Help For Depression, Self Doubt, Low Self Esteem

[vanbobble]

Hi all.. am writing from the UK.. i have finally convinced my thai partner to speak to a doctor/psychiatrist.. or whatever the thai equivalent is, as she is noticably depressed, worries her arse off and suffers from low self esteem.

Can anyone tell me where in surin she could go to speak to some one.. and how much it would likely cost?

I want her to be happy so much, but nothing i can do seems to have a lasting effect.. and unfortunately i am not rich!

[downtown]

i feel for you. i suffer from all the above but thanks to a recent bout of CBT councilling, am much better. dont know if they have that surin - all the best. pm me if you want about this.

[Mario2008]

1 highly speculative post deleted.

Moved to health forum.

[Mario2008]

Reply to deleted post deleted as well.

[Mario2008]

Another post deleted. Give advise and be supportive.

[Shurup]

Are you coming back here any time soon? That might be one thing that would make your partner feel better and also her being alone wight make it harder for her to go and visit a specialist. I'm sure with you by her side she would be more than willing to go.

[orchis]

Maybe contact one of the pinned resources in Bangkok (PSI etc) to ask if they know someone in Surin who can help.

There are many forms of depression acute, chronical, clinical or it might be something else. diagnosis is many times fraught.

Medication, therapy or developing a high degree of mindfulness can help.

If it's acute depression you would go and see a psychiatrist in a (government) hospital who normally wd prescribe meds, initially at least.

Problem is not enough psychiatrists in Thailand (and more so upcountry) and problem can be reduced to pill popping.

(and then which meds, doses, how long)

You wd need therapy (BCD) to develop skills dealing with depression together with meds, on its own if meds are no longer needed.

There is a good book with an exercises cd ' The Mindful Way through Depression ' that i think is excellent, again depends on severity of case.

Many of the techniques can also be found in vipasana meditation which is probably more accesible for your friend through local instruction at temple or meditation centre.

For me a combination of all of 3 helped, until I could stop medication, ended therapy and now rely on mindfulness techniques only.

Go for a correct diagnosis first.

Edited January 6, 2012 by orchis

[Sheryl]

In that part of the country the best reosurce is Khon Kaen University hospital. It offers counseling from pyschologists as well as medical treatment (i.e. medication) from psychiatrists when indicated.

Unless there are indications she is suicidal or so depressed that she is unable to function, I recommend starting with counseling as the psychologist will refer to an MD for prescription if it seems necessary while the reverse does not always hold true (i.e. psychiatrist may give medication and not refer to counseling...and may give medication whether absolutely necessary or not)

Unfortunately I don't know my way around KKU so can't give any specifics as to where to go but I know they offer counseling psychology as a major in the Univ and surely have a department for it within the hospital.

I realize it's a bot of a trip but I don't think she can get what she needs in Surin.

[Godfree]

A combination of dietary change (simple, mostly steamed veggies, fresh fruit, small amounts organic meat), exercise (yoga is cheap and effective: 3X per week) and Chinese Traditional Medicine from an older practitioner of the same gender as the patient. In my case this cleared it up, permanently, in 60 days.

All the best!

[vanbobble]

thanks all for your advice.. we are currently together in the uk.. she is going back to thailand in a few days. I think councelling is the likely way forward. Thanks again. Rob

[connda]

Maybe contact one of the pinned resources in Bangkok (PSI etc) to ask if they know someone in Surin who can help.

There are many forms of depression acute, chronical, clinical or it might be something else. diagnosis is many times fraught.

Medication, therapy or developing a high degree of mindfulness can help.

If it's acute depression you would go and see a psychiatrist in a (government) hospital who normally wd prescribe meds, initially at least.

Problem is not enough psychiatrists in Thailand (and more so upcountry) and problem can be reduced to pill popping.

(and then which meds, doses, how long)

You wd need therapy (BCD) to develop skills dealing with depression together with meds, on its own if meds are no longer needed.

There is a good book with an exercises cd ' The Mindful Way through Depression ' that i think is excellent, again depends on severity of case.

Many of the techniques can also be found in vipasana meditation which is probably more accesible for your friend through local instruction at temple or meditation centre.

For me a combination of all of 3 helped, until I could stop medication, ended therapy and now rely on mindfulness techniques only.

Go for a correct diagnosis first.

This is a great post with good advise. I can't agree more about mindfulness. Many meditation center in Thailand and the UK teach mindfulness techniques, or vipassana and also lovingkindness technques, or metta. Mindfulness give you the space to investigate your thoughts and feeling, and lovingkindness helps you to accept yourself and others. But mindfulness techniques are also being used in secular therapy environments with a high degree of success. You may want to check the internet using mindfulness therapy or similar search term. So if you can not find a western therapist in Surin, you may want to talk to a local physician about obtaining a prescription for medication to start with, but then look into meditation retreats, read, and investigate. Best of luck to you both!

[Sheryl]

Yes, I also thought about recommending Vipassana for her but hesitated since I didn't have a good sense for just how severe her psychological problems may be.

If not in any way suicidal or delusional, and not depressed to the point of being unable to function on a daily basis, Vipassana could indeed help her a great deal. There are excellent 10 day retrests offered in the Khon Kaen area, see www.dhamma.org and click on course schedules -- Asia -- Thailand

If any doubt about whether she is fit to undertake a meditation retreat, waiting until she has begin counselling and then getting her psychologist's advice o the matter would be best.