Dear Kati, my name is Tara I’m 19 and from Ireland. I have struggled with both Anorexia and Bulimia for 4 years. going from one to the other. currently I am struggling with severe bulimia. My doctor referred me to a psychologist in 2009 and when that failed he suggested that inpatient treatment may be neccessary. I went for the assessment and the outcome was that I required inpatient treatment however I do not have health insurance as its not law to have it in this country and the cost of the treatment was way out of our financial ability. and the treatment center were not willing to negotiate. so that was that. for the past 3 yeears I have been dragged around from psychologist to psychologist but with the lack of appropriate healthcare in this country I only recieve 1 1hour appointment every 6 to 8 weeks!!! how is that supposed to work? things have only got worse as time goes on and medical complications are beginning to arise. I had to drop out of school just 1 month before my final exams as I was so sick and weak, couldnt concentrate and just didnt care.. which wasnt like me as I have always been an extremely high achiever. I desperately want to get better, more than anything else in the world but i need the help i really believe i need inpatient care to break this vicious cycle. I^’m ready to move on but I need the professional help. I am so frustrated and so angry that I have even written personal letters and emails to the government, the minister for health, the head of mental health, every last person i could think of explaining my situation. Unfortunately i got no responses. It’s so unfair that someone’s chance of getting better depends on how much money they have. Is there ANYTHING you think I could try… I will do anything to try get the help I need. I cant live like this any longer I want to move on with my life…. x
Wow!! I had no idea Ireland was like that!! I am so sorry!! Well to start, using this website for positive support can definitely help. I would also encourage you to start working on my free workbook. I also have a widget that recommends books and I plan on adding some workbooks that are available online for purchase and that way you can start working from home! I know this isn't ideal but just let me know if there are topic you would like me to cover and we will do our best. Also, my upcoming dietician videos could start you off with an idea about that as well. We'll work together okay:) keep me posted!! Xoxox
Kati Morton recently posted..I'm desperate for help but I can't get any!!!
This is ridiculous! This is so unfair! I am in Germany where health insurance is required. And I think this is how it should be everywhere,.... exactly because of stuff like that! But, I am studying in Poland and I was seeing a therapist and she was very, let's say "special"... she had to writie to the insurance a diagnosis and the therapy so that they can approve it an cover it. It always took her forever, so my dad decided to just pay it and then the insurance would just return the money. This is how it should work, but my therapist (well ex-therapist) didn't feel like chosing one of the 5 theraies that the insurance suggested, she kept writing her own shit. she didnt understand that she just need to write one of the 5 therapies and then she can do her own thing anyways... it is just so it gets covered.... I ended up quitting b/c I hated the way she talked about my ED. But I saw her for 5 months I think, and especially in the beginning every week for 2 hours, so u can only imagine how much money my dad had to pay. he never got the money back, because she didn't get the point. I felt like a failure. I felt guilty for throwing so much money away, and my ED didn't even get better.
I think that the government should help, because in the end, u will just need more expensive treatment because of all the medical complications that could arise along with psych treatment, and it is just ridiculous that nobody want to help u, especially given the fact that u are only 19, and u have all your life still to come.
Sometimes there are organisations that give treatment for free. Well, I know places here in Germany, even in my town (just that I am not at a point where I want treatment), which have I think social workers and psychologists... and they can meet every week if u r having as hard time and need the help They r then usually not ED specialists, but it might help to get some support and to make a plan and stuff like that. See if there is anything like that around .... i hope u can find something like that.
Good luck and keep fighting... because people who never give up won't ever lose!
I'm In Ireland too, I have to agree with you on this one the mental health system is beyond a joke. I was in the Child/Adolescent system until I turned Eighteen and then got moved to the Adult system because I am now an adult duhh but anyway getting to the point I had just come out of Inpatient treatment for depression and suicidal ideation and lost my psychiatrist and councellor who I saw regularly and was dumped with a psychiatrist every 8 weeks for 10mins Not amused I'm really in a mess at the minute mental health wise but refuse to go back to the same Psychiatrist Note: Whichever one you get that's it they are assigned to the doctors practice so if you and they don't work on the same wavelength or they have no experience of a case like yours tough, deal with it! -__- I don't know what to suggest if you've written to the government I would try your local T.D they've been known to pull a few strings now and again because they need to be seen doing things in their own area. If you can't get inpatient from him I would at least ask him is their a way they can subsidise more regular counselling/therapy :)