Hello

[Kathleen]

Hi;

May name is Kathleen, I am 23 and I live in Northern Ontario. I just moved here from 8 hours south. I had to leave my counselor and everyone behind. I was diagnosed with depression and PTSD a while back. I also suffer from panic attacks and anxiety.

I have a problem with checking things all the time. This had gotten worse since I moved here by myself. A lot of my day it taken up by this. I get thoughts that come into my head that don't go away. Even if I know I locked the door or unplugged the coffee maker or turned off the gas range, I have to do it again and again. I keep thinking that if I don't check these things someone will break in and kill my pets or I will be raped again, or my apartment will burn to the ground destroying everything inside that is important to me or an appliance will malfunction and destroy everything. Before I go to bed I have to lock all the doors and windows and check all the closets and rooms, unplug all the appliances, check all the knobs on the stove, and check on all my pets to make sure they are alright. When I crawl into bed, the thoughts come back making me think I did something wrong and I have to get up and do it all over again.

I have tried finding a doctor up here, but I can't find anyone. I am afraid that if I don't get help for this soon I will go crazy. The anxiety that comes with all of this is so hard to deal with. Sometimes I smoke pot to try to calm myself down because I don't know what else to do.

Anyways that is what had brought me to this forum.

 

[Daniel E.]

:welcome2:

I have a problem with checking things all the time...

Regarding these checking behaviors, you may want to check out the book Brain Lock.

I have tried finding a doctor up here, but I can't find anyone

If you don't have a family physician, is there a clinic you can go to? That could be a good way to start/resume with medications.

One possible way to see if there are any therapists or psychiatrists in your area:
http://cioc.cmhagrb.on.ca/
http://www.crhspp.ca/findlist.php
http://www.mhsio.on.ca/

 

[Kathleen]

The only thing in my area is a CMHA. I have an intake appointment on Monday, so I will have to see what happens. I don't have a family doctor.

 

[Retired]

Kathleen,

Additionally for immediate support you might call Telehealth Ontario -
Telehealth Ontario provides Free Access to a Registered Nurse ? 24 Hours a day, 7 days a Week. 866-797-0000

Or contact the Canadian Mental Health Association directly and check for a branch close to you on the link I provided.

Let us know how you make out, and continue the conversation here, so we can try to provide the support you might need until you find a local health professional.

 

[Kathleen]

Thank you guys for the links and the help. I just want to be able to control all of this better, but I don't know where to begin. Like I said, I do have an intake with the Canadian mental health association on Monday. Hopefully they can help me. I am just at the point where I can't deal anymore. It is getting really bad and out of control. I have been in the hospital before for taking too many pills and then cutting my wrists, so I am trying to find help before I get back to that point. I was on a bunch of medications that were helping, but went off of them 2 years ago. The clozapine (sp?) was the one that worked the best, but after a few months I kept waking up paralyzed. It was awful. I could see and hear everything around me, but couldn't move. When I tried to scream for help, I couldn't. This stopped when I stopped the medication. After that I refused to take any more pills, but my old doctor convinced me to start prozac. I have no idea why I am still taking it, because it doesn't do a darn thing. When I moved, my family doctor as well as my psychiatrist discharged me as their patient. I wish there were available doctor's up here, but I haven't had any luck finding one. Hopefully something falls into place before I totally break down and do something I may regret.

 

[Retired]

Kathleen,

Is there someone you can call such as a family member or trusted friend who can help you during this difficult time. Perhaps there is someone who could come stay with you for a while until you see someone on Monday.

If you have just moved to a new City, it is understandable the stress of moving added to your existing issues might be causing your distress. Can you keep yourself safe until your appointment on Monday?

See if This Local Resurce Page can be of any help in locating a physician.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

According to the Yello pages, these are some Psychologists serving Kirkland-Lake ON

Consultants B C H
819-797-5116
94, avenue Du Lac, Rouyn-Noranda, QC, J9X4N4

Blain Michelle Dr
705-268-0475
250 Third Avenue, Timmins, ON, P4N1E3
Category:

Deck Trevor Psychologist
705-524-1000
754 Falconbridge Hwy, Sudbury, ON, P3A4S4

King & Saltstone
705-476-1164
1557 Pinewood Crescent, North Bay, ON, P1B4P5


Blackwell Psychological Services
705-671-6023
210 Cedar Street, Sudbury, ON, P3B1M6

McKechnie Josie Dr
705-670-0606
30 Ste. Anne Road, Sudbury, ON, P3C5E1


Bergersen Sidney Dr
705-566-3678
115 Cedar Street, Sudbury, ON, P3E1A9

Champaigne Klassen
705-675-3211
213 Rue Pine St, Sudbury, ON, P3C1X8

Valliant P Dr
705-671-0082
238 Elm Street, Sudbury, ON, P3C1V3

Aubry Heather Dr
705-840-1212
1209 Cassells Street, North Bay, ON, P1B4B8

Stewart S Dr
705-475-1354
288 Worthington Street West, North Bay, ON, P1B3B4

Nicholl George Dr
705-476-5082
200-348 Fraser Street, North Bay, ON, P1B3W7

Dr Margaret Sroga
705-497-1880

Laroche Jean Paul Dr
705-497-9683
245-101 Worthington Street East, North Bay, ON, P1B1G6

Phillips Jeff Dr
705-476-1635
437 Sherbrooke Street, North Bay, ON, P1B2C2

Bassis Edward Dr
705-673-4475
885 Regent Street, Sudbury, ON, P3E5M4

Lariviere Michel A S Dr
705-673-9986
101-885 Regent Street, Sudbury, ON, P3E5M4

Managhan T Dr
705-523-8147
469 Bouchard Street, Sudbury, ON, P3E2K8

Parrott Carol Dr
705-787-1589
73 Thomas Crescent, Huntsville, ON, P1H2M4

 

[Kathleen]

Steve: Thanks for the advice, but my family is 8 hours away from me.

Thanks for the information on psychologists. The closest to me would be North Bay, but it is still 2 hours away. That can be quite the challenge when you don't have a car. The bus goes through there, but it takes 3 hours each way. I feel so lost and hopeless.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Thanks for the information on psychologists. The closest to me would be North Bay, but it is still 2 hours away. That can be quite the challenge when you don't have a car. The bus goes through there, but it takes 3 hours each way. I feel so lost and hopeless.

You might inquire as to whether any of them will travel. I know in Northern Ontario there are a number of psychologists who do travel to reserves to see First Nations clients.

 

[Kathleen]

Thank you

 

[hannelore]

Hi Kathleen, as someone who lived in the north for a time - good luck and warm thoughts sent your way!