Psychology Advice

[Silmarwen18]

Hey everyone,

Ive recently been re-diagnosed with depression linked to ongoing Anxiety Disorder and am off to see a psychologist soon. Im trying not to tell my employers anything as I want to keep it private but im concerned my psychologist will force me off work. Does anyone know if this happens? Like if I go see her and tell her that my horrible colleagues are my main issue is she going to enforce time away from work? As much as I hate the place the thought of loosing my job or being deemed any more of a freak makes me even more distressed... so much so I cant YAWN properly right now... what even?

Any advice would be appreciated

Much love, Silver

[aml0017]

I don't know how it is in Australia but I don't see how your psychologist would have the power to do such a thing. I don't think that would be legal, much less ethical. She is bound by doctor/patient confidentiality that should keep her from sharing any medical details without your permission. If you are taking time off work to see the therapist, all your employers need to know is that you have an appointment. If your employers require a doctor's excuse for time off, discuss with your therapist how this can be accommodated without breaking your privacy. Don't break off your appointment just because you are uncertain about this. If need be, call your therapist's office prior and tell them your concerns. They can reassure you about their privacy policies.

That being said...no therapist worth their salt would recommend you giving up a job just because of a few bad coworkers, unless your safety was threatened somehow. Every job has jerks, trust me I know. However, if most of your anxiety is coming from being around these people, you are giving them way too much power over you. Your therapist can maybe give some insight on how to deal with this and then go home and forget about them. In the case they really are insufferable jerks who can't be dealt with, then you always have other options. You are taking a good step by going to talk with someone, keep going forward and don't let your anxiety keep you stuck.

Best of luck to you!

[Nowuccas]

It's highly unlikely that you would be prevented from working if you told her about your fears.

An excellent book about cognitive behavioural therapy is "Feeling Good." The New Mood Therapy. Harper Collins.1999. ( updated sequel to his US bestseller about treating depression & anxiety; very comprehensive), by David D. Burns, M.D., from your bookstore, Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com

Your local library may have a copy, or the earlier "Feeling Good". In South Australia any book on the database of any S.A. public library is able to be borrowed; your state may have a similar arrangement in place.

My previous relevant posts are:

DEPRESSION: http://anxietyforum.net/forum/showthread.php?32707-has-this-happend-to-you&p=216510#post216510

GENERALISED ANXIETY DISORDER: http://anxietyforum.net/forum/showthread.php?33964-New-to-the-site-and-looking-for-help&p=223989#post223989

-----------------------------------
A previous post follows:

FEMALE DEPRESSION:
Take the quiz, at http://www.womentowomen.com/assessments/hormonalhealth/b/default.aspx and check out their info on depression. Also see http://www.typeofdepression.org/Cause-Of-Depression.htm

A number of books are shown *: I recommend the chapter by Dr. Hyla Cass - See: "NATURAL HEALING FOR DEPRESSION" - Stroehecker - * SEARCHBAR- WWW.AMAZON.COM
(largely about NATURAL HORMONES) provided the best overview of treatment for treatment of depression in females that I have encountered in decades. Books: Eight Weeks to Vibrant Health: A Take Charge Plan for Women to Correct Imbalances, Reclaim Energy and Restore Well-Being by Hyla Cass MD and Kathleen Barnes, & Natural Prescriptions for Women: What to Do-- And When to Do It-- To Solve More Than 100 Female Health Problems-- Without Drugs by Susan Berg and The Editors of Prevention Health Books, & Depression-Free, Naturally: 7 Weeks to Eliminating Anxiety, Despair, Fatigue, and Anger from Your Life (Paperback) by Joan Mathews Larson, & Healing Depression & Bipolar Disorder Without Drugs (Paperback) by Gracelyn Guyols, from your bookstore, or Amazon.com.

A sensible approach is to test for vitamin (optimising vitamin D3) and mineral deficiencies; correct, and ensure good levels of Omega 3 fatty acids. Stabilise hormonal levels; consult a naturopath. Learn, and employ coping methods. Perhaps it would be a good idea to have Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy, or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for up to 6 months, if you haven't had it, yet. If hormonal treatment is unavailable, or in the meantime, use the effective natural core treatments for depression at ** http://your-mental-health.8m.com/blank_27.html and view page B. If using a RECOMMENDED** brand of St. John's Wort (take with meals to avoid possible stomach upsets; check out the websites on St. John's Wort via page B and read the rest of that page), and if using UP TO 50mg of 5-htp daily in addition (or UP TO 200mg of 5-htp if NOT using the wort) take with a very low protein meal, to maximise the amount crossing the blood/brain barrier, with no, or extremely little protein 2 hrs before, to 2 hrs afterwards. Alternatively, take SAMe with the core treatments, but don't use anything else.

View http://curetogether.com/depression/ig/treatment-effectiveness-vs-popularity Should the above prove insufficient, (unlikely) after 3 - 6 months, you may have to look deeper at your life, and upbringing; see http://sfhelp.org/gwc/wounds.htm What is your reason for living; your aims, ambitions; what drives you? It has been said that: "the unexamined life is not worth living".