How many here see a therapist?

[Skinny]

Yes!

I have two! One for the meds they have had to be changed due to my 1st true bought of depression...Ahhhh It sucks!

and another who I go and talk to once a week. She is great! So lucky to have her. I have PTSD due to my childhood only to grow up and have MS. and many other bad things thrown my way.

My husband isnt suportive at all... in fact he wants me to just hurry up and get better already. I am starting to think that getting a laywer and getting on ssdi and ssi and getting a divorce I just may be a happier person!
I would rather struggle and have less but be happy. Sorry I am in a mood tonight. But I see two and I enjoy it.
Depression is scarry and I think if anyone gets it or has it needs to see one. the mind is so powerful we dont even understand it not even Drs its like MS. haha not funny but just as anyoying.

[sunshine008]

you guys are great

you guys are great for jumping in and sharing some personal stuff to help others out there who may need to hear how therapy can help out.

Jules good for you and i'm sure you do and will help many. i'm just finishing my undergraduate in pyschology, so i should be up and running soon hopefully.

i missed my therapy last week and will be running to it this week lol.

[hope32]

I've seen a therapist in the past and it really helped. It was actually the emotional upheaval following my first MS attack in 2001 that got me started on my journey to become a therapist myself. I had no one to talk to who understood (didn't help that my MS attack began the day I moved to Taiwan, where I knew no one, to start a new job).
Right after I had my relapse in 2007 that led to my official diagnosis, I took a Group Counseling class. We had pseudo group therapy sessions where we took turns leading. I took advantage of one of those to process my MS diagnosis and it was actually incredibly healing for me. I'm really thankful I had that opportunity. I wouldn't hesitate to see one again in the future, and probably will if the disease continues to progress as it suddenly is seeming to.

[owlnona]

Yes I have seen several over the years.
I did have an awful childhood.I woun't bother everyone w/ my long story.
The last theripist I went to was after my dear husband passed away. I went to her for several weeks,untill one day she said " well your fine now,make an appt if you need me again."I've never gone back. That was almost 5yrs ago & I just kind of muddle along now.
I'm not opposed to going again to see one,It's just to much trouble as I've gone down hill so fast I can't make the effort! LOL.
God Bless Nona Judy

[Thinkimjob]

My troubles are not curable by a therapist. But, if it works for you, that's a good thing.

[centerles3]

therapist/schmeripist

I went to see a therapist on 3 occasions. He didn't do me any good. I gave him a book I had been reading called "MS and your Feelings". All he said was you seem to be ahead of the game. I said excuse me but my life isn't any sort of game. He said I can't help you, I can't imagine what it's like to be diagnosed with an incurable disease.

MS may not be curable but it is treatable.

[seena]

I have gone in and then quit. I went to one, and didn't realize it was not under my insurance umbrella, so now I am deep in debt, and all we really accomplished was her getting to know me a little.

Now I am bringing my boys to one, for mood disorders, and ADHD but just started. They both went to a psych. dr. last spring and are on meds.

I am on medications, which my neuro. started for me for depression. My mom would love me to go to a councilor. But I did call a women I respect, christian, and we meet weekly to talk and pray. I think that is better then the last councilor. Not that she didn't do any good, helped me focus on goals, and kept me in check. Yet, this is working for me. God's word is very motivational too. Listening to the bible on DVD.

I think it is hard to find the person that is a good fit for you. But hope everyone has someone to help them through life's trials and celebrations.

[Jules A]

That's great, Jules! I had no idea you were going in that direction, I'm sure you will make a great therapist.

Planting a seed can be the start to change for your clients. Changes can come slowly but they can happen. I have always felt and said "I am a work in progress."

I completely agree.

I have not had clinical depression in quite a few years and I have not used an anti-depressants in as many years. I did the majority of my work without medication and my therapist prefered her clients not on medication if it was possible.

Since therapy I have found the inner peace I struggled so hard to find on my own, but it was just out of my reach. I am rarely angry or irritable --- I am at peace, such a wonderful feeling.

Anger can eat you alive.

Thank you. I'm really enjoying doing therapy right now although as soon as I get my prescriptive rights I'll be doing more medication management with brief therapy sessions because that is what pays the bills.

The good news is I have learned valuable skills for both myself and my clients and now can see the wisdom in embracing therapy as well as my beloved medication.

[Nebbykoo]

I see a therapist. I like her a lot, and she has helped me a lot too. I go almost every week.

[nrtackett]

yes

I actually started seeing a therapist right BEFORE my dx because I (and everyone around me) thought I was going crazy. Now that I have the dx i feel that the therapy has been helping me deal with issues as they arise.

Luckily, out here we have a mental health group that offers a sliding scale for fees (which, in my case) makes it pretty cheap. I joke that it is cheaper than a movie and a lot more entertaining.

It also helps that I have a close friend that is a psychiatrist that works with a lot of people with chronic illnesses including MS.

I truly think that therapy can be a good help when dealing with the emotional everyday issues that can come up during this disease.

[empirerecs]

YES!!!!

I wouldn't know what to do without one. I've seen a therapist since 92. I have bipolar (finally correctly dx this summer).

I don't have a lot of 'good' listeners - well actually none. So I need a therapist to help me get through the thoughts that keep running through my head. When I was first dx with MS it was the least of my worries at the time. I figured I couldn't change it, so why worry. I think that worried my therapist of 5 years and when I finally came to terms with it after 2 years he seemed relieved. I needed to grieve and he helped me through that. He helped me through a lot of things I could never have done on my own.

My MS has scared away family and friends. I'm in a new state now, 2 weeks, and haven't found a new therapist yet, have an appointment next week with my new psychiatrist and will ask for a referral. I'm going crazy. I am anxious and very upset and want to cry but am trying to hold it all in because my BF really doesn't get it. He has been disabled for decades and hides his feelings VERY WELL to the point of annoyance and pure stubborness, but I'm too new to this to "suck it up" as I have been told.

If it weren't for therapy I wouldn't know how I would function. I also have OCD, they have really helped in that aspect, most "civillians" don't understand that one.

I am now a self pay patient - I have no insurance, medicare has not kicked in and I don't qualify for medicaid or any other financial assistance, I'm just happy I had a good 401k and invested wisely. It's going to be hard but I need the therapy.

If you feel you need the help, get it. I will do wonders for you.

[Tawanda]

No

It would just be another $20 co payment.

I know I am sick. I know there is no cure.

.....Ditto

[Tawanda]

He said I can't help you, I can't imagine what it's like to be diagnosed with an incurable disease.

You have to give the guy a point for honesty and not just taking your money and blowing smoke up your butt. Perhaps he could have given you a referral, however.

[Tawanda]

Whatever gets you through the night well worth it

My troubles are not curable by a therapist. But, if it works for you, that's a good thing.

I agree, when you have M.S., whatever gets you through the night. If it works for you guys, I'm for it. Before I was sick, I had other issues in which therapy was helpful, but I did see it as a type of luxury item, so I'm not sure I needed it that bad. It is certainly a better tool for releasing stress than drugs or alcohol, for instance.

Now I would much rather spend the time, money and the ENERGY on my my DD. She is already 10 and won't be my baby much longer. Plus I don't want to waste one second of my semi-functioning physical status on anything else. This disease makes you feel like your on a treadmill...trying to use each second of your life in the most optimal way possible because you never know when you're going to lose functions.

BTW, my cats deserve a co-pay, too, for keeping my company all day.

[Jules A]

I agree, when you have M.S., whatever gets you through the night. If it works for you guys, I'm for it. Before I was sick, I had other issues in which therapy was helpful, but I did see it as a type of luxury item, so I'm not sure I needed it that bad. It is certainly a better tool for releasing stress than drugs or alcohol, for instance.

Now I would much rather spend the time, money and the ENERGY on my my DD. She is already 10 and won't be my baby much longer. Plus I don't want to waste one second of my semi-functioning physical status on anything else. This disease makes you feel like your on a treadmill...trying to use each second of your life in the most optimal way possible because you never know when you're going to lose functions.

BTW, my cats deserve a co-pay, too, for keeping my company all day.

I agree with your rationale and have to say my critters are better therapy than any money could buy however if things change and you aren't able to manage your life stressors I'd urge anyone to seek formal therapy.

The key imo is to find one that you click with and it often doesn't happen on the first attempt. If money is an issue there are many options and therapists who work for a very discounted rate.

In my state people on the state insurance programs, usually disabled or low income individuals, actually have wonderful access to many types of therapy for free so that would be something to investigate if there ever is a need.