1. Go to a mental health professional and talk about
what's going on. Do so for several months.
My wife and I were talking about this last night. (She's a researcher in a field of psychology.) It is common to see lists like this that start with "get help", but it's incredibly hard to actually do it:* Insurance may or may not cover it. * Someone who has never been to a MH professional has no idea what to expect or what they need. * MH professionals are generally not good at explaining where to start. Resources are few and far between. * Most MH professionals are specialized in ways a novice doesn't understand. * Most MH professionals don't have good websites or don't return phone calls. * MH has a stigma, so a) you're unlikely to know if your friends see someone or b) be willing to ask for a referral. * MH degrees and credentials are confusing: MSC, MMFT, MSW, MAPC, PhD, MD, LMHC/LCMHC/CMHC, RN, LPCC/LPC/LCPC, etc. * Medication, if you want to explore that route, is a completely different discipline (psychiatry) and never the twain shall meet. * Counseling is incredibly dependent on connecting with your MH professional. So if you manage to navigate the above and get an appointment, but don't feel like you can open up, you have to start all over. Don't get me wrong: you should go to a MH professional and talk about what's going on. Keep pushing until you find someone you like. |