When you suspect to have a personality disorder

[Dotti600]

When someone suspects that they may have a disorder such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, etc, when or how do they go about the process of calling a doctor?

Which do you think is better, group therapy, a 1 on 1 session with a therapist/counselor/etc, or taking meds? Or all three?

Do you intend to skip getting help from someone else and find other ways to soothe yourself such as writing?

If you chose to not get help, why not?

[CH1YO]

Coffeemeow

When someone suspects that they may have a disorder such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, etc, when or how do they go about the process of calling a doctor?

In the same way as one would call a doctor for non-emergency medicine; they should signpost to available services. Be aware though that some doctors, not being experts in mental health, can be quick to prescribe often quite hard drugs- antidepressants in particular.

Coffeemeow

Which do you think is better, group therapy, a 1 on 1 session with a therapist/counselor/etc, or taking meds? Or all three?

Therapy works best, except for in the short term. The advantages and drawbacks of one-to-one versus group therapies are actually moot, the most important thing is to find a format with which one is comfortable and a therapist with which one can connect.

Coffeemeow

Do you intend to skip getting help from someone else and find other ways to soothe yourself such as writing?

This is usually unwise, the strongest indicator of well-being in later life is accessing appropriate mental health services whilst young.

Coffeemeow

If you chose to not get help, why not?

Pride would most likely be my answer.

[DXnobodyX]

CH1YO

Coffeemeow

When someone suspects that they may have a disorder such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, etc, when or how do they go about the process of calling a doctor?

In the same way as one would call a doctor for non-emergency medicine; they should signpost to available services. Be aware though that some doctors, not being experts in mental health, can be quick to prescribe often quite hard drugs- antidepressants in particular.

Coffeemeow

Which do you think is better, group therapy, a 1 on 1 session with a therapist/counselor/etc, or taking meds? Or all three?

Therapy works best, except for in the short term. The advantages and drawbacks of one-to-one versus group therapies are actually moot, the most important thing is to find a format with which one is comfortable and a therapist with which one can connect.

Coffeemeow

Do you intend to skip getting help from someone else and find other ways to soothe yourself such as writing?

This is usually unwise, the strongest indicator of well-being in later life is accessing appropriate mental health services whilst young.

Coffeemeow

If you chose to not get help, why not?

Pride would most likely be my answer.

/thread

[Bootiful Lia]

your post had nothing to do with personality disorders but everything to do with mood disorders, though depression and anxiety are symptoms of personality disorders. I think everything would be better to say, at what point would you seek help for a possible mental health problem.

As per usual, CH1YO ended the thread wink

[Zakery V2]

Coffeemeow

When someone suspects that they may have a disorder such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, etc, when or how do they go about the process of calling a doctor?

Contact your insurance company to see who they suggest you see for a psychologist. Talk to the psychologist about your problems, he may suggest you see a psychiatrist, as well.

Coffeemeow

Which do you think is better, group therapy, a 1 on 1 session with a therapist/counselor/etc, or taking meds? Or all three?

One on one would be best for most disorders. Prescriptions I.e. drugs in your wording, are not for you to demand, but only for psychiatrist to offer if he feel it necessary.

Coffeemeow

Do you intend to skip getting help from someone else and find other ways to soothe yourself such as writing?

I found this funny, disorders you listed above will not be helped by writing or activities, it may stimulate your brain, or give you something to do, but it would not do much compared to seeing a doctor. But if those activities are permitted by a psychologist, or make you feel better than ******** do them.

Coffeemeow

If you chose to not get help, why not?

Most people do not get help because they do not know they need it, or are to ashamed.

[AydenClare]

Dotti600

When someone suspects that they may have a disorder such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, etc, when or how do they go about the process of calling a doctor?

Which do you think is better, group therapy, a 1 on 1 session with a therapist/counselor/etc, or taking meds? Or all three?

Do you intend to skip getting help from someone else and find other ways to soothe yourself such as writing?

If you chose to not get help, why not?

It's allllll personal preference, my dear. Meaning that what works for one person most definitely may not work for someone else. Consider your own personality. Do you benefit more hearing from others with the same problems? Would you prefer to keep you anonymity? In your case, you might want to try all of the above and after a while it will become clear to you what works best. I definitely advocate combining group therapy or one on one therapy with self caring techniques such as writing, yoga, etc.
As for contacting a doctor...if you're comfortable asking those around you who may know someone try that. Or if you are still in high school or college, your school should be able to help you find someone (most colleges should offer "free" counseling services).

[AydenClare]

Dena of Earth

chug down a bottle full of pills and hope for the best!

Way to be an a*****e.

[sammet]

I can only speak from my own past and current experiences.
I first talked to friends and family about it, since I am comfortable with doing so.
Sadly, it took a bit too long for me to get in touch with a doctor, but ultimately I had to do it myself.
Unsure if I could deal with group therapy, I haven't tried it. I go on one on one meetings and take SSRI's.

[su madre1]

Dotti600

When someone suspects that they may have a disorder such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, etc, when or how do they go about the process of calling a doctor?

Which do you think is better, group therapy, a 1 on 1 session with a therapist/counselor/etc, or taking meds? Or all three?

Do you intend to skip getting help from someone else and find other ways to soothe yourself such as writing?

If you chose to not get help, why not?

Usually you call your insurance company to see who's in your area that can take it. Some cities and places also have special services that can help you find a psychiatrist if you qualify, like people with low income and stuff like that.

Group and single depends on the person. Some do better in groups, some do better one on one.

I don't skip help. I do use art to get things out, when I'm not able to talk about stuff though.

Choosing to not get help can effect you negatively down the road, depending on the severity of the disorder and what you might have. It is never a good idea to not try to get some form of help.
If I chose not to, it would probably be out of the idea that I wouldn't be believed or just the fact that I'd find out that I did in fact have something wrong with me.

[bear eating a salmon]

depression is completely situational. it's not a mental illness. it's usually caused by loneliness. all the drugs in the world won't cure loneliness.

[Dotti600]

Oh, hey everyone. Haven't been on this thread in a long time but I've been looking at everyone's replies. I think Psychology and disorders is interesting. smile
For my situation, I suspect I have bipolar but I've been having other health issues and my doctors think I may have a thyroid problem. Took blood tests so we'll see...

[Bootiful Lia]

Dotti600

Oh, hey everyone. Haven't been on this thread in a long time but I've been looking at everyone's replies. I think Psychology and disorders is interesting. smile
For my situation, I suspect I have bipolar but I've been having other health issues and my doctors think I may have a thyroid problem. Took blood tests so we'll see...

Thyroid issues can cause severe mood instabilities, so if that's it, the appropriate treatment should stabilize your moods.

[Emi lubs ewe]

I was already going to a counsellor for trauma as a result of sexual abuse when it was suspected that I had anxiety and depression. She suggested I talk to my doctor to get some medication, because I've been wearing mself out trying to deal with it myself. I think the most helpful thing for me was the one-on-one and groups counselling. It was good to talk to other people that had been through similar situations, or knew how it felt. I'm not very fond of this medication, because it has more unwanted side effects than benefits.