It seems to me that you might go ahead and see this psychiatrist. One bad review does not mean he wouldn't work for you.

I'm really sorry you're having such a rough time. I wish there were something I could recommend, but I just don't have any ideas.

It IS good to hear from you.



I'm glad your parents are there for you...

I must thank you for all the support you have given me!

Go see the doctor that was recommended. I wouldn't base my opinion on one bad rating.

to go. if you hate him, you don't have to go back.

it is worth a shot at seeing that person. I had my best experience with a Fruedian, which is a style I strongly disagree with, but we negotiated how our sessions would go and it was probably the best and most helpful time of my life.

Ignore it. It's just internet garbage.

Alcohol is one nasty fucking drug. I'm troubled that you self-medicate with it. It appears that you are not on a steady med regiment. If that's the case then the meds are useless. It's not like taking an aspirin for a headache. There is no magic pill but if you don't work toward finding meds that help you then all the psychotherapy in the world won't matter.

Yes, your parents are enablers. My youngest brother is 50 years old and living with my mother in a medicaid facility. My mother was (and still is) an enabler to my brother. His life was destroyed by her misguided 'love' and he has no where he can go. Eventually my mother will die and he'll be forced to live on the street.

Remember how you felt when you went out with a camera? Don't let the good moments fade. You have it in you to do better. But quit fucking drinking. Alcohol can, quite literally, kill you. I can tell you this; if you have an alcohol related event that lands you in a psych ward you may be there for quite awhile.

Don't have it around.
Using it is too easy when it's available.
Tell your parents that for your own good, you want them to co-operate in not having any alcohol in your home, for now and into the future.
If you can be firm about nothing else, be firm with yourself re abstaining from alcohol.
You know yourself better than anyone.
If you know that one drink leads to two, then three - then don't have #one.

Good luck. We wish all the best for you.

My mother has a padlocked cache of wine that I stay away from. Long time back I actually stole from said cache when I was at my worst in terms of drinking (this was some years back), but I no longer do that and can't anyway. But they don't keep any other alcohol around for just this reason. Luckily I don't drink often, the bad thing is the times I drink I'm at my worst emotionally and I do it to self medicate. I've stopped for long periods in the past and plan to again. Fixing the other issues in my life are another matter but I believe I have the self control for this, at least right now.

And I don't mean to come across as too authoritarian, as I have my weaknesses, too - sweets, in my case.
But I do believe there is a place where you have to draw a line, and likely alcohol is one for you.
No one knows your vulnerabilities better than yourself, and you are self-aware enough to know, according to your comments.

Be kind to yourself.
Keep busy.
If you're not working, volunteering in some manner would give a certain structure and meaning to your days.
You could, and maybe should start out small; you could always add on.
If you find a certain activity is not a good fit, just accept it as that, not a reflection on yourself.

We're here, and only wishing good outcomes for you.

Actually I am on a steady med regiment, been taking one form of SSRI or another for many years now. It's just that I've never found any of them to be of that much use when things hit the fan.

About your brother does he work, or live off your parents? Does he have any mental health issues? Just curious. My parents have actually offered to help me get a place of my own and I'm thinking more and more of late on taking them up on the offer. My mother has said she will look into getting me back into 7-11, I was an assistant manager there for 4 years and things were good then. Perhaps in the short run I can work there again and move out and try to work on myself a bit by myself, away from the parents. We will see.

Thanks for the concern about the drinking, I agree with you. I'm going to try not to turn to it any more even when things get bad for me. Luckily I'm not a frequent drinker.

There may be some light at the end of the tunnel now but I'm still rather low. Still haven't gotten around to doing anything but eat and sleep and browse the web, and feel sorry for myself. My mother has offered to try to get me back into 711 and at least I haven't said no so I may end up working there, perhaps. And I'm thinking more and more at taking up my parent's offer of them helping me get a place so I can move out of the house. We will see. Thanks for checking in.

How did it go with Dr Fabien?