Psychologist

[tmkd]

It seems that why I think I'm coping fairly well with my newly diagnosed Wegeners, I was thinking about going to see a psychologist because I have been having an influx of 'bad days' since being discharged from the hospital where I am quite down and I was hoping that by seeing a psychologist they would be able to give me tools to help cope better.

Have any of you ever seen a psychologist and did you find it helpful? Or did you do something else to help cope?

Cheers.

[NikkiNicole]

I don't have a 'psychologist' but I do take anti-depressants. Well, I'm supposed to but I kept forgetting to take them. I need them, for certain. Because I have a LOT of bad days!!!!!!

[COWG]

Hi Thomas,

My husband has had WG for 12 years, and we have 3 kids who have been raised with a Dad who has a lot of bad days. Since we knew no one with WG, we had to blaze the trail through the feeling down/depression days many times. Here are some things that have helped us, whether you find some crazy or not, this is what we did. And by the way, we have a lot less "down" days mentally, even through the physically more challenging days. Here are 10 tips.

1. Wegener's may change some things in your life, but there are still many normal things you can continue with.
2. Getting proper medical care is key. It pays to see the specialist who has treated this before. Ask them, "How many WG patients have you seen." Trust me, we have seen a few rhumies that were clueless, and led us down the wrong path!
3. Vitamins, exercise and enough sleep really do help.
4. Learn to roll with the punches, you may have a bad day and have to change plans. Try not to make it such a negative thing.
5. Do things for others, even in your sickness.
6. Learn to take help from others without feeling helpless, they want to help. Thank them, and sometime return the favor.
7. Speak encouraging things to yourself and family.
8. Laughter is a good medicine.
9. Find a good church for spiritual help, friendship and spiritual growth. ( We attend a United Pentecostal Church and they have been caring, amazing and loving.)
10. Take medicine on time like the Dr. says.
11. If you have a family, they go through this too. We try our best to run life as normal, but have our bad meltdowns too. Treat those you love with forgiveness and patience. We are in this together.
12. Continue to learn from otherrs( like on this forum) and learn about the treatments, meds etc...educate yourself.

Hope this helps! Hugs from Colorado!

[drz]

It seems that why I think I'm coping fairly well with my newly diagnosed Wegeners, I was thinking about going to see a psychologist because I have been having an influx of 'bad days' since being discharged from the hospital where I am quite down and I was hoping that by seeing a psychologist they would be able to give me tools to help cope better.

Have any of you ever seen a psychologist and did you find it helpful? Or did you do something else to help cope?

Cheers.

Yes, I found therapy with a psychologist helpful in coming to terms with my new normal. I also needed some psych meds initially when on the high dosages of pred. It helped with sleep and reduced the extreme moods initially. Depression and anxiety are pretty normal after diagnosis of Wegs and it takes a while to come to terms with your "new normal".

[Alysia]

Hi Thomas,
your pic with your baby is touching.
I am working as clinical psychologist, and I am also going to my psychologist twice a week. being anxious and depressed is adding stress and must be "evacuated" somewhere. sometimes being depressed makes it much tough to share.
I need my fixed and stable place to cry my tears, to tell my pains (the pains of the soul are more aching then the pains of the body), to be with someone who is totally attuned to me. It is a matter of mental survival.
being in this forum is also invaluable for me. I couldn't survive mentally and physically without the amazing weggie family here.
there are several orientations of psychologists. I reccomand you to go to one with psychoanalytic orientation, from the school of Winnicot.

[vdub]

Citalopram, lorazepam, and zolipidem, along with my other 16 drugs are just my new way of life.... No shrinks, tho.....

My bad days are mostly physical as opposed to mental. Some days I wake up and I'm in real pain for no apparent reason. Sometimes the pain lasts weeks and other times it only lasts a day.

Mentally, I'm pretty good as long a my testostrone and thyroid levels are where they are supposed to be. If my thyroid goes out of whack, then it's a seriously bad, bad time. Lots and lots of sleep is my best friend.

[COWG]

One other thing Thomas, with all that said.....if you feel like you need antidepressants, then do it. Never feel like a failure just because you needed phych or medical help during this time. We never went that route, but there is nothing wrong with that.
Love the pic of you and your child Stay well, for you and your family.
(Janet)

[tmkd]

Thanks for all the advice and tips everyone.
I'm going to get some referrals for a psychologist from some of my dr's and see how it goes.