Speaking to professioanls is OK. I initially saw a clinical psychologist, who was OK, but after a while (say 2 years), it gets stale and you have heard it all.
Moved on to a psychiatrist, (continuing the psychologist) who unlike the psychologist prescibes drugs.
I was much more comfortable speaking to the psychologist, mainly given he was a white male of similar age to me.
The psychiatrist was an asian lady much younger than me, eminently qualified, but she had no idea what my normal life would be like, much less my abnormal ife.
Maybe 10 years down the track, after several gaps with seeing the psychologist, I haven't been since Februarry, because it got back to "I've heard it all before"
Seeing the psychiatrist every 2 months, because I have to as she controls the drugs, but making an effort to make her talk more. It is good because the psychiatrist visit is only half an hour so you don't have to think of as much to talk about.
**** the stigma, you should be applauded for seeking help.
There is nothing to be ashamed about by admitting life as you have been handed is impossible to cope with.
And I'm about 10 months in to being better than I have been in years
