Therapists

[odydnas]

Does anyone here see a therapist to help them cope with anxiety, depression, and isolation? I just started seeing one, and I was wondering how long it would take for me to feel better mentally. I don't think my therapist really understands...she keeps asking me if I use eyedrops, and I tried to get her to check out this website, but she says she does not like to use the computer.

I don't really how therapy works, so I'm wondering if I should stick w/ this therapist and wait and see how it turns out, or should I look for a new one?

[Dr. W]

Does anyone here see a therapist to help them cope with anxiety, depression, and isolation? I just started seeing one, and I was wondering how long it would take for me to feel better mentally. I don't think my therapist really understands...she keeps asking me if I use eyedrops, and I tried to get her to check out this website, but she says she does not like to use the computer.

I don't really how therapy works, so I'm wondering if I should stick w/ this therapist and wait and see how it turns out, or should I look for a new one?

I am a therapist and if I were you, I would think about switching therapists. If you have explained that you have tried various methods to get this under control and that you are still struggling, and she still does not seem to be getting it, you might think about finding someone new.

The goal of any therapist is try to understand what is happening from the patient's perspective and if you don't feel like you're being understood, then there's a problem.

How long does it take to feel better? It depends on so many factors (e.g., your personality, symptoms, coping strategies resources etc. etc.), but when you find someone empathic who truly attempts to understand your situation and is willing to listen, that, in and of itself, can start to make you feel slightly better. Once you have established a relationship with a caring professional, then you can start to work on all the other things, and eventually you will learn how to better cope with this debilitating condition.

Hope that helps.

[kimby2007]

Therapy

I heard that over 80% of patients with dry eye suffer from some form of depression. I imagine severity depends on the dry eyes themselves. I know that I see a therapist and am on prescription antidepressants. I was one who never saw anyone for the ups and downs of life but then dry eye came along and my universe changed.

I think you are doing the right thing by seeking help. However, finding a good therapist is difficult so expect to tests the waters to get a good fit.

Best wishes to you and your eyes

[rubyslippers]

A good therapist would want to educate herself as to your experience. I would switch therapists.

If you had anorexia or had experience rape you would not want to go to a therapist who did not educate herself because computers are too hard to learn to use. I don't consider this professional at all.

[lasiksurvivor]

Time to switch

I'm in the same boat as kcoffiner. I was plugging along through life until dry eyes after Lasik about sent me over the edge.

Time to switch therapists. Mine only listened for awhile, asked a few questions and prescribed fluvoxamine, an Obssessive Complusive disorder drug. Actually, I thought she was nuts for not prescribing an anti depressent but she knew her stuff. It started helping after a week or two. I think I was always OCD but my dry eyes turned it up and caused all kinds of mental health problems.