I'm so tired of poor quality mental health services

[Ennui.]

Not looking for advice, just a rant, though feedback always appreciated.

I've been doing group therapy for a while, but there is a high turnover rate. Between the fact that the group I was in was going in-person and the fact that the clinician was leaving, I decided I'd try a new group. The group that I was in wasn't that great because all we did was check-ins and by the time that was over there would be no time do do anything substantial.

So, I tried a new group today and that was a fiasco. I forgot that I was supposed to start next week and not this week and the receptionist wasn't going to let me in. She said to contact the clinician about next week and transportation issues. I left in tears because I spent money I didn't have on an Uber and called the clinician to leave a message about transportation, and she thankfully let me join the group today. I'm a little more hopeful about this one.

The clinician is also going to help me with Medicaid transportation, a company named Veyo. I have low self-efficacy with public transit and got on the wrong bus when I tried, so she said there's a way for me to get an override because of my mental health.

My therapist isn't that great either, I don't think, but I've given up on finding a new one because quality Medicaid providers are hard to come by, so I'll stick with her and maybe it'll improve. She didn't think I had BPD because I don't present as a classic case, so I sent her a PsychologyToday article on how people like me can present and she's doing more research. In the past, she also said she doesn't think I have PTSD because I don't do things like jump when people come up behind me. I haven't been diagnosed yet, but my trauma was not physical. Thankfully my prescriber sent me a screener for PTSD that I have to complete. My therapist is also wondering if I have ADHD but my prescriber thinks it's actually symptoms caused by a mix of my other mental illnesses.

I do like my prescriber because she admitted I'm sometimes a little bit more complex and that she wants to do research before she considers prescribing me anything for focus and concentration. She's worried that stimulants will cause mania, and those are the normal treatments. So she's looking into whether giving me anything would do more harm than good. She's the one quality provider I've had.

I hate how poor the mental health sector is.

The mental health sector really does suck.

I can very much relate; and don't understand why there are so many turnovers with therapists and psychiatrists.

[Dawn.]

Hi there Dez,

I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. I can't imagine how frustrating it must be for you to have to deal with all of this. If you ever need to talk, I'm always here for you.

[Arabesque- golfing girl.]

Hello Dez,

I am so sorry that you are having a hard time with this right now and I hope that you will be okay soon.

When we are having a hard time with something and we are looking for help it can be hard when we find someone to talk to and a group to help us and it is not very good and we are not able to get the help that we are looking for. It makes us feel upset and I'm sorry that is happening.

Would you be able to try calling your doctors office and talking to them about all of this and then ask them if they know other people who are able to help you out with this and hopefully they can do a better job than who you have now. They may be able to give you someone to help you who is really good and then they will be able to help you out with this. When you are having a hard time with this try to find something to help you get your mind off of this for a while so that it is not getting to you. Going for a walk or listening to music or watching movies or TV shows or playing a game or calling a friend or family member or something else that you enjoy doing. I hope that you will be okay soon and you are able to find others who can help you out with this.

[Everglow.]

I'm sorry you've had to deal with this. I can't imagine how frustrating it must be when the system is meant to be there to help, but you're constantly battling hurdles along the way. I hope that the few good ones you have in your network will help you through the harder stuff.