Quote Originally Posted by NavyDiver View Post
Chatting with your GP is often the best start! Or finding a GP that fits you if yours doesn't rock your boat!
Absolutely, and this applies to your entire support network. A decade and a half ago I was suicidal. I was referred to a psychologist who's first challenge was "So, go on. Don't talk about it, do it then!". I can see where she was coming from (*now*) but back then that wasn't what I needed to hear. Doctors of any kind are like shoes. Sometimes you need to try a few on (since we live in the land of #metoo, I want to be clear that's in the metaphorical sense) before you find the right fit.

Even then, I went to the same psych for 15 years, but when my son died it became clear she wasn't the right fit anymore (and we both agreed on that). My GP referred me to a guy who is ex-special forces and specializes in PTSD. I don't have PTSD because after 15 years of help I had enough introspection to know I needed help with the trauma and my GP knew enough to believe me. The process to deal with the trauma wasn't "nice", but it worked and I no longer need to drink myself to sleep every night. There is no longer any trauma to harden up as PTSD.

I still need help to get/stay asleep at night, and for me promethazine hydrochloride does that. It's a generic antihistamine. In me, doesn't build tolerance, isn't addictive and works. I started taking it topically when I was 25. I started taking it every night when Callum was diagnosed and I was taking enough (in concert with Jamesons) to tranquilize an elephant for years. About 6 months ago a pharmacist told me "less is more" and I tapered off from 75mg to 10mg. He was right (for me). If I stop it cold turkey it progressively takes me 4 nights to get back to a sleep rhythm. When **** gets bad I get back on it.

My GP said "if that works for you, it's not addictive, doesn't build tolerance so just go for it". It works for me and has done since about 2000 (mostly) on and off.