Venting There's no hope for people like us

[Nikki_Music]

I have been in an out of therapy for the last 15 years. I have done individual therapy, group therapy, IOP, I have been hospitalized - I have tried so many things.

Recently it got worse so I've been seeking therapists out. None of them are capable of helping me and consistently refer me to an IOP program. All IOP programs require group therapy, the latest which was 9 hours a week. I have been in so many types of group therapy settings - some with as little as one other person, the latest having 20 people. There have been no age gaps, and age gaps as significant as 30 years. There have been groups of people with similar issues, and people who are so far removed from the challenges I experience that they may as well live in a different world. I have been in sessions that last as long as 9 months. They don't fucking work and yet it's the only option. None of these places will let me do individual therapy.

There is, seemingly, not a single therapist out there who is capable of doing individual therapy sessions for people who are suicidal. It just doesn't exist. I want help, but there's no one capable of giving it. There's no hope for people like us.

 

[Leiot]

Where are you? In the US group therapy is cheaper than individual so insurance companies like to push that. Can't anyone in those groups point you towards someone? There are also some online therapists; maybe they might be an option.

Why do you think groups wouldn't work and individual therapy would? Have you had problems in groups other than what you mentioned above? What have the group leaders (or whatever they're called) said?

It's ironic - I go to the VA here in the US and I have to fight to not be assigned an individual therapist. I've learned so much in groups but that was back when the VA had bipolar groups. Now it's just general stuff like CBT and that sort of thing. I miss my bipolar groups. I don't want an individual therapist.

I hope you can find someone.

 

[Nikki_Music]

Where are you? In the US group therapy is cheaper than individual so insurance companies like to push that. Can't anyone in those groups point you towards someone? There are also some online therapists; maybe they might be an option.

Why do you think groups wouldn't work and individual therapy would? Have you had problems in groups other than what you mentioned above? What have the group leaders (or whatever they're called) said?

It's ironic - I go to the VA here in the US and I have to fight to not be assigned an individual therapist. I've learned so much in groups but that was back when the VA had bipolar groups. Now it's just general stuff like CBT and that sort of thing. I miss my bipolar groups. I don't want an individual therapist.

I hope you can find someone.

I'm in the US. I've tried group so many times and no matter who's there, how many people, what age they are, what problems they deal with, it's impossible for me to feel comfortable discussing anything. I also just prefer one-on-one - I have respect for people who enjoy group therapy and get something out of it and want to seek help, but I'm genuinely not interested in listening to 20 other women discuss problems with their children or anger management. It is not remotely relevant to me and I'd rather focus on stuff related to me and my problems. Call it selfish, but it's impossible when it comes to group therapy.

 

[Leiot]

Can you do any of that online therapy? I've seen ads for it but never really looked into it. Have you talked to anyone at NAMI? They might be able to help too. I'm just brainstorming now.

About the other women, that's the problem I have with groups at the VA now. When I was in my bipolar groups we were all in the same situation and were dealing with the same thing. Now that they're all generalized I'm with you on listening to people you have nothing in common with. And they're so general - they don't ever go into depth on anything. They don't even teach people to track their moods & look for triggers. Geez..

 

[Hollowman]

Some problems don't have solutions I've had to accept that, it sucks. Good luck.

 

[Nikki_Music]

Can you do any of that online therapy? I've seen ads for it but never really looked into it. Have you talked to anyone at NAMI? They might be able to help too. I'm just brainstorming now.

About the other women, that's the problem I have with groups at the VA now. When I was in my bipolar groups we were all in the same situation and were dealing with the same thing. Now that they're all generalized I'm with you on listening to people you have nothing in common with. And they're so general - they don't ever go into depth on anything. They don't even teach people to track their moods & look for triggers. Geez..

This stuff actually IS online therapy. I even got discharged from an online therapist/psychiatrist because they couldn't handle me lol

 

[JoysoftheEmptiness]

"Hope is the last thing ever lost" - Italian proverb.

 

[dust-in-the-wind]

I have been in an out of therapy for the last 15 years. I have done individual therapy, group therapy, IOP, I have been hospitalized - I have tried so many things.

Recently it got worse so I've been seeking therapists out. None of them are capable of helping me and consistently refer me to an IOP program. All IOP programs require group therapy, the latest which was 9 hours a week. I have been in so many types of group therapy settings - some with as little as one other person, the latest having 20 people. There have been no age gaps, and age gaps as significant as 30 years. There have been groups of people with similar issues, and people who are so far removed from the challenges I experience that they may as well live in a different world. I have been in sessions that last as long as 9 months. They don't fucking work and yet it's the only option. None of these places will let me do individual therapy.

There is, seemingly, not a single therapist out there who is capable of doing individual therapy sessions for people who are suicidal. It just doesn't exist. I want help, but there's no one capable of giving it. There's no hope for people like us.

I commiserate with all you have said. I even have an individual therapist now that is beyond useless. She gets loss for words and doesn't know what to say to me except the same old platitudes. I do believe for some it is hopeless. And that would be me.