Private Psychiatrist

[topsi]

Am just mulling over the idea of seeking some private help. I suffer from generalised low mood/ slipping into depression and difficulty sleeping. This has been going on for many years but probably has been worse since the birth of DS now 3.5yrs.
I have turned away from regular AD since starting on some St Johns wort and various other supplements about a year or so ago.
The depression is better and my sleep has improved although has its ups and downs.
I am still constantly shattered though. I don't enjoy my life really at all. I find being a mum very difficult and a constant stress and strain.
I am not sure what else I can do to help myself, i eat well, go to bed early am on a course of CBT which I am not rating highly.
I used to see a private therapist which I may start doing again when the CBT has ended.
I am very lucky to have come into a bit of money and wonder if it would be of any use spending any of it on some private advice.
Maybe a psychiatrist but they would just want me to go back on yet another AD.
Maybe a nutritionist specialising in MH, I have a strong belief that our bodies don't work propperly if we don't put the right things into it.
Anyone any ideas?

Maybe a life coach, personal trainer to get me exercising again??
Just wish I could put my finger on what is wrong with me

Hmmm it's a tricky one, isn't it? If money's not a problem then I'd say go for it.

As you know, I went for a private consultation with a psychiatrist specialising in sleep, which I did find very eye-opening and helpful. However, one appointment can easily lead to another and I feared it would become a bit of a money black hole.

A lot of their patients are covered by private medical insurance so money is no object and they throw all the most expensive tests / investigations at you.

It's so hard to know what professional would be best to see, isn't it. They probably all would help in some way. It's just finding the one that would help the most.

Certainly exercise would be a great start. Is there a friend you could go jogging with, who could motivate you?

Topsi, as I understand it psychiatrists are limited to diagnosing 'conditions' and prescribing medication. I think that would be the same with a private one. It sounds like you have pursued that previously.
It may be that you need something more holistic. The thing that helped me most in the past was a psychotherapist who also did Alexander Technique. Sounds weird, but by working through the body it was a completely different way of dealing with emotions as opposed to psychoanalysis which is a largely a mental process of trying to work out why you have various problems due to childhood etc. (speaking very generally, here!). That woman was great for me, saw her for about 5 years and I completely changed during that time. Think she has retired now sadly as I could do with it again following the birth of my DD! But anyhow, even something like a regular massage with a really good person could be helpful. Also worth considering acupuncture which balances energy in the body (again need to find someone really good). Often it's as much about the therapist themself as what they do.
These things are fairly pricey but not compared to a private consultant. You could also be right about nutrition though and it could even be something like a food intolerance dragging you down just below par.
Of course you need to be careful with the so called 'complementary' therapies as they can be dodgy (ref. Lela's post re hypnotherapist experience - terrible).