Mental Health Doctors

[jodigirl750]

Hi Guys! I am finally finished with my work position and fully retired now. Well, I don't work any more without any retirement benefits, haha! I am catching up on years and months worth of paperwork, referrals, etc.

My neurologist has been trying to refer me to a psychologist or something for years! But I can't get my act together for myriad of reasons to make the appointment. Do any of you see someone? Do you go to psychologist, social worker, or what? I get so overwhelmed which is why I probably never get around to finding anyone. Just adds to my anxiety! And you guys no full well what is next!

Thanks in advance!

Jodi

[rjoneslaw]

I was thinking about it. At outpatient rehab they would ask did u see the social worker?

Then I read an article about neuropsychological evaluations so I guess it time for me to suck it up and go.

I just need to know what do I talk about? I'm not someone whose all up in their feeling nor am I an emotional person.

Plus I come from a family that does emotional blackmail so when they're mad at you and they want to hurt you they throw something you said back at you. So at a young age I learned to keep it to yourself and deal with it.

As a young kid I was sent to talk to a social worker and I didn't see the point and because of that I was bored I ended up playing mind games and challenged the person to the point that I had to meet with the head director who was a licensed psychologist but I eventually figured how to get into his head and was told not to come back.

I was that child that would mentally challenge you. I needed to know what made you tick and once I figured it out I was bored and moved on.

[jimeka]

Well, do I congratulate you on retirement? Is it something that you want? I hope that you get sorted with a psychologist if that is what you want. Meanwhile enjoy this retirement and make the most of it, Blessings Jimeka 🦋

[rjoneslaw in reply to jimeka]

thanks so far I'm lost because I was busy doing something with the law it was my job and in a sense my hobby.

[jimeka in reply to rjoneslaw]

What kind of law did you study?

[rjoneslaw in reply to jimeka]

I did research for attorneys that asked and I would edit their briefs, probate (which included wills, estate, trust, and guardianship), bankruptcy, adult adoption, real estate, mediation and arbitration for the courts, and I was on a panel that would discipline attorneys.

I was also on a committee to investigate people who wanted to become a judge or retain their position on the bench.

I was also a board member for one of the bar association and I would run events that provided estate planning docs for first responders.

[jimeka in reply to rjoneslaw]

I am sorry that you had to give up such a promising career, you obviously put a lot of hard work into getting to where you were. 🤗

[jodigirl750 in reply to jimeka]

No, it was a part-time job that was more full time... Very long story... A lot of the full time aspect was me. I had to learn the hard way MS has taken away my ability to use my degree'd profession of accounting. Sad, but I'm learning to deal with it. I would be happy to be home and relax, but I have fractured a hip with no accident. Hello Osteoporosis at 53 years young! Thank you Steroids!

[jodigirl750 in reply to jimeka]

I am happy to be home to relax more. I did not want to quit working but it was necessary. The MS has messed with my ability to do accounting work... I am now helping my hubby with his woodworking business. But first I have years of paperwork and referrals to sort out. I am currently in a wheelchair/using a cane bc I fractured my hip. Thanks to LT steroid use they think I now have Osteoporosis. 53 years to young for this... So once this hurdle is over, I will enjoy retirement!! Always something to keep you on your toes!!

[Weldon60]

You can see a psychologist, counselor, social worker, or marriage and therapist. Each have their strong points. If you don't have insurance coverage, you might go to a community mental health center. Mental health centers usually pick who you see, you don't. I have been a therapist in a couple of mental health centers and have found that most therapists really care for their clients. My family has gone to a marriage and family therapist. They can work well with individuals, couples, and families.

[jodigirl750]

Thank you Weldon60. I found my answer on my Neurologists referral... DUH!!! He wants me to see a neuropsychologist. So I will be starting there! He's only given me this referral 3 times!!! I'm a slow learner, haha!!! Or is it really denial, too busy, blah, blah, blah!!!

[pamgarner]

I really fight depression and emotional kaos, my neuro wanted to send me to talk therapy,haven't gone yet but he added most people do benefit from it and we all could use talk therapy , he says including himself.

[jodigirl750 in reply to pamgarner]

I agree. It's just another appointment to keep up with. I can fix it myself, right!?!? Wrong. I'm biting the bullet and making my appointment today!!

[mrsmike9]

I had a neuropsyche evaluation. It was really interesting. It tests a lot of things from memory, comprehension and fine motor skills. If some parts are good, fine. It will give them a baseline to go from. I found it quite interesting!

[rjoneslaw in reply to mrsmike9]

did ur neuro do the test?

[mrsmike9 in reply to rjoneslaw]

Yes I did.

[jodigirl750 in reply to mrsmike9]

Interesting... I would be interested to see how mine would result. I could really tell when I tried to go back to work in accounting. I was definitely challenged at some points. Hard to explain how, it was just overwhelming at times. Anyway, my neuro gave me a referral for neuro psychology. I called to make the appointment with that department the other day, but they said I need to go to psychiatry. But of course I will have to get the referral changed... And so we go again on the gerbil cage. I just want to be normal again!

[mrsmike9 in reply to jodigirl750]

I don't know if any of us will be our old normal. We have to be creative with our new normal.

[jodigirl750 in reply to mrsmike9]

So very true! Sad but true!!!

[mrsmike9 in reply to jodigirl750]

It doesn't have to be sad. It depends on what you do with it. Sometimes you can discover things about yourself you didn't know. Creativity or something.

[jodigirl750 in reply to mrsmike9]

I really, really try to stay positive. I think for the most part I am! I am on Cymbalta for many reasons but I hate taking meds for depression. However, when I try to take myself off (slowly with doc assistance) I become a mess. Seems strange bc I don't remember being this way. All said, I am looking forward to a new beginning of being home to helps hubby with our woodworking business! No more accounting jobs in the office. Again, sad, but a new beginning!

[mrsmike9 in reply to jodigirl750]

I am also on Cymbalta. It was changed to that because my toes were painful and this also helps with that. I've been on various meds for depression for way longer than I was diagnosed with MS. It's a chemical imbalance that runs along my mom's side of the family. I will never even try to stop taking the meds because I hate how I feel when I don't take it. I figure it's just like taking MS meds. it helps so why stop???