Don't worry this one isn't about self-harm or whatever. It's about making an appointment with RGU's conselling service. There's just so much going on right now and since last week I've been feeling almost constantly ill which the person who suggested the service pointed out is probably just being run down from stress. I think part of the problem is that I have to act as though everything's normal which is sometimes easier than others. The result is that I'm keeping my guard up day and night which is exhausting and making it hard to keep a leash on the crazy day after day. Add work and uni then the muscle spasms I had over the summer look tame. So if anyone has any experience with this stuff, would it be worth my while to try it out?

I think different people have different experiences with counsellers... It personally didn't help me in the slightest and I stopped going after a few times, but it really helps some people. If you feel like you need to, make an appointment and see how you get on with it.

A good counselor can go a long way in helping with anything from stress and anxiety to more severe issues.

I found it quite interesting that alot of ideas that I had that I thought were crazy were common amongst many people.

And I've also had some very good confirmations and suggestions working with counselors.

You just need to keep in mind that they take in a lot of crazy each day and they don't want to influence you with that type of crazy unless you demonstrate that type of crazy so they can seem like they're holding back at times but not to worry. A good one knows how to empathise and deal with you in a way that you already understand.

You're probably just going through alot of stress right now, at your age, because you're begining to set out into life and make something of yourself so you've got alot on your plate as well as still trying to retain social and love lives.

I agree that it wouldn't hurt. The one I saw pissed me off so much I fixed myself

If you feel it is going to benefit you in the short and long term go for it And good luck in making a decision

Hi

You've probably been to a counsellor by now but I would say that you don't necessarily have to see the first one you come to and I certainly would ask the counsellor questions about how he/she works and what qualifications they have.

Amazing what you said about fixing yourself after seeing a not-so-good-therapist. I think we all have the resources in there somewhere.

Good luck with it

Sue

you just need to sit down and get someone proper to listen to your problems and good ear is better then a good mouth.

I really like what you said carltss 'a good ear is better than a good mouth' I am so going to use that phrase and I could not agree more. I think if all a therapist can do is listen to you then they are more than halfway there in helping you.

I'd say go for it, worse that can happen is it doesn't work, and I'm assuming the uni provides it for free.

I went to counseling for a while and it helped me a lot. Didn't 'cure' me at all, but gave me a perspective and insight and outlook I didn't previously have. I really think counseling helped with my self-esteem, confidence and ultimately happiness.

It isn't a cure, but for me it was a catalyst. Just by going to counseling in the first place sort of made me feel I was making a conscious effort to do something, which helped in itself.

Thanks guys. Still haven't gotten an appointment. They're really busy this time of year. THinking of going to my year tutor and I've talked to my student rep about it.