So I have my first appointment with a psychiatrist on monday...

[wooger]

I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with this... and what do they do during the consultation??

Do they carry on like regular drs and just chuck a bunch of tablets at you and tell you to come back in like a month?

Im nervous

 

[Asclepius]

Why so nervous Wooger?

From what I remember you sit down and they ask you alot of questions to ascertain what kind of state of mind your in/have been in. Just asking you how do you respond to various situations and what your history is. It should be no different from a Doc's visit so dont worry. Is it within a clinicians practice or in a hospital?

 

[anterrabae]

They will most likely ask you to describe your history and then ask you why you have decided to see a psych at this point in time. A good psych will not force pills on you and will only prescribe something if that is something you both agree on. Just be honest, say what you think is necessary and don't be nervous, no need.

And keep in mind, you do not need to take their advice if you are uncomfortable with it or feel that the suggested treatment isn't right for you. Also, take your time during the session, they shouldn't make you feel rushed.

Best of luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[cj]

It really depends on the doctor I have had some that sit down and immediatly start talking about SSRIs before you get to open your mouth. Then there are others who never write scripts it just depends on the doctor. Its important to keep an open mind but you need to be your own biggest advocate by that I mean if your not comfortable with the prescription tell them if they dont listen take your business elsewhere.

 

[woamotive]

As someone who has been treated for GAD and panic disordrr for over 7 years: don't be nervous. They will ask you the questions mentioned above, you'll answer,the Dr. does typically bring up ssri's then maybe benzos-depending. As said, make sure to communicate your feelings clearly, if you are comfortable with your prescription (if applicable). They SHOULD listen, and in my experience, they do-if the right Dr.

Good luck! Feel free to PM me.

 

[wooger]

thank you for all your responses!

I'm nervous that I'll be locked up or something...I told my dr about the other day how i did something very irresponsible hoping I would be killed... about an hour later after my appointment I got a call, they want me to go in tommorow instead of monday now.. it's gunna be in a hospital apprently.. grr

and I Have lost all faith in medications anyway, to date i have been on various benzos, trazodone, mirtazapine, citalopram, risperidone, chlorpromazine, stelazine and sertraline.

and they havent done anything to help, the only ones that have helped in the slightest are benzos but i doubt/dont even want those cus I know what I'm like with them...

heh..when we left school our headteacher made remarks about all the students... and what we would be doing at 30. for 30... he wrote 'unemployed... waiting for the medication to work'.

looks like hes prolly gunna be right, hope it makes him happy, cunt.

 

[Asclepius]

thank you for all your responses!

I'm nervous that I'll be locked up or something...I told my dr about the other day how i did something very irresponsible hoping I would be killed... about an hour later after my appointment I got a call, they want me to go in tommorow instead of monday now.. it's gunna be in a hospital apprently.. grr

I was thinking as much Wooger. Listen, dont worry...your obviously not psychotic and they just have an obligation to act accordingly if they believe your life is endangered...so keep it in perspective for yourself hun to make the process easier.

and I Have lost all faith in medications anyway, to date i have been on various benzos, trazodone, mirtazapine, citalopram, risperidone, chlorpromazine, stelazine and sertraline.
and they havent done anything to help, the only ones that have helped in the slightest are benzos but i doubt/dont even want those cus I know what I'm like with them...

Tell the Shrink this...it is for yourself that you are seeing them, it is for your welfare-keep bearing that in mind despite how intimidating it may seem.
You're obviously an intelligent guy looking for a bit of help/guidance.

heh..when we left school our headteacher made remarks about all the students... and what we would be doing at 30. for 30... he wrote 'unemployed... waiting for the medication to work'.

looks like hes prolly gunna be right, hope it makes him happy, cunt.

Cunt is right! Thats a load of Horseshit anyway, Teachers on powertrips is all-fuck em you make your own destiny Woog

Let us know how things go...? keep your head up and be mindful of yourself -no one has any authority over you, no matter what. Just focus on your emotional situation, objectively. Also if you feel you need/want the option of other therapies ask the Psych can he arrange something for you. Good luck again!

 

[Roger&Me]

and I Have lost all faith in medications anyway, to date i have been on various benzos, trazodone, mirtazapine, citalopram, risperidone, chlorpromazine, stelazine and sertraline.

Have you tried some kind of psychotherapy instead of the meds (or with the meds)? Some people really benefit from one-on-one talk therapy.

 

[Thick_as_a_Planck]

Try and be as open and honest as possible... If you're not willing to really reveal your problems, he/she won't be able to help you with them. Opening up is the hardest thing about it, but ultimately the most satisfying. That's my two pence.

 

[wooger]

thanks... so it wasn't too bad - except they drill you with tons of really uncomfortable questions!! I can't believe how direct they are...theres me and these two strangers and one of the first questions they asked was like 'do you prefer sex with men or women'.

they also asked me alot about whether I've ever used drugs... I was really reluctant to admit the extent of my drinking tho..

but anyway, I have to go back... I'm not sure when.. but I am less nervous about going back now I know what its like... the lady is really nice and as it went on I found it increasingly easy to talk to her... next time I have to see the consultant tho I think..I'm not sure if they will be there or not

 

[Asclepius]

Glad it went fairly smooth for you wooger hun
Could you ask/ring someone about that lady and what her role is at the hospital...you didnt get a name by any chance?...might be worth checking out the situation , great when you find someone you feel comfortable enough to open up to.

 

[junkymandan]

my exp....how do you feel? how does that make you feel? how do you feel about that? why do you think you feel that way? in response to whatever you say they will say those things...freudian psychology.......in the end it was your mothers fault

 

[Asclepius]

Some psychologists/Councellor's et al do seem to go overboard on the 'feelings' questions but in reality alot of people's problems can stem from not even being aware, let alone understanding their feelings.

If you are a person who is, for eg. afraid of feelings, or have grown up in an enviroment where feelings are overly, repressed or dismissed; questions from a Psychologist of this natue may often seem overwhelming/intimidating and threatening/intrusive. Some people find it very cathartic as they gain insight into parts of themselves that they would otherwise have been completely ignorant of and/ may have caused them to have severe problems in coping with their lives in a helthier more productive way.

 

[TestOfSanity]

I was pretty much forced to go to a psychiatrist for over a year, it was a bad experience. First off I have no medical insurance, so I went to a state funded psychiatrist. I lied about my drug abuse, because they would've refuse me. My doctor was from india, I could not understand him. It was awkward asking him what he just said 5 times in a row, before giving up and just acting like i understood. That happened multiple times every visit. I told him I had anxiety and panic attacks, he prescribed an anti-psychotic, every time I said it wasn't helping he upped the dose. Before I even went they said I would get free medication, yet every visit he asked questions about why I couldn't buy them at the pharmacy. He was always in a hurry to get me out the door. I could go on and on about how shitty it was.

One day, when I have medical insurance, I will go see a real psychiatrist. One that will actually listen. I'm sure it will be a better experience.

 

[Asclepius]

^I become furious when I hear stories of incompetence like this
That sounds like an absoloutley horrible experience TOS.

I have had my share of experiencing incompetent, medical 'experts'; some within the public health system and some private... but l, thankfully have come across some amazing, wonderful people in this area too.

Some people working in this field are below par alright...it is important to highlight this to a higher authority, they should not be let get away with mistreating people/ being incompetent/unsuitable for dealing with patients. It is good to consider giving feedback to the relevant area, if only for our own sense of self.

I have written on this forum before about seeing a very well paid , well respected Psychiatrist who did not work for me at all. He was in no way appropriate in dealing with my condition and I knew it and he knew it- he wasted valuable recovery time for me. So I hear your grievance TOS.

Good luck with finding someone in the MH Arena who works for you-you deserve it!

 

[anterrabae]

my exp....how do you feel? how does that make you feel? how do you feel about that? why do you think you feel that way? in response to whatever you say they will say those things...freudian psychology.......in the end it was your mothers fault

Hey, I think we saw the same person!! I had such a traumatic childhood at the hands of my mother too! And how dare my mom not let me smoke pot in the house? She told me to use a fan next time. And as for drug use, anything yes, anything, here and there is just dandy.

Also, if she's seeing your best friend's dad, and you tell her something he told her, she'll break all confidentiality and the golden rule of medical practice.

Always be wary when you see shelves upon shelves of Freud...even if they can diagnose you within twenty minutes.8)

 

[TestOfSanity]

I have written on this forum before about seeing a very well paid , well respected Psychiatrist who did not work for me at all. He was in no way appropriate in dealing with my condition and I knew it and he knew it- he wasted valuable recovery time for me. So I hear your grievance TOS.

Good luck with finding someone in the MH Arena who works for you-you deserve it!

Thank you for your post. MY sister has a good mh doc, I will see him once I have insurance. Anxiety runs in my family, my mother and sister are both treated for it, but both have excellent jobs, insurance/money. One of the most frustrating things was that they were getting the help/medication they needed, and I wasn't making any progress. Made me feel like I was the problem. I now know it wasn't me. I guess some docs are just too busy to care like they should, and it's the patients that suffer.

 

[anterrabae]

^^ So true. They can't determine your issues so they make some up. 'You were depressed and then somehow got happy again? You're bipolar'.

The other sad thing about the psychology world is that anyone can get help easily, but when you're on the brink, they won't agree to help you.

The first and only time I saw one therapist, she told me to quit the 'monkey business' which meant cutting and suicide attempts. She said she wouldn't help me if I didn't. And she meant it, she once left one of her patients at the ER and refused to see her again. Oh, and within a half hour she could tell I was Borderline. You know, she could just tell. I've been Bipolar too, Major Depressive Disorder and now Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

I'll never know.

 

[wooger]

^^ one thing that worries me is exactly as you just mentioned anterabae....

when I started uni I was having major problems with concentration... so they wanted to test me to see if I was dyslexic! My friend who studied psychology told me 'bullshit, you have to be careful with these people because they are just trying to diagnose you with anything they can thing of that loosely fits your situation, regardless of whether you have it on not.


Anyway... I have a new appointment on the 14th of july with Dr so and so and some other lady as well...god knows how it will go!!

 

[thenugg]

our ancestors i mean primitive ancestors didnt need psychiatrists they needed, good food, good sleep, good sex, and good exercise. try this before visiting a psychiatrist. u might feel like a brand new person. the psychiatrist only makes u feel psycho and justifies ur negative beliefs in your problems. which is most likely depression and/or anxiety. which can be cured by those holistic things listed above. its working for me... takes time and dedication and positive thinking. hope this helps. =/