Posted by Wittgenstein on April 3, 2007, at 19:52:57
Hi Everyone,
I've been browsing the boards for the last two weeks and have finally plucked up the courage/energy to join.
I'm from England and was in my final year at university until I took an overdose a few week's ago, in an attempt to end it all. Anyway, I've been diagnosed with severe depression and severe long standing social phobia (which explains a lot of the problems I have been having for years). I'm now taking a course of Citalopram (40mg) with the occasional Lorazepam. Since my home situation is very difficult (at uni I was living away from home) and my boyfriend lives in the Netherlands (yes it's complicated!) I have taken 'asylum' with him for the foreseeable future - after coming back home from uni, I did hold out with my parents for a week or so but being there made me feel extremely suicidal.
At the moment it feels like everything has stopped - just trying to get through each day as it comes - sleeping most of the time if I can. The idea of getting help here - psychotherapy (which was recommended by my 'pdoc' in England) is daunting because of the language and cultural differences - it will probably work out ok but I'm so nervous about entering a whole new system.
I had my first appt. today with the mental health service - they were very nice (although I hardly remember any of it thanks to the lorazepam!) - I know they are making another appointment for this week or early next but when I asked about therapy the psychologist said something like "well first you have to be 'stabilised' and then we will see what treatment is best". To be honest I didn't really understand what she meant - is this normal or perhaps just a misunderstanding in terms of language?
Does anyone have any experience like this (i.e. getting help in a foreign country)? If not, if there's anyone out there who, like me, is just coming to terms with a diagnosis and treatment prospects or is in the 'pre-treatment survival limbo', I'd love to hear your stories/thoughts - or those who are further down the line and might be able to share some insight into what's ahead.
I'm basically really scared right now - feels like my whole world has collapsed around me.
Hope you don't mind me posting this here as well as on the newbie forum.
Best wishes to all of you,
Wittgenstein
poster:Wittgenstein
thread:746649
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20070324/msgs/746649.html