Therapy and academic struggles

[icescreaming]

I have big ambitions but my anxiety and depression are preventing me from studying and since I am a senior, I have big stakes: college.

I abruptly stopped my medication because of parental pressure, and then stopped it a second time because I just couldn't do it anymore (I had completely given up). My psychiatrist was not helpful at all, it consisted of lectures on how "I am a kid and I don't know what I want", so I stopped visiting him. I have had multiple therapists but they don't meet what I want from therapy and are often not understanding of the fact that I want CBT for PTSD. I try to voice my opinions and my CBT requirements, but they seem to dismiss my trauma and try to redirect the therapy to another issue, that I feel is completely unrelated to my current state of mind. I have been having issues with the mental health professionals I approach for almost 2 years now.

Honestly, given up on therapy. My current needs are pertaining to loneliness and a complete lack of motivation, but I cannot have that because I need to apply to uni soon.

Any suggestions?

[bonkers65]

Keep shopping around, if you can, until you find a therapist that fits. And push yourself to do what you have to do. You'll feel better because you won't have that stress on you and you will feel better about yourself. Plus it will probably get your mind off yourself. Keep on keeping on.

[EndUser13]

I'm afraid the best thing you can do is to keep going through the struggle of finding the right therapist for you. For ages I had my own issues with therapists who didn't seem to get it and that's understandable as PTSD and anxiety and depression relating to it can be a very difficult beast to understand. I was fortunate enough to finally find someone who specialized in trauma, but part of the reason they are a great match for me is because they (unfortunately) went through their own stuff, so they can actually relate. I have had a couple of therapists who were decent despite not being able to relate, including one who was big on CBT/DBT

Happy hunting

[mornie_alantie]

Hi there. I can relate, considering I was basically "a kid" when a specialist saw me in for a consultation and diagnosed me. I have also had some struggles finding the right medication and I understand parental pressure very well, especially considering the culture I grew up in and our medical system. Finding the right medication is definitely a process, and no matter what your parents say or how difficult they are (I know mine were), if you think treatment is something you need, you should follow your instinct and search for it. I support you in finding help and so do other people here, just strangers on the internet, who want you to find the help you deserve and are entitled to.

I understand how difficult your situation is and you have every right to be frustrated. I don't particularly like giving advice, since I believe that each person deserves a chance to form opinions for themselves, but I can offer suggestions from my own personal experience.

One is to definitely keep trying. I know it's hard, but you will come to a point where you will find a therapist that suits you and your needs. It might not be someone who particularly specializes in CBT, but they might be able to offer you insight into some techniques that they are a familiar with and that might help you regardless.

The second is to try to manage your symptoms through common techniques that can be found for free on the internet, until you find the right professionals that can help. If you can afford to buy a CBT workbook, for example, or maybe a self-help book that would suit you, that would be great, but there really are great free resources. Some of the free resources I found particularly useful are YouTube channels TherapyinaNutshell and DrTraceyMarks. They both offer advice and techniques from CBT, DBT, mindfulness and various therapeutic modalities that you can implement into your daily routine.

Some of the things I am doing at the moment is trying to journal and use some of the techniques I've learned from these channels, as well as various articles on the internet to improve my way of thinking. I am also trying to do very simple things in small increments, so they all seem like small victories. The thing about small victories is they add up and even though I may not always feel it, I know rationally that I deserve to feel accomplished for the things I am doing to improve my mental health, and I write that down so I have proof on a piece of paper. Every time I feel hopeless, anxious, agitated I look back on the small things I do, and then journal some more. I found journaling is also a great way to work through some previous trauma. It is a slow process, but I think it's worth it in the long run, it has also helped me get through university. Other things I am trying to implement are meditating for just 10 minutes a day, doing a mild workout at home or taking walks, trying out some breathing or relaxation techniques and seeing what works best for me when I am overwhelmed.

And one more thing. I try not to resist the feelings I have. They always pass at one point or another. Feeling can sometimes be a very painful experience, but if you think about it, if you try to avoid or suppress them, just like trauma, they eat at you and fester. I hope you get something out of this post.

[LoveforAll41]

Hi icescreaming (another good username there), I started university at 18 and eventually dropped out due to anxiety and depression. I would say like the others have to keep shopping around and find a therapist you like. I don't know what cost is like where you are, but I would maybe consider working while you get your mental health all set and save and then go to uni if that is an option. Perhaps a tech/trade school. I ended up doing that and am now working towards a degree online while working full time.

I think that when our mental health is good we feel motivated and it gets much easier to do things. I like Dr David Burns work and his book "Feeling Great". I think that it is great that you realize you want to work on your mental health now before life really takes off. I think there is no shame in putting off uni, especially if getting your head right now means that you will be able to make it through vs. having to drop out.

I think there are online support groups you can join. You may be able to find a live one too if you are lucky. I wish you peace, hope, and strength.

[punkster]

I was talking with my coworkers about post- partum depression. Two of them had it after giving birth. They both said that creating a schedule and sticking to it helped them. Maybe you could do that with your studies. Set a timer, and work for that amount of time on one subject and then set the timer again, and so on and so on. As far as therapy goes, you mentioned that you see a psychiatrist. My experience with psychiatrists is that they are only interested in medication. My psychiatrist has 15 minute appointments, and doesn't have time to administer therapy. I have a psychologist who has 1 hour appointments who I see more often. I'm not sure if the differences between these professionals are the same where you live, but you should check into it.