Finding goth-friendly mental health professionals?

[BlacKat]

I have had pretty terrible luck with mental health professionals being able to handle us gothy types without freaking out. So I was wondering if any of you have any tips on finding fairly safe people to see.

[Acharis]

Tbh it might be easier to start looking for a good professional full stop, as finding someone compassionate that you mesh with can be quite a job.

Don't worry about your interests and appearances, set them aside as much as you can and focus hard on what brought you there. Ignorant comments about "music making you more depressed" might happen but hopefully not.

If I'm going to a doctor of any kind I usually feel like arse so I'll be in a black tracksuit with no makeup and my hair tied back.

[Anise]

Ah yes I hear you, do I ever o.O
I'm with Acharis on this, that's the route I took.
Here in Ireland MH services are dire, long waiting lists and a patient is allocated a therapist .. you like it, or lump it. I always attended 'toned down'. In black lol of course, but attempting to wear a uniform of normalcy or compliance?

If you have the opportunity to select your own therapist then follow your needs.
Also, remember that if you ever need an ear .. I'm here <3

[Stormbringer]

It's very important to distinguish between psychologists and psychiatrists - the latter are closer to being real doctors than the former. They can prescribe medication where psychologists can't. Here in Australia we have a whole range of mental health counsellors and 'nurses' who treat you in conjunction with a psychiatrist. They may meet up for a chat or talk to you over the phone. At the end of the day you should always consult your GP before you move on to any specialist. And, as Anise said, we are always here whenever you need an ear.

[BlacKat]

I'm mostly looking for someone who can prescribe and manage meds, without overmedicalizing issues. And can manage the fact that I react strangely to a lot of meds (antidepressants tend to make me suicidal, for example).

[Anise]

Isn't that crippling
It seems that several AD meds have that unfortunate side effect.
Similarly some meds prescribed for anxiety & panic disorders heighten.
A rough ride trialing meds that often exasperate; I had to try several before I luckily found something that sat well. It sucks, it is in itself a kind of 'depressing' up and down journey, so often I thought 'fuuuck this' o.O

But .. life's settled now, dare I say it? I'm happy ... content?
On an even keel. Personally, I did that without the hand of a therapist.
I've had psychiatrists and psychologists since my early 20's, counselling, psych nurses .. I always ended up falling short and running away. People aargh ~~

So find a someone that you can work with, don't lose heart with reg to meds; they'll work it out and find you a combo and dosage that suits Often the the thought of getting better is daunting to folks like us? We almost fear the newness of that; get used to being this way for so long or worry that IF we get better then that may not last and we're leaving ourselves open to falling down.

I like the saying 'Fall down 7, stand up 8' .. we get back up!
And .. we are that little bit more resilient, stronger each time.
As a friend, I'd suggest that in conjunction with seeking an apt doc, it might be beneficial to join a MH forum, or indeed scope if there's a meet-up group?

Those who experience it, they know and understand, they walk that path.
Personally, I've found them to be the most beneficial <3

Be good to yourself, comfort yourself; and know that you aren't alone (x)

[BlacKat]

Honestly the bigger problem for me is holding down a job. My reactions to medications are unpredictable, and I end up with debilitating side effects more often than not. I need to stay stable enough to work, and trying out a new medication has a much higher chance of seriously destabilizing me than it does of making me better.

[Acharis]

Yeah.. that's a bitch.

It's worth asking your gp or any psych you get about a blood test that checks your liver enzymes. It's a bit expensive though.

I'm trying to find a link. There's this, but it wasn't a cheek swab? And it wasn't subsidized? Anyway. Liver enzymes and effectiveness.