Disturbed Case

Posted by Nancys (83 days ago)

Does anyone know of a good psychologist. I have an aunt who has been really depressed and has put my whole family into acute depression, because of her they have become depressed and disturbed too. they're really concerned about her emotions as she get really negative and she gets full of hatered and rage for everyone and then just stresses herself out and feel sick. there is family history of depression, so there is no escape but i'm really wurried that she'll become a social outcast and as it is she has fears and paranois for no reason. she doesn't want to live like a hermit dubious of the world and negative and hurting herself in the process. that is really unhealthy. does anyone have any suggestions and is there any hope? has anyone improved seeing a good psychologist? it has affected me and everyone around her, we all have become patients maybe in some way because of her, i am afraid there might be no permanent cure for a case like hers who has made us nuts too.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by RichardHK (82 days ago)

Sorry to hear of your troubles. Not much fun for sure. But maybe you could consider a hypnotherapist, rather than a psychologist who would may spend far too much time (and money) looking backwards for a solution.

A good hypnotherapist may only take several sessions to help. Ask your local doctor for a referral perhaps, if he/she supports such solutions. Or search here for hypnosis/hypnotherapists. Dr Melanie Bryan is one such source.

Hope you can find a solution.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by hotandbothered (82 days ago)

I can recommend an excellent psychologist who has helped a friend of mine through a difficult time. Her name is Lynette Levy. She is a western psychologist and she speaks fluent English as well as Chinese.
Her contact number is 2521 4668. She is based in Central on Hollywood rd.
I Hope this helps you.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Nancys (82 days ago)

RichardHK is hypnotherapy permanent or just a short term solution. I have heard abut EFT and all sorts of treatments but wonder if they are pemanent? I tried EFT a couple of times but really saw no diff so how can I suggest to anyone else?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Meiguoren (82 days ago)

IMO a professionally qualified clinical psychologist will include hypnosis in the bag of tricks, along with ability to diagnose, recommend any helpful medication and many other appropriate techniques.

(I am based in Guangzhou)

Posted by RichardHK (81 days ago)

Hi Nancy,

Hypnotherapy is certainly permanent if done correctly. And as noted above, a pro clinical psychologist may well have hypnosis in their bag, but some will not. Sadly, even in the 21st century there are many doctors/others that think hypnosis is not real/etc. Pushing pills is so much easier and more profitable.

EFT may be like NLP, with lots of hype and poorly trained practitoners (?). Not at all the same as hypnotherapy. As said earlier, ask your local doctor but if he is not supportive of hypnotherapy, find another.

Most important though, is that your aunty accepts the need for help and treatment. If she does not want to change those negative thoughts/moods/whatever, you have little chance of change using hypnosis, EFT, NLP, or anything else that needs cooperation.

And suggest that you and others in family learn some deep relaxation techniques (and maybe with self-hypnosis?) to help you chill out and cope.

Wish you well.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by beancurd (81 days ago)

Hello Nancy,
I feel sorry for you also. I have my daughter who suffered depression since she was 16 years and it was ignored because I do not believe she is sicked. It all started to tell me that she smelled so badly and I always told her that it is not true. I smelled everypart of her body to let her know that nothing is smelling. She went to see a psychiatrist and she was prescribed an anti depressant pills. She studied in the University and after 2nd year, she told me she want to take rest. So, I let her rest. After that, she continued her education and finished her course. Besides the sign of smelling, she said that she is always thinking her classmates were all talking about her smell. I did not give attention but just ignored what she is talking about. After University, she worked as customer service representative and same story, saying that everybody was talking against her. She said she wants to stop working. So I just keep saying to ignore others and focus her attention to her work. But when my mom had operation, she always absent and sleepy because she had to visit my mom and very tired of going back and forth to the hospital. And the company gave her a memo warning about her being absent. So she decided to quit the job. She took rest and then followed her sister to work in middleeast and her situation became worst because she did not sleep and eat properly until I followed her to pick her up and bring her home. Her situation became worst and she had the feeling that somebody wants to kill her or poison her. I started to read about depression through internet and I realized that it is true that she is sicked. I blamed myself because of my ignorance. All what she feels about the disease was mentioned by her but totally ignored by her own mother.

I brought her to the Psychiatrist and she was not advise to go to the hospital, just continue her useless medication. I found another pscyhiatrist from the Mental hospital and the doctor decided that she checked in to the home care. The place is only for depressed people like my daughter. The doctor told me that she can stay for one month in the home care, because somebody must monitor her medication that should be taken regularly, give her proper food because at home, nobody can force her to do these things. Then after one month, I asked the Doctor if it is possible for my daughter to go home and she said, it would be better if she can stay for another one month. So I agreed. For two months of staying in the home care, I made sure, that we visited her regularly, phone her just to make sure that we always love her. After one month from the home care, I requested the doctor if she can stay overnight with us for one day, then next week, to come home again for 2 days, followed by another 3 to 4 days because I want to make sure that she will be normal. Finally, she went home, she still continue her medication and she is the one taking the medication on her own will and she is now very different person, she is very lively young girl and I think, she was taken care of by people who knows what they are doing. The family with this kind of problem should not feel shame. It is advisable to get 2nd or 3rd opinion from other doctors. And most importantly, better go to the hospital that especialized to this kind of problem like if you have mental illness. better go to the Mental hospital, if you have bone problem, you go to the orthopedic hospital because they really especialized for that area. Otherwise, you will waste time and money for expensive private psychiatrist.
II realized if my daughter was properly treated at the earlier stage of depression, it will not become worst. Anyway, I do hope that she will continue to feel better and she is now thinking about her future job.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Nancys (81 days ago)

Thanks for your advice. Slowly my whole family is getting affected and I am really worried. My mother who is generally really positive has also succumbed to depression and says she feels really stifled and worried. I am really worried for her more than anybody else because she is such a giving person and we all have probably combined got her down, which is really unfair to us. It is my aunt, others and i are who are in this spiral. The hospital you talk about is in Hk? Not all of us can take time away to be in a hospital for a month or more. I am thinking a psychologist might help in a clinic or in a hospital if you know of one pls let me know? I am confused with so many options as to what is effective. I know EFT didn't make much diff. I don't know of a good psychologist who has proven results like in the case of your daughter. Did they talk to her a lot in the hospital?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by RichardHK (80 days ago)

Dear Nancy,

Reference relaxation, not sure if this helps (in English) but it is a very effective MP3 free download designed to help you relax: (38MB)

http://www.mindsci-clinic.com/mindscitherapy.htm

You can find other free downloads on this site too. All by Barry Thain, a very competent and effective clinical hypnotist in the UK.

Here is link for other downloads: http://www.mindsci-clinic.com/podtherapy.htm

Lots more of these kind of files around, some with music backgrounds, so if you need Chinese spend some time searching.

And try playing relaxing music at home. The sound of the sea/waves good too. HMV should have some of these kind of CDs (for Yoga, meditation, etc).

One other option locally is to talk to a "mood disorder centre/clinic". There is an independent one in Tuen Mun, and others around attached to CityU and various hospitals.

Here is the Tuen Mun centre (Chinese). http://www.adec-mood.com/

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by beancurd (80 days ago)

Dear Nancy,
I sent to you pm. I think your aunt's case need proper diagnose from the doctor especilized for mental illness. She needs correct medicine because there are many kinds of mental problem. One can diagnose her w/schizophrenia or depression. My daughter was diagnose as schizophrenia, was given the medicine for that but she did not have any improvement, so I brought her to government funded mental hospital, it was diagnosed as depression and it was big relief. She took the correct pills for her illness and only 2 weeks have improvement. She is now in high spirit and really made a lot of improvement. But the doctor advised us that she must have the follow up check up and make sure that her pills were taken on time, enough sleep and proper food. No chocolates and coffee allowed.

It is highly recommended to get other opinion from 2nd or 3rd doctor especialized in mental problem.

I recommend to bring your aunt to consult to a mental hospital in Hong Kong. Do not feel shame because you have to face and solve this kind of problem. Many people become worst because the relatives feel shame to face this problem. Your aunt needs proper medication if she is depressed.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by beancurd (80 days ago)

Hello Nancy, you try this:

Mental Health Hotline : 2466 7350
Specialties :
Adult Psychiatry
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Forensic Psychiatry
Psychogeriatrics
Rehabilitation
Community Psychiatric Service


Castle Peak Hospital
New Territories West Cluster

15 Tsing Chung Koon Road, Tuen Mun, NT
Tel : 2456 7111
Fax : 2455 9330

(I am based in Hong Kong)