psych has only made me commit harder and stronger and to not give up. I am all for it in that way. Everyone's right, online has all the answers and psychs only reinforce what online has to offer. I see it as a step in commitment.. good luck

 

[gustavofring]

That's right, timetoheal, commitment is what I seek too. That's part of why I took this step, even if it's just a few times.

Online..Yes it has all the answers... Well it has multiple choice answers. There's a lot of confusing and contradictive stuff out there. Also with my Day-to-day attention span, I constantly find new stuff and have new insights that I then forget about.

 

[gustavofring]

So I went, and was quite nervous.

I filled in a question list with her, and told her about my problems. She recommends psycho-therapy for me, based on my past and upbringing and concluded that there may be some factors that played a hand in the perpetual depression that I have been in. A sort of basal abscence of comfort and taking care of myself (because of death of parents when I was quite young).

I guess I'm gonna go with it, bit scared though.

 

[MikeyC]

So I went, and was quite nervous.

I filled in a question list with her, and told her about my problems. She recommends psycho-therapy for me, based on my past and upbringing and concluded that there may be some factors that played a hand in the perpetual depression that I have been in. A sort of basal abscence of comfort and taking care of myself (because of death of parents when I was quite young).

I guess I'm gonna go with it, bit scared though.

Good on you for going along with it. The first sessions are always the hardest; I was nervous as all hell with mine, too. It'll get better from here on. Good luck!