Lived Experience Forum

[Saarne]

I don't know where to look next as it feels like I have exhausted all my treatment options. I know hopelessness is a hallmark of depression, but I really have tried a lot. I have done courses in CBT, DBT and mindfulness, and I really tried. I've seen so many therapists who use all sorts of therapies including schema. I've tried TDCS, biofeedback/HRVT and Neurofeedback. I've been on just about every type of med, and they do help, but life is still a struggle.
I've got to the point where professionals don't even have any suggestions for me - my last therapist quit recently and wasn't confident to refer me to anyone in her organisation. My psychiarist just looks at me blankly.
I don't know what to do. I probably need a knew doctor and therapist, but I've had a lot of bad experiences (right up to legit negligence) and I find it difficult to connect to therapists, so finding someone new seems like an impossible task.

Any advice?

[frog]

Hello @Saarne Sorry to hear that it's hard for you. I have had very mixed experiences with health professionals and I know how lucky I am to have found some who are a good fit for me. It sounds defeatist, but I have had to lower my expectations. There is a therapy called ACT - Acceptance Commitment Therapy, which has been helpful for me, and a book that I go back to: Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach. Life is a struggle for me too. Sometimes I get tired of it, but sometimes there are small victories. I struggle with self-care and that's what I'm working towards. All the best, and welcome to the forum.

[Margot]

Hi @Saarne

I'm Margot, nice to meet you  😊

It sounds like you've expreinced a whole lot of diffrent treatment options so far and the fit hasn't been quite right. You're certianly not alone there, and I'm sure a lot of our members can relate to having tried different clinicians or therapies and not finding that they fit well with them. 

Despite that, it's great to hear you're open to trying new things. Therapy is so relational and sometimes it takes trying out a number of different people before we find someone who we can really connect with. If you're psychiatrist or GP are unable to make specific recommendations, you can check out websites of services close to you through Health Direct: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/australian-health-services

You can also seek out individual psychologists or mental health social workers on these websites:

https://www.aasw.asn.au/find-a-social-worker/search/

https://www.aasw.asn.au/find-a-social-worker/search/

You can filter your search by location or area of expertise, and the profiles tend to have blurbs about the practitioners too. I hope that helps a little. 

Good on you for reaching out and I do hope you find a support person who feels like the right fit for you. 

[Saarne]

Hi @frog. Thanks for your support.
My therapist who just quit did a some ACT, I'm not sure how to find someone else who would and I'm not great with reading or self directed therapy. I'm glad you have someone who is a good fit.
I'm pretty functional and really all that keeps me going is the hope that life might get better. I dont think I can accept that this is as good as it gets and life will always be this hard. Believing that would make me worse! But that's the message I am getting.

@Margot thanks for your reply.
I don't think picking a random name off a list is going to work for me. I really have difficulty finding therapists I can work with. My last therapist didn't think I was a good fit with any of her colleagues (she had a lot), even tho she was able to refer all her other clients on.
I'd be happy to try new people, however, it's such a tedious process, and I can't afford having to go to multiple people and paying several sessions each time.
Plus I'm already getting a reputation because I've gone through a half dozen psychiatrists and several therapists.
Thanks anyway.

[Margot]

That makes complete sense @Saarne and it can feel long a really tedious process for sure. 

It sounds as though you have some interest in ACT, as mentioned by @frog. ACT can be a really great therapy for a lot of people. If you are intersted in seeking out an ACT therapist again, and can't find any through your existing mental health support network, you might like to give Beyond Blue or the SANE Help Centre a call to help you locate somebody new.

You've likely already tried this, but perhaps there are people in your social network who can recommend practitiners?

I hear what you're saying around not really wanting to try out a random person, however it does sound as though you would like info on how to locate another ACT therapist. If so, you might like to check out this website: https://www.actmindfully.com.au/directory.asp

I completely understand though, if that's not the way you want to go about it. Keep perservering @Saarne. Things can always get better and I wish you all the best with your search  🐼

[utopia]

@Saarne. So sorry to hear you are struggling to find a good therapist who will work well with you. It is very frustrating having to go from one to another to find a decent specialist you feel comfortable with. And having to open up and tell your story over again. That must be very painful.
I'm just starting to come out if my latest depression episode (been over 12 months). I've seen some not so great and down right dangerous specialists. But I'm glad I persisted.BBecause I now have a good psychologist and psychiatrist.
There are small moments of happiness now (fleeting) - but longer moments of feeling content, for me.
So please don't give up trying to find the right therapist for you.
By the way - there is nothing wrong with you. The problem lies with the therapists of the past, nit being good enough for you.

[Eden1919]

@Saarne hello I can relate I have been trying for my whole life first time I saw a psych I was 2 started meds when I was 3 I am in my 20's now and I still feel terrible and nothing seems to help enough to be at a place where things are manageable. I have seen dozens of psychiatrists and many psychologists and done a whole bunch of therapy but still I find I am not coping. It is extremely exhausting and I feel for you that you are struggling with this issue. All I can say at the moment though is maybe try something totally different I have recently started going to the gym now I thought I was going to hate it but I am overweight so I need to do it but it is actually the only thing keeping me going right now. Sometimes fun activities or doing things you like or make you relaxed can bring a small bit of relief for the day and make each day more bearable not saying it will fix things but maybe finding like a hobby will take your mind off things even if only for a hour or even a minute that is still a minute of relief. I don't know just a thought.

[Saarne]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Glad to hear that some of you ha've found some relief.
I'm still feeling lost, but I'm not so distressed atm. The new psychologist I was referred to declined to take me on. My clinic has lost all the handover paperwork from my therapist who quit. So idk what's next, but I definitely feel unlucky!