Stress Center Peer Support

Hi,

I've recently be dubbed 'treatment resistant'. I'm not sure how many people have this issue but was curious to find out. I'm also not looking to hear about the program- I tried it multiple times it didn't work for me, so that's that. I'm trying to see if anyone has any advice that does not relate to the program.

Wanted to see if anyone might be in a similar situation. I've had years of therapy (with different styles/techniques), med trials, alternative therapies, etc. Based on my last meeting with my therapist I believe I need to either move on to someone new or quit all together. I feel like I need some sort of 'anxiety specialist' which is proving to be hard in my area. There are also financial concerns. I am currently on SS with no income or savings (had to use it all while waiting a year and half for the SS decision). The state kicked me off of their insurance cause I qualify for SS, yet with SS you have to wait 2 years before you can get Medicare. I've looked into private insurance plans but they are way too expensive and don't cover much.

During this time my family helped to support me as well. However, my dad doesn't understand this illness and has often put tons of guilt on me for the money I borrowed. This resulted in my anxiety being even worse. So as you can imagine I am cautious about the idea of borrowing more money. Things have gotten bad. I've been at this for almost 2 years with little to no results. Because I'm not responding to 'traditional therapies' I'm starting to wonder how I can get well again. I can't keep living like this. Yet I can't find anyone to help me. I've been labeled treatment resistant, although labels don't mean much to me.

I've explored low-income community options and have found some that are affordable (if not free through churches) however I am apprehensive to try because my issues are complex and severe. Like I said I've seen numerous Ph.D.'s (not that they are any better) and still nothing. So I don't know if it's worth my time to try services like these- I've had no experience with them, so I don't know how helpful they would be to such a severe case.

My parents are realizing this is not getting better. Without insurance and any income (I can barely eat on what SS gives me) they said they will do whatever it takes to make me better. Of course this is nice, but I am hesitant due to reasons listed above. I also don't know if they realize how expensive it will be seeing a regular Ph.D who charges $150 and up. Not to mention there is no guarantee that work- I mean it hasn't so far, so if it didn't I'd feel incredibly guilty throwing their money away like that. (I have guilt issues with the money/family stuff in case you don't know).

So here is where I need some advice:

1. Is it worth it to continue to seek therapy?
2. Would low-income therapy be good enough for a case this severe or a waste of time?
3. Would bitting the bullet and borrowing money from my parents to see some type of specialist (if I can find one) with anxiety disorders be of use despite any guilt issues I have and also calculating the risk that they might not even be able to help me, thus me feeling even more guilt for throwing away more of my parents money for no return?

Just not sure how to proceed here. I have to believe there is a way to get better- just don't know how to find it.

Thanks for reading.

Kelly, this IS the program's website. How are you going to get advice that's has nothing to do with the program?

1. Is it worth it to continue to seek therapy?
Yes, you can't give up knowing that you need help
2. Would low-income therapy be good enough for a case this severe or a waste of time? This was the case with the best therapist I ever had and she is still near and dear to my heart. Don't let low income bring a bad picture to light. Those therapists are all trained and ready to help you.
3. Would bitting the bullet and borrowing money from my parents to see some type of specialist (if I can find one) with anxiety disorders be of use despite any guilt issues I have and also calculating the risk that they might not even be able to help me, thus me feeling even more guilt for throwing away more of my parents money for no return?
Your parents want to help. The best way to repay them is to get encouraged, excited and hopeful that this is your miracle about to happen to change your life!

Originally posted by deedee00:
Kelly, this IS the program's website. How are you going to get advice that's has nothing to do with the program?

I figured there might be other people out there who might have similar problems. I assume people who have used the program have used other forms of treatment as well and might share what worked for them and didn't.

This board also attracts a lot of people who haven't used the program so I'd be curious to hear from them as well.

Originally posted by bevhembree:
1. Is it worth it to continue to seek therapy?
Yes, you can't give up knowing that you need help
2. Would low-income therapy be good enough for a case this severe or a waste of time? This was the case with the best therapist I ever had and she is still near and dear to my heart. Don't let low income bring a bad picture to light. Those therapists are all trained and ready to help you.
3. Would bitting the bullet and borrowing money from my parents to see some type of specialist (if I can find one) with anxiety disorders be of use despite any guilt issues I have and also calculating the risk that they might not even be able to help me, thus me feeling even more guilt for throwing away more of my parents money for no return?
Your parents want to help. The best way to repay them is to get encouraged, excited and hopeful that this is your miracle about to happen to change your life!

Thank you for your response. I really appreciate you sharing your experience with your therapist. I hope I can find someone as good as you!

In regards to my parents, I know they want to help but my dad has been out of work for years and they both have health problems and I think it would be too expensive to ask for help. I found an anxiety center near me, but it would cost about $600 a month to go. I know they can't afford that, or a basic psychologist's rate, so I think the low-income will be the way to go.

Thanks again!

Kelly. Say, they're using the program and therapy or whatever else, and you ask them for advice. And because they can't separate what they learned in therapy from what they learned from the program, they will have to give you some advice from the program. And because you said that you are "treatment resistant" whatever that is, their advice wont help you because it's from the program, and you have said that the program doesn't work for you.

Does that make any sense to you?

Kelly

I would like to say that you are worth it and to keep reaching out for treatment and help.

Keep searching, I don't believe that there is a one treatment fits all fix for this problem. I have found different things have helped me from different sources. Take what works for you and makes sense to you from different places.But most importantly don't EVER give up. There is help for us all.

Originally posted by deedee00:
Kelly. Say, they're using the program and therapy or whatever else, and you ask them for advice. And because they can't separate what they learned in therapy from what they learned from the program, they will have to give you some advice from the program. And because you said that you are "treatment resistant" whatever that is, their advice wont help you because it's from the program, and you have said that the program doesn't work for you.

Does that make any sense to you?

If you are not familiar with the term treatment resistant, I'm not sure why you responded to this post.

There is no harm in asking for feedback from people who may or may not have used the program. Regardless I was looking for opinions on what to do regarding treatment options. I don't see why that would be hard for someone like you to understand.

Originally posted by radarsmom:
Kelly

I would like to say that you are worth it and to keep reaching out for treatment and help.

Keep searching, I don't believe that there is a one treatment fits all fix for this problem. I have found different things have helped me from different sources. Take what works for you and makes sense to you from different places.But most importantly don't EVER give up. There is help for us all.

Thanks for your kind words. It's hard work but I will keep trying to find help. I agree with you that one treatment doesn't fix all- it is about finding multiple things that help.

Thanks again

Kelly

You are more than welcome. I know that I too am always grateful to find kindness and encouragement when I am struggling.

Don't worry though. Better days are coming your way.