I've thought about asking for help but I'm scared.

[Green Destiny]

As the title says I've contemplated asking for some help via trying to get some kind of therapist. There's a myriad of reasons why I keep wavering be it from having no clue where to start especially since I'm not on insurance but Medicaid, to trying to get the nerve just to ask my family. It doesn't help that my mom has always given off an air of discouragement for seeking some form of psychiatric help, I don't think she wants to acknowledge the possibility that something could be wrong with me while my dad has always been in his own little world and doesn't know my medical history and he probably won't go through helping me through every step of the process.

I could ask my sister but she's so busy with her own life that I don't want her to have to drop everything to help me, plus if I did ask her for help she'd want to be kept in the loop on what I'm doing and there would be a good chance that I'd get cold feet and back out, and she would then know about my asking for help and she probably wouldn't just drop the subject even if I asked her to.

I'll be honest I needed a few days just to get myself to write this thread, it makes me so uncomfortable. I don't know how to proceed. As one last side note this isn't including my feelings for therapists/psychiatrist since I've heard stories about them telling others personal information despite not being allowed to sans you threatening people or yourself.

 

[badatparties]

If you think it will help, try it. I heard it takes a long time to find a good therapist/psychologist. Don't think you have to stay with one if it isn't working out. There are also many forms of therapy, EMDR, Humanistic, Gestalt, Internal family systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and so on and so forth.

It will take some time, especially with shit insurance like Medicaid. Peace.

 

[orpheus_]

I think it's worth trying anything, so it's good that you're planning to.
Yes there are shit people in every profession, also psychiatrists/therapists. But these are marginal cases and most likely you will either get *some* help or guidance, or it will just do nothing. So worth trying, I think, if it's available for you. It's understandable to be lost. Finding doctors, managing appointments and all that can seem overwhelming. At this point just see anyone with good reviews from other patients, and tell that person straight up - that you don't really know what to do and where to look for help, thell them what problems/potential mental illness symptoms you experience. These people are also here to guide you.
Good luck and I hope you will be able to start the process, at least! I believe that even if professionals can't really do much in some cases, getting help can just make life more bearable (maybe sometimes even decent)

 

[fedup1982]

Well done for writing this post. It's part of the process in finally getting the help you deserve.

I'm sorry that your parents aren't a big help. It's frustrating.

I wouldn't worry about therapists sharing private information. Sure, it does happen, but it's rare thanks to the consequences for them if they do so

 

[lita-lassi]

good job on wanting to seek help! i understand all too well the fear of approaching a new person and having unsupportive family. if you think your sister is the best bet to help you, ask her when she has some free time to sit with and focus on things just with you to help you start the process of searching and making appointments. make it a boundary that you may want to keep things private and you might not update her every step of the way. reassure her that it isnt from a place of dislike or not being grateful, but you may also want to make a promise with yourself and her that you will ask her for more help if you need it and she is able. shes your sister, she should want you to succeed and feel better whether shes able to directly intervene or not. it takes quite a few weeks to get into a familiar stride and understand a new therapist and their approach to you, so be patient with them and with yourself. this is a big step and its only normal to be scared, but youre stronger than you think you are