Seeking mental help but too afraid?

Some of you have seen my earlier posts about my difficulty of accepting my alopecia. Now I have other personal problems that are really hard for me to deal with, and I've noticed that I am not feeling well mentally. Years ago, I used to seek therapy from counselors whom I did not like vey much.

Now that I have alopecia and personal problems, I slipped back into depression and it is manifesting itself in physical symptoms. I feel I am about to cry or break down ANY minute now. This depression is getting worse and I am thinking of seeing my family doctor for a referral for a psychologist/psychiatrist. But what is stopping me from getting mental help is that the doctor or psychologist might not care and will give me "so what it's just hair" attitude. I have a hearing disability from which my personal hardships stem. So these might not be a psychologist's typical problems....help? I also realize that I am having unhealthy daydreams (from my childhood problem) that are beginning to blur the difference between reality and fantasy for me.

Please share advice. I'd really appreciate it.

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Permalink Reply by Kirsten on August 2, 2013 at 2:28am
A general doctor may give you the 'so what it's only hair' attitude - some of them can be really callous about everything - but a professional psychologist or therapist wouldn't be like that. It sounds like you really know what you need and seeking help is the first step to healing so do it.
Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on August 4, 2013 at 3:41pm

Hi

Do you have a General Practitioner (Doctor) that knows your history? If not I would try and start a relationship with a General doctor...if there is unsympathetic responses - find another doctor. You are understanding that you need support, please seek it.

Good luck with everything.

Rosy

Permalink Reply by Lilac on August 5, 2013 at 1:21am
Thank you for your answers. I need your suggestions on this: I found a psychologist who offers free counselling service on the nearby university campus, but I absolutely have no idea if s/he is good. On tje other hand, I can go to my family doctor who's okayish but if I do switch the doctor to another one and build a good rapport, time will be running out fast for a referral to a psychologist.

I am starting university in one month and I am hoping I will get help before that time, but the possibility seem to be very unlikely. I think if I don't get help, I might not be ready to even start the first day. I don't know what to do.
Permalink Reply by Tallgirl on August 26, 2013 at 10:08pm

I found, when I had alopecia in college, that I got a lot out of taking an assertiveness group ongoing session (through the student health center) and changing my major to the counseling field, where everyone was sensitive and caring.

Permalink Reply by Amelia33 on August 6, 2013 at 4:30pm
I have seen a psychologist for years, and to be honest, it's the highlight of my week a lot of times, and it has helped greatly, I go for reasons other than my AA, but seriously, when you find the right one, you will start to feel much better about the world and yourself.
Permalink Reply by Tovah on August 11, 2013 at 6:44pm

You absolutely need to find someone to talk to.

Depression can be very scary and the right psychiatrist or psychologist can make a wondedrful difference.

Just remember: There are good therapists and bad therapists. Keep going until you find one you like and that understands your issues.

Like me, you have alot of issues. It took awhile but I finally found what worked for me and I wish the same for you.

Permalink Reply by Rob on August 11, 2013 at 9:19pm

I joined this site to tell everybody how I cured my AA. I am not here as a psychological support group person. I cured it. It took a lot of research and thinking outside the box. Look at the bottom of my home page by clicking on my avatar picture and look below my profile. Iodine(best in the form of kelp at 100% or slightly more but not too much and biotin and I went from nearly bald for a year to hair everywhere in just a few weeks. I have helped two other people with patchy bald spots to recover.

Permalink Reply by Kim on August 12, 2013 at 7:56am

You DEFINATELY need to go and speak to a psychologist/therapist. What we are going through is compared to the grieving process and you cant do this alone. Depression is common with this disease, especially for women. No professional therapist will just give you "so what it's just hair" attitude." You will receive empathy, care and compassion, a listening non-judgemental ear. I have been going to therapy for 7 months, for Alopecia and other personal problems. That and my discovery of this website has been my saving grace! I am finally starting to accept my disease -a hurdle I never thought id be able to get over. Get help for your problems now, dont wait. Life is too short and we all deserve HAPPINESS. Stay strong. We are here if you need to talk.

Permalink Reply by Epo on August 16, 2013 at 10:16pm

I can relate to you. I went through an unrelated to alopecia depression episode in 2009-2010, and had to keep trying therapists until I found the right one (she is still my therapist to this day). I think, even if alopecia wasn't your problem, seeing a tehrapist would be beneficial because their job is to help us cope/deal/learn how to overcome our struggles/etc. So I totally think this is a typical problem for a psychologist.

If your therapist gives you an attitude, or lessens your pain about alopecia, you need to find a new one. That kind of treatment is unacceptable, because you feel the pain, sadness, anger, confusion and those are things therapists deal with.

And it's not just hair. It's what the hair means. For me, I feel like a part of me is literally dying with every hair that I lose. So my therapist helps me with those extreme feelings. Like someone else said, for some like me, it is a mourning process. Therapists help those who grieve after a loss, and this is a personal loss for some people.

Just remember that you should never take someone deamning the way you feel. It's not like we choose to feel sad or hopeless - that is why we want to get help, so we can get out from our despair and find ways to get back to postive thinking and a normal, happy life.

Permalink Reply by Lilac on August 26, 2013 at 5:33pm
Wow, thank you so much for your help! I'm going to find a psychologist once I start school (I can receive free mental health services) and I'm hoping it works out well. Right now, as I am typing this up, I feel as if I am going to have a breakdown right now because I am accepting the reality that I need mental help and that I might cry uncontrollably in my first appointment. Help?
Permalink Reply by Turtlduv on August 26, 2013 at 6:15pm

Crying is a release...let it out. Blessing snd Love to you.

Permalink Reply by Mary Anne on October 2, 2013 at 4:58pm

Mariam - Hi! I just recently joined this site. I have dealt with Alopecia for 15 years, as well as anxiety and depression. I read your post and wanted to follow up to see if you were able to get some counseling thru school?
I hope things are going better for you and you found help, but please let me know if you still need someone to talk to about the above.
Take care! Mary Anne :-)

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