I'm finally on the waiting list to get a therapist

[fixitinpost]

But the expected waiting time is around 1.5 years, and I think I need alternative ideas.

How are you getting therapy - through public healthcare, through work or school, or something else?

 

[drwt]

1.5 years?? That's ridiculous. Where are you living?

 

[sadworld]

Lol what? It only took a week for me to get an appointment... maybe try another therapist?

 

[fixitinpost]

1.5 years?? That's ridiculous. Where are you living?

Sweden. This is via the public healthcare.

Lol what? It only took a week for me to get an appointment... maybe try another therapist?

That's the plan now, but I have to go private without insurance for that. I've basically been trying to get this estimate out of the public healthcare system since this summer (well, it took several months and a suicide attempt just to get them to pay attention). And now that I have it, I don't see what the point even was. It is indeed ridiculous.

Depending on where you're from, maybe this works the same in your country but... private health insurance generally isn't something Swedish people have, because the tax-funded public health insurance is supposed to have you covered. And as long as you don't require specialist care, it works perfectly fine. Even in the one case I've required specialist care for a physical condition (my inner ear), it worked OK. They had to refer me to a private clinic for MRI, but referrals are covered by the public insurance as well (the public system has deals with certain clinics I believe).

Anything to do with mental health though... utter shambles. Upon learning that it would take years until I could see a therapist, I asked if they could refer me to a private clinic. It wasn't something they could do. Or maybe would do, I don't know. Just wished they'd been more up front about everything. This whole exercise, all the evaluations, promises, etc. was just a complete waste of time.

 

[mahakaliSS_MahaDurga]

But the expected waiting time is around 1.5 years, and I think I need alternative ideas.

How are you getting therapy - through public healthcare, through work or school, or something else?

I got 3 months of waiting.

 

[NodusTollens]

Here's hoping you can find something that works for you. =]

I'm from a different country with universal health care & I had to wait 2 years. So I can empathize with your feelings towards the long wait, hearing that can be devastating.

 

[ScaredGirl]

uk here and i've been waiting 4 years for the NHS to start offering adult therapy. its so tough but the road to progess can be hopeful <3 i hope you get your therapy and that it gives you all the tools you need. bless you dear <3

 

[Weary Soul]

Therapist in the US seem to grow on trees.

There is little to no waiting time (~1 week or less if the therapist is taking new patients).

However, finding a good therapist, IMO, is rare here.

One option you may have (and I am not sure that this is viable where you live - is a therapist through video conferencing; however, this may be costly.

I am pretty cynical and am not a fan of therapists; however, I have known people who have really benefited by them.

The wait time that you are facing, IMO, is appalling and borders on negligence.

Much love to you and I hope that you can get help sooner rather than later.

<3

 

[Sherri]

My GP refereed me to a psychiatrist, took one month to be called for an appointment. In the past I've spend quite a lot of money on private doctors that did nothing, instead I actually think they did worse, by prescribing things that didn't match my symptoms. Now through the public sector I did find it more helpful and I save a lot of money, wish you good luck on your recovery. Hugs

 

[moonchild]

Sweden. This is via the public healthcare.

I'm also in Sweden, and I truly can't wrap my head around how it can differ so much. I went to my GP in June, had my first appointment with a specialist in August and started seeing a psychologist in October. I hadn't even attempted or anything, just told my GP that I had planned for it.

I'm sorry you have to go through this, and I hope things work out for you. I would honestly also consider seeing someone else, get a second opinion I guess. I might be wrong, but I don't think they're unable to speed it along, just that they're prioritising. And that it depends a lot on which GP you see, and how well they write referrals.

 

[Sensei]

I'm also in Sweden, and I truly can't wrap my head around how it can differ so much. I went to my GP in June, had my first appointment with a specialist in August and started seeing a psychologist in October. I hadn't even attempted or anything, just told my GP that I had planned for it.

I'm from Sweden too and I've never heard of such a long waiting time. A few months seem to be the norm.

 

[moonchild]

I'm from Sweden too and I've never heard of such a long waiting time. A few months seem to be the norm.

I've heard about it before, even if I've never personally known anyone who's had that experience. But the adult mental health care is somewhat uncharted territory for me, so I'm really not an expert.

 

[fixitinpost]

I'm also in Sweden, and I truly can't wrap my head around how it can differ so much. I went to my GP in June, had my first appointment with a specialist in August and started seeing a psychologist in October. I hadn't even attempted or anything, just told my GP that I had planned for it.

I'm sorry you have to go through this, and I hope things work out for you. I would honestly also consider seeing someone else, get a second opinion I guess. I might be wrong, but I don't think they're unable to speed it along, just that they're prioritising. And that it depends a lot on which GP you see, and how well they write referrals.

I'm from Sweden too and I've never heard of such a long waiting time. A few months seem to be the norm

I'm really glad that the situation is better elsewhere. I've gone private now. The doctor and nurse situation is also not that good, since you hardly ever get to see the same doctor twice because I think they're all temps. And I've been shuffled around nurses too, so no one ever knows me outside of what they have on file.

I had a doctor's appointment collide with a booked therapist appointment yesterday, so I opted to cancel the doctor's appointment because the therapist is fully booked for months. About an hour ago, one of the nurses called and told me off for cancelling the appointment because they are short on doctors and she couldn't guarantee I'd get a new time soon and so on. I know she didn't mean any harm, but if she knew who and where I was right now maybe she wouldn't have said the things she did in the way she did. I've been sitting here at work crying ever since. I feel extremely guilty about the fact that I can barely keep my life together anymore. I'm trying my best.

I was having a great start to the day. For once, I didn't wake up with suicidal thoughts. I had this energy that told me today was going to going to be a good one where I'd get stuff done. So I went to the office, greeted all my colleagues, was having all these thoughts about what I was gonna do today. Now all that energy is gone, because I picked up the phone. I hate being like this.

PS. Thanks for all the nice comments :)