Better to see a therapist of psychiatrist?

ok_one_more_so

Hi....hoping this is the right place to post this but if not please feel free to move it. Basically I had been going through counselling for a while (maybe 18 months on and off) because I was feeling really down and lost. The counselling really helped and got me to a pretty good place.

At the time I was going through the counselling something came out during a heated row with my other half - I didn't say it out but it hit me like a ton of bricks - which would strongly suggest I was abused. Tried following up on these in counselling but just kept hitting a brick wall, it wasn't so much that I felt there was nothing there, just didn't know how to get to it, although my therapist definitely thought there was something there. Even now, about a year later, I feel there's things in my past which I need to get to, just don't know how, we tried hypnotherapy but I just couldn't relax enough. My therapist was going very slowly because I was so worried about false memories but I feel maybe we lost all momentum and I'm not going to counselling any more.

I kinda feel that unless I work out what these skeletons are (if they're anything at all) I'm never going to rest easy and I'm always going to be a bit of a mess. So basically my question is this, if I went to another therapist could they just focus on this or would I have to work up to it, or would I be better going to a psychiatrist who may be able to use drugs to get me past that block. It's not that I'm looking for an easy solution by asking about drugs (but would welcome one!!) just that I don't have the energy anymore to go through weeks and weeks of therapy, just feel so frustrated and all I want is to get to the truth

MysticalSoul

Personally, I would recommend a therapist over a psychiatrist, as psychiatrists focus mainly on the medication, and even those that do incorporate some talk therapy into their practice, it is minimal. I would suggest perhaps seeking out a therapist who specialises in abuse, but works in other areas too.

sam34

MysticalSoul wrote: »

Personally, I would recommend a therapist over a psychiatrist, as psychiatrists focus mainly on the medication, and even those that do incorporate some talk therapy into their practice, it is minimal. I would suggest perhaps seeking out a therapist who specialises in abuse, but works in other areas too.

psychiatrists treat mental illness, generally with drugs, but also with other psychosocial interventions.

what teh OP has described, a query that he/she may have been abused and wanting to deal with that, is not indicative of a mental illness.

OP, i would suggest you see a psychologist or psychotherapist rather than a psychiatrist, but make sure you see someone who is qualified and accredited, and not some quack who has done a weekend course.

MysticalSoul

sam34 wrote: »

psychiatrists treat mental illness, generally with drugs, but also with other psychosocial interventions.

what teh OP has described, a query that he/she may have been abused and wanting to deal with that, is not indicative of a mental illness.

OP, i would suggest you see a psychologist or psychotherapist rather than a psychiatrist, but make sure you see someone who is qualified and accredited, and not some quack who has done a weekend course.

I never said that the OP had a mental illness. He/she asked whether a psychiatrist or therapist is best, and I was giving my view point on that. As said to the OP I would suggest a therapist who has expertise in working with abuse.

Odysseus

ok_one_more_so wrote: »

Hi....hoping this is the right place to post this but if not please feel free to move it. Basically I had been going through counselling for a while (maybe 18 months on and off) because I was feeling really down and lost. The counselling really helped and got me to a pretty good place.

At the time I was going through the counselling something came out during a heated row with my other half - I didn't say it out but it hit me like a ton of bricks - which would strongly suggest I was abused. Tried following up on these in counselling but just kept hitting a brick wall, it wasn't so much that I felt there was nothing there, just didn't know how to get to it, although my therapist definitely thought there was something there. Even now, about a year later, I feel there's things in my past which I need to get to, just don't know how, we tried hypnotherapy but I just couldn't relax enough. My therapist was going very slowly because I was so worried about false memories but I feel maybe we lost all momentum and I'm not going to counselling any more.

I kinda feel that unless I work out what these skeletons are (if they're anything at all) I'm never going to rest easy and I'm always going to be a bit of a mess. So basically my question is this, if I went to another therapist could they just focus on this or would I have to work up to it, or would I be better going to a psychiatrist who may be able to use drugs to get me past that block. It's not that I'm looking for an easy solution by asking about drugs (but would welcome one!!) just that I don't have the energy anymore to go through weeks and weeks of therapy, just feel so frustrated and all I want is to get to the truth

All I can give you is my understanding of therapy, even therapists who have trained in the same school of psychotherapy will differ some what in their approach to a certain degree.

In my understanding you dictate the rate at which you therapy will proceed. I supply the structure the client provides the content. I'm not asking you to answer these questions here, but maybe you should ask why your therapy lost its momentum? What's stopping you from going back to the same therapist and starting afresh? As well as talking out your previous encounter.

Its difficult to say from your post, but if you where in therapy for 18 months it suggests that you have alot to talk about. Alot of people who I trained with stopped their therapy soon after they finished their Masters, my training analysis lasted over 5 five years and for alot of that time I was attending twice a week. I'm using that example merely to highlight the fact that some people may spend a significant time in therapy. With saying that I may go back into analysis again further down the road.

If you have alot to talk about it may take quite awhile, I say this as you state you don't want to go through "weeks and weeks" of therapy. All I can say is if you feel the issues that brought you to therapy in the first place are still causing you discomfort in your life, I would suggest you go back into therapy, and yes in this case merely based upon your post it sounds like a psychotherapist is the way to go.

Hope this helps and best of luck with it.

ok_one_more_so

probably a stupid question but what's the difference between a psychotherapist and a therapist (apart from the dictionary definitions)

sam34

MysticalSoul wrote: »

I never said that the OP had a mental illness. He/she asked whether a psychiatrist or therapist is best, and I was giving my view point on that. As said to the OP I would suggest a therapist who has expertise in working with abuse.

i know you didnt suggest the OP had a mental illness... i made my point because the OP stated they'd rather not go on drugs,and you replied that generally psychiatrists just use drugs - i thought the OP might infer from this that psychiatrists would be able to deal with their problem, albeit with meds, and i just wanted to point out that really they would be better off witha psychologist or psychotherapist.

MysticalSoul

sam34 wrote: »

i know you didnt suggest the OP had a mental illness... i made my point because the OP stated they'd rather not go on drugs,and you replied that generally psychiatrists just use drugs - i thought the OP might infer from this that psychiatrists would be able to deal with their problem, albeit with meds, and i just wanted to point out that really they would be better off witha psychologist or psychotherapist.

Ok. How it was phrased came across that you had thought I was suggesting the OP had a mental illness - care needs to be taken with the written word.

MysticalSoul

ok_one_more_so wrote: »

probably a stupid question but what's the difference between a psychotherapist and a therapist (apart from the dictionary definitions)

Pretty much the same, but many people who have done a counselling course, as opposed to counselling and psychotherapy, refer to themselves as such - is the new buzz word. A psychotherapist can either be a psychologist or someone who has undertaken a course in counselling and psychotherapy.

Odysseus

ok_one_more_so wrote: »

probably a stupid question but what's the difference between a psychotherapist and a therapist (apart from the dictionary definitions)

A psychiatrist is a medic, they trained as a doctor then specialised in psychiatry. As well as prescribing meds they may also use some form of talking therapy. I know a few who have quite a serious interest and training in psychotherapy as well as some who have a minimum training in it. A psychiatrist will be experienced in treating the whole range of mental disorders.

The are as many different types of psychotherapists as you have digits on your body, their training may range from diploma level to doctorate level. Then you have clinical psychologists and counselling psychologists who would have a significant training. One clear example of the difference would be I have some people with serious mental health issues in therapy, however, if their symptoms are quite serious there is little I can offer them. They will need a range of interventions that go outside the scope of therapy and for starters they will probably need meds which the psychitrist will take care of. In my day job I am clinically responsible to my boss another therapist, but also a consultant psychiatrist who oversees the service we provide, not just for my role but also the medics who I work with.

Hope that answers your in some way.

sam34

MysticalSoul wrote: »

Ok. How it was phrased came across that you had thought I was suggesting the OP had a mental illness - care needs to be taken with the written word.

my fault, sorry. it made sense in my head!

Odysseus

Sorry mate I misread your question I thought you said psychiatrist:o

ok_one_more_so

Thanks guys.

Without actually looking for medical advice, if you heard of a patient who was unable to be hypnotised because they couldn't let themselves relax would you reckon it's down the the individual or the skills of the therapist? I know some people will give the whole "a poor workman..." and all that but if there's people for whom hypnosis just doesn't work (and I fear I might be one) then there may be little point in me going back to that therapist. I know the obvious question is why I'm focusing on hypnosis so much but it's just because my mind just shuts down when I try and think back (speech goes, can't concentrate etc.) so I was hoping to find some way to bypass it. I'm normally the type of person who's 100% against drugs (even Panadol!) but I would make an exception in this case if I thought it would work.

Odysseus

I know little of hypnosis, only studied a small part of it. One of the reasons Freud move to a takling therapy was because he felt he was no good at hypnosis. So to answer your question in a general sense, it is my understanding that some people are not open to being hypnotised. However, it is my belief that hypnotherapy borders on quackery.

The standards of training in Ireland are very poor once again merely my opinion, but for anything more serious than stopping smoking or trying to increase motivation I think its not an opinion. I would not be happy about a member of my family seeing one. They appear to offer quick solutions to complex problems and I just don't buy that. Merely my opinion of course.

Though maybe I'm wrong about the quick fix if you where in hypnotherapy for 18 months,

Odysseus

If you think you need meds you should speak to your GP.

ok_one_more_so

Odysseus wrote: »

Though maybe I'm wrong about the quick fix if you where in hypnotherapy for 18 months,

The hypnotherapy was nearer the end and to be honest I didn't find it much use

Odysseus wrote: »

If you think you need meds you should speak to your GP.

I was only considering meds if it meant they could help me break through the block I was having and not as any sort of day-to-day or long-term thing

Odysseus

I am trying to be care here as I'm sure neither of us wish to break the rules. However, I can't really think of any med that may help someone in your position.

Therapy as I understand is about language, its about speaking whatever is going through your mind, sometimes people will get stuck, there will be silences its part of the process. However, a person generally does not go blank there is always something in ones mind, even if that is I don't know what to say.

Just keep talking and it will lead you to what is important. With saying that you I'm not minimising your difficultly.