Aliens, ghosts etc

[AfunaMbatata]

Would you mention experiences of the above to a mental health professional? And if so would they just put it down to some type of mental illness?
Just wondering..

[AfunaMbatata]

Hmm, it seems best to keep zipped then

[sooperdooper]

Op if you're having these kind of thoughts but have a mental health professional you speak to they'd be able to help you :) don't keep thoughts to yourself, they're there to help

How are you feeling today?

[AfunaMbatata]

Oh no I’m fine , I didn’t mean it to sound like I’m having a crisis something.
I’ve been refered to see a psychiatrist or some such for assessment as my GP and DH believe I have a mental illness . Just scared that if they ask something about those things then they’ll think it’s psychosis or that I’m not telling the truth. Idk, just don’t want to be labelled a liar or with some severe mental illness . It all seems such a nonsense anyway.
Hopefully no such questions shall be asked!

[sooperdooper]

I don't think they're likely to ask about those kind of things specifically, but just be honest when you chat to them, they're not trying to catch you out

[AfunaMbatata]

I suppose honesty is the best policy.

Thank you, it is reassuring to hear an outside (and what seems like) a reasonable response .

[PerfectlyDone]

A psychiatrist can only help you if you are totally honest with them.

Full disclosure is the only way they are going to be able to come up with an impression of what's going on and how to help you.

Please do tell them even if they don't specifically ask.

Why have you been referred to see a MH specialist?

[AfunaMbatata]

How do I bring it up if they don’t ask? Going to seem like a right weirdo if I just say “btw aliens..blah”

The referral came about after an incident that involved my arrest.

[PerfectlyDone]

Well, they are likely to ask you something along the lines of "What can I do to help?" or "What brings you here?" or "Tell me what's happened?". You know, nice open questions that invite you to tell your story your way.
There may well be more directed questions a bit further down the line.

I'd love to hear your story

[Nipplesunited]

I have spoken to a therapist in depth about my belief on ghosts. As well as aliens.
They are intetesting subjects that really get my mind going.
They will not assume you are suffering from some form of psychosis because of this.

[PerfectlyDone]

Lots of very intelligent and educated people believe in ghosts and the possibility of aliens.

Personally, I don't believe in ghosts but think that the existence of life elsewhere in the universe is very likely.

[LEMtheoriginal]

Just be truthful. If you have intrusive thoughts it can be a symptom of anxiety - the mind does weird things when on overdrive.

They aren't there to judge you just help you and I imagine they hear some pretty "out there" stuff.

Hope things improve for you soon x

[PerfectlyDone]

Yes, it is very unlikely that you would tell them anything that they have not heard before.
Don't worry about disclosing something that might be a bit out there.

[AfunaMbatata]

Ahh, I don’t do well with open questions, hmmm..

It’s not a belief I have, rather a fact I know , because of things that have happened.

I really don’t think I have some type of illness but I am rather terrified that I will get some outlandish diagnosis if I mention such things?! And then I’ll be expected to take medication for something I do not have?!

[Nipplesunited]

Medication is optional.
You are also not the only person who has had experiences.
I remember telling my therapist about things that happened in my home due to ghosts.
A talking toy being one of them that answered when spoken to.
I have been diagnosed with anxiety and chronic depression. The diagnosis was not due to my belief or experiences.

[AfunaMbatata]

These are things I have experienced all my life though, they are not thoughts. Does that make sense? I feel like I’m just sounding like a loon who barks at the moon.

[AfunaMbatata]

Oh that’s good to hear nipples! I have had medics for anxiety (a couple of them) but they all seemed to cause episodes of rather extreme behaviour.

[Nipplesunited]

No, it doesnt make you sound like a loon.
They are your experiences. Would it help for you to share some of your experiences with strangers first?

[AfunaMbatata]

Medication*

[Nipplesunited]

Anti depressants do that with me too. I argued my diagnosis after years of trying different meds. I was convinced i suffered bipolar due to meds sending me impulsive.
They now question borderline personality, but it seems anxiety is my biggest issue

[JacintaJones]

ok so rationally you know there to be other planets, solar systems and galaxies. So is a belief in aliens more indicative of a mental health crisis than a belief in god(s).

I mean, I have no proof of a heaven in the sky, have you? But I know there's other planets.....

[Pannacott]

Psychiatrists tend to ask about hearing things other people can't hear, believing things other people don't believe or find unusual, or having experiences that they find hard to explain. Given that this is related to an arrest, they will probably ask about the circumstances of the arrest, and what led to it, so your experiences might come out that way.

It's possible that the psychiatrists could think that your experiences come under what they call psychosis. If so, you can ask them what they mean by that, why they think that, and what they usually recommend and why. Sometimes that could be medication, or it could be talking therapies, or practical support regarding social difficulties or stresses that are adding to make a situation difficult.

I would say that honesty is the best policy. If you tell the truth, even if it doesn't make sense to them, they won't think you are lying. They will understand that it is your true experience. Generally they are kind and supportive and want to work with you to deal with any challenges you've got going on. Good luck.

[LEMtheoriginal]

I have a friend who is "psychic" and a witch. She believes in and communicates with "ghosts". It is not something I personally believe in but I don't think she has a mental illness or personality disorder. She is perfectly sane.

If these things are troubling you thpugh. Tell them. Otherwise they aren't relevant. I suspect they are relevant though or you wouldn't be asking?

[LEMtheoriginal]

Religious folk all over the world (myself included) believe in celestial beings. So it's a long way from crazy when you think about it0

[wellyclad]

I spoke to my counsellor about feeling a presence in my house after the death of a close relative, i didn’t feel judged or like it would be used against me.

[wellyclad]

Agree with lem