HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

How can I get help when no one will help?

Support Forums
>
Depression
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/28/2011 11:51 PM (GMT 0)

Hi.  I am brand new here.  Mostly because I don't know what else to do.  I don't know where to go to get help.  I'll make it as short as possible.  A few years ago I was having mood swings and I "sought" help. I had a heart condition at the time, so I was advised to go to the hospital for meds (they thought it was PPD).  Well, I had some problems with the admitting nurse, so I ended up leaving.  I then went home and called 4 psychiatrists/psychologists.  Two were on vacay and the other two were going to get back to me after confirming my insurance.  They never got back to me (even the ones on vacay; I had left msgs with them as well).  My mom (out of desperation) called a few herself...they never got back to us either.  I called the county mental health clinic; they said since I have insurance they couldn't see me.  they are for those without ins.  I called a hotline...the girl who answered was laughing and said "Hello".  I thought I dialled wrong, said "Sorry, wrong number" and as I was hanging up I heard her correcting herself.  Turns out it was a branch of the hospital I had had problems with before anyway so scratch that.  Anyway, things pretty much normalized but I am "spinning" again.  So I agreed to seek help (again).  Four phone calls again and pretty much the same old same old. One doc is no longer accepting patients, another "lost" a doc so he isn't accepting patients for at least 3 months, another IS accepting patients but doesn't have an opening until mid-February (!) and another never returned my call.  So now what?  I can't wait until Feb.  Besides by then I will either be so far gone I will not even consider help or I will have steadied again and won't want it.  The media is always saying "There's help out there, please call someone if you are depressed" but you could have fooled me!  Why do they make it so HARD to get help?I am not suicidal so the ER doesn't really care....any suggestions?  I just want to crawl into my bedroom and never come out.  And I don't know what else to do.  I'm sure you are all thinking "Suck it up" but maybe just for once, someone could take a little pity on me and try to help.  Thanks.

Posted 12/29/2011 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
If you don't mind telling us, where do you live? Don't want to know your county, only what state you live in if from the USA or what country if not?

A few other "options" for you that I can think of would be:

You family doctor. S/he may be able to prescribe you some medication to help as well as make a referral to a mental health professional and cut through some red tape. I know around here there is only 1 psychologist that will see people without some kind of referral.

The psychiatric department at your local hospital directly. When you call the hospital ask to speak with this department.

The state department of health. I am talking about the department within your state that runs and oversees all county mental health departments.

If you can't get anywhere with your local hospital try talking to ones in neighboring counties. Same thing goes with the county mental health department.
Posted 12/29/2011 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry, I live in PA.

I don't currently have a PCP, so I guess that's out.  As for the hospitals, we have three "local".  One is the one I had problems with before, another is one taht when I called I was told the doctor isn't taking on any new patients, and I haven't tried the third.  To say I became disheartened while making my calls would be an understatement (although it wasn't really a surprise).  I am not sure what the state could do.  If all they are going to do is refer me to county, then it won't matter as county has previously told me they really only help those w/o insurance.

I guess what I am wondering is should I say I am suicidal?  I hate to lie, but should I in order to get help?  I hate feeling this way (although I don't see how therapy will change anything) but I love my husband and children and I know it isn't fair  for them to have to deal with me like this. Since it seems I have tried just about every avenue, maybe I should just lie in order to get someone (anyone!) to see me.

Posted 12/29/2011 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
During the holidays it can be so very hard to get help, why don't you make an appointment with
one of the clinics that had a February date available and get that date scheduled and then ask
if you could be put on the cancellation listings, that way if someone should cancel you could
possibly get that appointment time and day....Others will come by with better answer, just be a little
patient...this is a good forum...hopefully once you get established with a doctor you'll be able
to get in to see him/her better...yeah the waiting sure does suck...it took me awhile to get into my
doctor but now that I'm established things go better..now in the mean time have you tried looking
into relaxation cd's, or books that might be of help...have you looked into the natural remedies such
as st. john's wart??? just tossing out suggestions... please keep us posted as we do care...
Many well wishes to you...
Posted 12/29/2011 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, DalMag, I'm sorry you're having so much difficulty in being able to see a specialist. You really need to get estabilished with a medical practice and have your own personal physician or internist and ask for help. That, I think, is the usual route for obtaining psychiatric help, although many psychiatrists will return a call if you are a patient whom they might be able to help.

Rely only on the truth in trying to get help.

You mention that you have children. Do they have a physician? If so, you might try to get a recommendation from one of their doctors if you don't have one for yourself and don't intend to get one.

Getting in to see a psychiatrist when there are only several available in a small community can be a real problem. A physician who sees the seriousness of your problem could get you in sooner or at least get you on medication to stabilize you until a psychiatrist can see you.

Take care of yourself.

I.G.
Posted 12/29/2011 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
It's scary sometimes waiting for some way to find a therapist. There are several places in my area but when I needed someone fast for my 37 year old son I nearly went out of my mind. There is an emergency unit at one hospital but it really has to be an emergency-----I had the police take my other son in once and I had to call them-- back twice and convince them that someone was going to get hurt if they didn't get him out of the house.This time my older son needed help and it was the same old story--call one clinic--long waiting list----call another and they don't take medicaid--call another and they give you two phone numbers---took almost a week and finally got a mobile unit from the emergency service to drive out to the house to see him--they gave us two more phone numbers. We are now waiting for one agency to see if he qualifies to get a case manager in another agency who will supposedly find out if he qualifies for another agency that handles developmental disabilities and has all sorts of services, residential and counseling including help for us, his parents---I expect we will be next year and with funding cuts we may still get turned down. It's hard and painful when you need help and can't get it but just hang in there. Some places may have emergency numbers you can call and at least talk to a trained volunteer. Or there is right here, just hang on. Weedy
Posted 12/29/2011 5:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi DalMag,

I had similar experience. I cried and called. Left messages - no response. Called a psychiatric institute, they only took in-patients. Called and was told about an appointment over a month away. I was feeling that no one wanted to help me. One day it got so bad that I called the suicide hotline. I ended up calling back and taking that appointment. I didn't think I was going to make it. My hw family helped me through. I ended up with a psych that in my opinion has to be one of the best.

I say make the appointment. The days may seem to creep past, but they will move. Keep sharing here. We will support you.
Posted 12/29/2011 9:44 AM (GMT 0)
with much healing compassion to you, jamie. we are here for you.
Posted 12/29/2011 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

Here are a couple of online sites that may help you some.  I am not sure.

http://www.moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome

http://www.ecouch.anu.edu.au/welcome

They are both freee so don't hesitatae to check them out.  I am not sure if they will help, but it wouldn't hurt to click on them and see what happens.

Hugs, Karen

PS  Welcome to the forum...

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply