Well.. What now?

So you've read the last few posts, have a suspicion you might have a mental illness or at the very least that "something is really wrong", and you've had a look at the websites mentioned. What now?

To some degree the first part of looking at websites is the easiest. You don't have to talk to anyone, go anywhere or do anything other than read (and maybe a quiz thing if you did some of those). The next step is a lot harder and if I could make this one easier I would. Part of the next step is acknowledging to yourself that something isn't right. In some cases this means going against everything you've tried to hide from people. The fear associated with facing even the slightest bit of what you've hidden can be debilitating in itself.

I would love to lie and say that it's a walk in the park, easy, nothing to it, but I can't do that. Facing yourself, facing the lie (because in most cases it IS a lie we live trying to pretend we're fine) is terrifying. The only way to get through it, that I've found, is to ask yourself; What is more frightening? Living a lie and feeling "wrong" or admitting it feels wrong and get some help?

It doesn't matter which of these two choices you make. Don't let anyone tell you you've "won" or "lost" by choosing one or the other. If you're aware there is help, yet think it's too scary to follow right now, that's okay! Maybe at another time you will not feel as scared and will want to talk to someone who can help.

***Please note: if you feel suicidal CALL SOMEONE. That option isn't okay because even though we might think it is, others don't think like us. Everyone is entitled to feel good and everyone is worthy of being helped.***

Okay okay so I've decided to get help. What now?:

Make an appointment to see your Social Worker, GP, Psychologist or Psychiatrist. In most cases it's either Social Worker or GP first as the psych's tend to come in a little bit later once it's confirmed you need that extra help to sort things out.

When going to your social worker:

• Tell your social worker, honestly, how you feel. If you have trouble saying it, perhaps writing them a letter that you can take with you.
• Let your social worker know that you have had a look at some mental health websites and that you find you can relate to the some (or all) of the material you've read.
• Ask your social worker for more information regarding mental illness, getting help. making appointments to see a psychologist or psychiatrist etc.

Social worker's are there to help you. A social worker is never there to judge you or tell you you're wrong. In some cases they may have already surmised that you are feeling "a bit wrong" and may already have some information ready for you. This doesn't mean they are evil or horrible or that they have judged you. It is their job to pay attention to you and therefore, it is important they let you realise some things in your own time. NB: Social worker's will usually only tell you (before you have come to the conclusion yourself) if you seem to be at risk of harming yourself or others.

So what do I do if I see my GP?:

• Tell your GP, honestly, how you feel. Yes, I am repeating this one for the GP too. It's an important step. If you can actually voice (or write) how you truly feel your GP has more to work with at determining if you have a mental illness or if it is something else.
• It is very important to let your GP know that you have looked at mental health websites and that you do feel you can relate to some (or all) of the material you've read.
• If you believe you should see a psychologist or psychiatrist as your GP for their referral of some good doctor's. This alerts your GP to what course YOU would like to take and they are better able to assist you in action.
• Your GP might prescribe medication for you. Medication can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks to begin to take effect so don't think you'll feel better right away. Because of the different types of medications that are available it is imperative you are as honest as you can be with your GP about how you feel. Tell your GP if you are having thoughts of self harm as some medications can make these thoughts more prominent.
• Don't be afraid to question your GP. This will generally go against our usual actions as we're more likely to accept rather than question. In this case however, push yourself to ask any questions you might have. Your GP should be more than happy to answer them.

This whole process of beginning the help phase, as I have come to call it, is really one of the hardest. It is okay if you find it takes you more than one appointment to fully explain how you feel. It is okay that you might not be able to make what you say coherent, it's new territory that you're experiencing and haven't got a practiced script on hand!
Most of all, it's okay to be scared about how you feel, feeling what you feel, asking for help, admitting that there's something wrong and that you're scared. Believe it or not these are all absolutely natural when anyone is confronted with something greater than them.

If you have a friend who you've been able to talk with (or kind of talk with), maybe you can ask them to take you to the appointment/s so you have support going there and someone to talk to afterwards. Not everyone wants people to accompany them and that is also fine.

The point I'm trying to make is that you need to do whatever is going to make you the most comfortable during the most uncomfortable time.

If you have any questions feel free to message me (or email renee@raznay.com ) and I'll try to do my best to answer them.

I'll cut this post short before I write too much!!

There will be many more posts to come this is not the end of the road! The journey only begins with a single step.

Cheers,

Raznay