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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by FrustratedMama on October 18, 2011, at 16:08:33
Hi everyone,
I have previously posted on and off on the medication board....and maybe once or twice here...wondering what others feel about their current situation. For me, I feel as though I have two choices
1) Either spend every ounce of sanity I have holding down a job just to make ends meet or
(2) live with my mother and have somewhat of a life outside of work as I can't keep it together to do both....
Currently, I am working and trying to survive. However, since that takes every bit of energy I have I often live without groceries, have difficulty showering on the days off, am behind in housework (and I mean really behind), and sleep when I am not working (which is really bad because I am a single parent). I sometimes feel my child may be better off if I moved in with my mother as I am so spent at the end of the day that I am either short tempered, sleeping, or "unavailable" to give her what she needs...anybody have any suggestions.....YEARS of therapy with several different therapists has not made a difference! I dont care what anyone says....psychotherapy does not work UNLESS there is a reason for the way you feel that is not JUST because somebody decided to short circuit your neurotransmitters. I know many will disagree with me....but others will know EXACTLY how I feel. I wish I could explain why I am so irritable with delving into my issues but honestly the only reason I am irritable now is because I cant get a break from this horrible disease....and YES I think that mental health issues are MEDICALLY based. Ok...rant over for now.....hope I didn't offend anyone....just trying to get some issues out there that maybe someone else can relate to.FM
Posted by sleepygirl2 on October 18, 2011, at 19:12:33
In reply to Question: Hold a job or have a life?, posted by FrustratedMama on October 18, 2011, at 16:08:33
Do you feel like somebody might say that you "just" need to "get over it" by going to therapy?
I can only speak of my own experience.
My therapist seems to have a good deal of patience with me. He seems to have an idea that I'm managing (or not managing) a chronic condition along with all that therapy entails.
A lot of things have gotten better with therapy, some fundamental things haven't budged.
I can't figure it out. I spend a good deal of energy getting through my working days. I also spend much of my non-working time "recovering" or avoiding stimulation in almost any form. Socialization is not my idea of fun.
As far as the pooling resources idea, I'm all about that. Surviving is tough. But I don't know what might make you doubt whether living with mom is a good idea.
Posted by torrid on October 19, 2011, at 12:35:42
In reply to Question: Hold a job or have a life?, posted by FrustratedMama on October 18, 2011, at 16:08:33
It's hard to find the right therapist at the right time of life. you need both, to be ready and open to change and have the right guidence. I basically don't think therapy works in most cases, it has for me but I'm one of the lucky few. Hell I'd move in with a loving supportive family member if I could. If you have an invitation to live with your Mom and if it's not an unheathy relationship, why not except it and live with your family.
Posted by FrustratedMama on October 22, 2011, at 22:29:22
In reply to Re: Question: Hold a job or have a life? » FrustratedMama, posted by sleepygirl2 on October 18, 2011, at 19:12:33
I have tried therapy several times in the past. I just felt it was ineffective and that for me (not trying to say everyone would experience this) but for me ....therapy was a wasted of money as the only things that has ever helped me was medications. I think therapy might be more helpful for those who are already recieving benefit from medications and/or those who are experiencing situational depression or have some deep rooted feelings to resolve...
Posted by FrustratedMama on October 22, 2011, at 22:30:50
In reply to Re: Question: Hold a job or have a life?, posted by torrid on October 19, 2011, at 12:35:42
Thanks Torrid,
Yes, I am definitely considering the option as i am in foreclosure right now.
Thanks
as far as a healthy relationship...it isn't the best but who's is?
Posted by Dinah on October 23, 2011, at 16:43:14
In reply to Re: Question: Hold a job or have a life?, posted by FrustratedMama on October 22, 2011, at 22:29:22
I suppose it depends on the client, and perhaps the therapy and therapist and the fit.
I have biological issues, but choose to take as little medication as possible and manage with that and therapy. It works well for me. Depending on the issue, brain scans show that therapy can make some of the same changes in brain function that medications do.
They originally prescribed Luvox for my OCD, but I find that therapy has far fewer side effects. And I was originally on far more mood stabilizers than I am now for my bipolarish problems (somewhere on the spectrum). I gained fifty pounds on Depakote and never was able to get it off. With therapy and judicious as needed medication, I'm able to do with just the small dose of Lamictal prescribed for migraine prophylaxis. Therapy helps me use my as needed medications wisely. Could I do without medications entirely? My quality of life would suffer. Could I do without therapy entirely? My quality of life would suffer.
I'm not sure you can work backwards from whether or not therapy is helpful to discover the nature of someone's illness.
But if you've decided that therapy isn't for you, I totally respect that position. What is working for you right now? It sounds as if you're dealing with significant life stressors.
Posted by FrustratedMama on October 23, 2011, at 21:31:13
In reply to Re: Question: Hold a job or have a life?, posted by Dinah on October 23, 2011, at 16:43:14
Things arent working that well for me and financially I am struggling significantly. Pdoc wants me to try therapy again. Have done the therapy route for at least 10 years total (over about a 15 year time span with a variety of therapists. I have had some good therapists...and some not so good. None really made a difference in how I felt though. Just my experience. Wish I could say differently but when money is tight and thousands of dollars have been spent already on therapy without much success I have a hard time wanting to do it again. I would have to choose between taking my meds or going to therapy......personally I am going to take my prescriptions right now.
This is the end of the thread.
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