Nothing wrong with seeing a shrink

In the Philippines, going to a psychiatrist still has an associated stigma. When one seeks consult with a shrink, one is already thought of as “crazy” in the eyes of others.  Psychotic conditions are not the only situations that are best treated by a psychiatrist. 

There’s nothing wrong in seeing a shrink. There is an urgency in consulting such a medical professional when there are already suicidal thoughts intruding into one’s mind. Suicide is a violent act, which is literally murdering oneself. It could also be a repressed desire to kill somebody else.

Another urgent reason to consult a psychiatrist is when one has homicidal thoughts and when one feels these thoughts cannot be suppressed and may lead to an uncontrollable act.

There are other life situations when a person needs to seek the help of a psychiatrist. Consider the following:

1. Severe depression — extreme sadness with lack of energy to do routine activities, with disturbed sleep and eating patterns and social isolation.

2. Intrusive, confused thoughts or thought blocking.

3. Abuse, either sexual, psychological, economical or physical.

4. Phobic thoughts or fears.

5. Prolonged grief over the demise of a significant loved one.

6. Panic attacks with no identifiable stressor.

7. Relational problems.

8. Substance abuse or dependency — prohibited drugs or alcohol abuse or dependency that has already affected one’s level of academic, social and occupational function.

9. Acute and post-traumatic stress disorders — resulting after a disaster or very traumatic life event like bullying, rape or kidnapping

If talking to your guidance counselor, pastor, priest, teacher, mentor, parent, friend or family member proved futile in relieving your emotions or thought problems in the above stated life situations, then you really will need the help of a psychiatrist.

Some people say that going to a psychiatrist is expensive.  For the information of my readers, here are some government and non-government medical centers in the Philippines with charity psychiatry in-patient and out-patient services:

1. Philippine General Hospital, along Taft Avenue, Manila, has a Department of  Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine (02-554-8470), Child Protection Unit and a Women’s Desk. It also has a student health service clinic for UP Manila students and personnel. UP College of Medicine students with psychological or emotional concerns can be directly referred to the Psychiatry Consultant Monitor of their specific year level. Emergency referrals can be directed to the Psychiatry Resident Physician on Duty (0922-841-2865).

2. National Center for Mental Health on Nueve de Pebrero St., Mandaluyong City.

3. UST Charity Hospital on A.H. Lacson Ave. corner Dapitan St., Sampaloc, Manila.

4. University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center (UERMMC) along Aurora Blvd. in Quezon City.

5. Veterans Medical Center in Project 6, Quezon City. Veterans employees and their dependents may seek services from this hospital.

6. Commission on Audit Medical Services Office — For COA employees and their dependents.

Consulting a psychiatrist may be beneficial in maintaining your mental and emotional stability and may prevent you from hurting yourself or others, ruining or damaging your reputation in your neighborhood or at the workplace. It will also help you maintain your productivity.

It can also save a life.

(For questions on love, looks and relationships, e-mail me at nina.halilijao@gmail.com.)