so, I had a nervous breakdown on Thursday night/Friday morning and was admitted to the hospital. I started seeing a Psychologist today and it was really helpful, but I am having a hard time opening up to the therapist; she is nice but I have trust issues. She has also set me up with a Psychiatrist to discuss possible Clinical Depression and medication; which means someone else to talk to.

Can anyone tell me if they've gone to therapy and if so, how they opened up to a stranger?

Any words would be helpful.... and it would also be nice to know that I'm not the only one who has deep enough issues to go see a shrink!

I hope you get better

sorry can't give you advice on that topic.

do hope you feel better

Therapy is great and you should persue it. Also, once you get on yr medication don't stop taking it, even if you feel that yr better. You'll crash and wind up in the hospital again...trustme. Keepin a journal helps too.

sometimes you have to trust people who want to get you better. if your going to a professional that is. i hope you give yourself a chance to recieve that help.we all need help at some point in life ther's no shame in it. good luck to you.

I'm insane in the membrane, insane in the brain!

A therepists job is to be objective.. They're not ganna' judge you, they're helping you to come up with solutions to your problems...no matter what they are.

I am sure that the psychologist explained to you that your therapy sessions are confidential! And they are unless you state with intent that you are going to harm yourself or another person.

A psychologist (like was already mentioned) will be impartial and non-judgemental. They are there to listen and provide suggests if necessary. They are there to guide to you have a healthy mental state. This is something you can even discuss with the psychologist, that you want to open up but still feel untrusting. And considering that this is your first session, you are going to feel a little uncomfortable. If this persists, don't feel bad to ask for another psychologist, if after 4-6 sessions you still don't feel comfortable with your current psychologist.

Now with the Psychiatrist, the doctor is going to be more concerned about your symptoms such as sleep, thoughts, emotions, etc. So it might help to write them down now. Or start a journal and right down your symptoms. So, not sleeping or sleeping too much, suicidal thoughts,or self-harm such as cutting.

I recommend you be as honest as possible with all of your symptoms so that they can fit you with the right treatment and medicine.

All of individuals getting treatment after a hospital admittance are afraid of being sent back. They will not send you back unless you are in crisis. So be upfront and honest about your symptoms.

Best of Luck!

oh! this is a great website for information... www.nami.org

well said...

That's what a social work internship in mental health will get ya!

thank you! you have no idea how much this helped! I didn't think about keeping a journal, but I will do it now. Just having the responses to my post has helped a little.

It's not easy, but as long as your open to getting help and try you should do fine. I hope you get better.

I am glad that anything I said could be useful to you! Best wishes!

In early 2007, I was admitted to a hospital for a medically induced manic episode, for a period of 12 days. In hospital, I was the one who discovered which med was causing the problem, and proved it by going partially non-med compliant. I don't recommend this ever to others, but I've been off all medications for almost a year now, and before starting up in 2005, spent most of my life meds free, but it doesn't mean I couldn't benefit from medications. Stress for most of us with mental disorders is probably the single largest trigger of a mental relapse, but how we handle stress too also is a factor, as well as how we see life in general.

I'd like to suggest that you think of it entirely as a clinical matter and leave your fears behind you. They can only help you if you're completely honest, and hipaa laws prohibit disclosure of any details you don't want others to know, including significant others. I'd also would like to suggest to you that with that mental illness you also have a gift, and through process of discovery will most certainly find it. I thought I met a dumb mentally ill person once. As it turns out, he was so heavily drugged he only seemed that way.

Wow! thanks! What you said really means the most so far!

it takes time... i was suicidal and diagnosed with clinical depression... refused medication, but agreed to talk to a therapist once to twice a week... and it takes time to open up... it was probably a good 4-5 months before i really felt comfortable opening up to her... and it REALLY helps to have an impartial person to talk about everything with...

i wish you the best! and just be patient... with the situation and with yourself... i've been out of therapy for about 2 years now... and i'm doing great... i hope it works as well for you too!

Yes I know what you are going through,I have suffered with depression my whole life,I have good days and bad,I used to see a therapist and It did help,you just have to be honest and open.I hope things get better for you