Andy (ANZAC_7.30)
Case Study 3
Ben, January 2016
“In the end I got help because I knew I was in trouble. I was impatient and irritable with the people I loved. I found myself withdrawing from people and wanting to hide…”
I feel so good these days. I now have my energy back, and feel physically, emotionally and spiritually good.
I have been in Christian ministry most of my life and getting psychological help was one of the hardest things I have ever done. The stigma I had about mental illness was loud and strong. The stigma and my pride shouted "only weak people get mentally sick, and that’s not me". But I eventually realised my pride and strong opinions were not fixing me.
In the end I got help because I knew I was in trouble. I was drowning emotionally. I was impatient and irritable with the people I loved. I found myself withdrawing from people and wanting to hide. I was exhausted and emotionally numb much of the time. When I went to bed I couldn’t sleep and often fell asleep instead in front of the TV, which affected my marriage.
My concentration was shot, my mental capacity was decreasing and the brain was foggy. I felt drained and tired all the time.
When I did go for help it took me months to really trust the process and be able to focus and listen properly. It took months to realise that this was a safe process where my weaknesses would not be exposed to the world. I came to see that I was emotionally depleted, and that by calming down and trusting the therapy process I could be restored.
As the therapy progressed I turned a corner and began to feel hope and purpose again. And today I know much more about who I am and my life purpose.
I value myself much more and have learnt how to look after myself and how to enjoy my life.
Case Study 2
Geoff, August 2015
I’m no longer the same person. Being recommended to get psychological help was the best advice I was ever given. I even rang my dad and told him he should see someone too. I’m a changed person today. I’m going great and my marriage has also dramatically changed for the better in recent weeks.
I used to get headaches all the time feeling heavy and lethargic popping pain killers from 7.30 am every day. Now I feel lighter and not as oppressed. I'm no where near as defensive as I was and can now express myself without feeling I’m going to hurt someone. Previous to getting help I was always trying to do the right thing to keep everyone at home happy. I can now express myself better and tell my wife when I’m not 100% or if I’m struggling. My children are no longer scared of me and I’m no longer angry with them all the time. I don’t come in the front door tense and angry anymore and I don’t have a sore neck.
I work in heavy industry and I was initially fearful about seeing a psychologist but now I tell everyone. I give the boys a work a few tips now and then from what I’ve learned, on how to get their stuff together.
I found dealing with my stuff very worth-while and and realise that not dealing with your stuff can be devastating for everyone.....
Case Study 1
Andrew, August 2015
After a successful professional career in the military I personally needed help with Depression, PTSD and Alcoholism. I was encouraged to get help and found counselling therapy extremely beneficial and helped me deal with difficult life issues, the most important being keeping me alive and my family together.
I found it very difficult to ask for help not knowing where to turn while I was caught in such a deep dark despair. As a man with a distinguished military career I saw asking for help as a sign of weakness, equal to admitting defeat.
However, people persisted with me to get help and I eventually got help me make my way out of the darkness of depression and into a life filled with possibility and moments of real happiness. My perspective on life changed and continues to change as I work toward a better life for myself and my family with a more outward focus.
The journey of dealing with my stuff introduced me to numerous practical techniques designed to help me cope with anxiety, depression, stress, anger. If I had not got help I would not be alive today.
