I think I need psych help

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She can't go to the ER bc she has to work. She'll clearly be committed and then her work will easily let her go if they are already downsizing.

She will not necessarily be committed. But if they do, so what? You wouldn't tell her not to go if she had any other health crisis.

[Anonymous]

Inova has a psychiatric urgent care: https://www.inova.org/locations/inova-psychiatric-assessment-center-ipac

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get an appointment with a psychiatrist to adjust your meds. If you have to wait, at least it's made. In the meantime, get a two hour massage. Buy a night guard. Cry and let yourself feel however you feel. Take time off if you can and just rest. You will get through it but get help. Talk therapy can help.

You shouldn’t have to wait more than a few days for a med adjustment appt, if OP describes the state she is in. OP, upping the AD is one possibility, or adding on an anti anxiety med short term.

OP, when you say hands are shaking and heart is pounding, there could also be something physical going on - if you have a pcp and can get in for a sick visit in a few days, ask for a basic blood panel, thyroid lab work, blood pressure and cardiac review. The advent of telehealth means you should be able to get an appointment with someone within a few days. Even a PCP these days may prescribe an antidepressant in high stress situations. Try to recognize that your

Don’t rule out therapy - it will be helpful over time and it’s not as complicated as you make it out to be. Use your healthcare portal’s find a doctor function and look for someone in network.

Ask kids to get at least part-time jobs to help out, especially in case of worst case scenario. If they’re in college, they’re old enough to know that work can be bumpy and by sharing you are modeling for them to do the same. Everyone in the family boat who’s old enough to row should do so.

Ask hubs to investigate what other gig work he can pick up, even if it’s just door dash or smthg. If he’s not working, ask him to find and make medical appointments for you.

Do you have siblings you can share with or others in DH’s family who he can share with and who might provide some support?

Try to do your best at work, but also increase your networking now (both inside your company and outside), refresh your resume, etc. before you get fired. Collect any work documentation that would be good for future jobs.

Remember, if you are let go, you probably have access to unemployment insurance and can purchase healthcare at a reduced rate on the ACA marketplace or even qualify for Medicaid (regardless of assets) if you have no income. If hubs is less employed than you, have him do the leg work on researching these benefits and making a budget of what to cut, and researching whether, if you are fired, you can go back to the college and ask for additional aid or loans.

You can get through this!

[Anonymous]

I’m really sorry about your Mom, that she is dying—brings a lot of grief beforehand as well as after. Please while you are waiting for an appointment take 15 min a day to sit with yourself, breathe, cry, have a cup of tea. No phones, just sit with this—It’s really hard and I wish you all the best.

[Anonymous]

New poster.
Please try to get your parents out of your head. If your mom is dying it doesn't matter what your dad is doing or not doing. They have lived their lives essentially. One less worry for you!

[Anonymous]

OP, I feel for you. Grief and anxiety are so, so difficult.

How is your sleep? In the past I have had doctors prescribe hydroxyzine. It’s an antihistamine, so docs are less reluctant to write a script for it than for the hypnotic sleeping pills. However, it helps some people in some instances and can even ease anxiety. I’ve also had some luck downloading a yoga nidra recording to my phone to help with falling asleep asleep. (It can be good for daytime breaks from anxiety too.)

If you feel you need to hit the brakes, can you start scheduling some PTO from work? Take a day or half day to make medical appointments for yourself. Have a short week or several to look forward to.

If you feel like you’re on the edge of crisis, can you take a leave of absence? Caring for a loved one with a terminal illness qualifies you for FMLA.

Also, can you do something for self care that helps you to reconnect with your body? Sign up for a Pilates class, get a massage, have a facial. Having something pleasant in your life can be helpful, as are activities that ground you.