First time to a psychiatrist..

[Just...Will]

My psychologist told me that I probably have moderate to severe depression and referred me to a psychiatrist, and I'm kind of freaked. I'm not entirely sure what to expect, what they're going to ask me, and what the meds feel like, because that's the route that my psyhologist said they're probably going to take, or what the therapy is like. So I want to know. Thanks in advance for the help.

[Maverick]

I've been to quite a few psyciatrists with my mom. Don't be freaked. It won't be that big of deal. Appointments with them usually don't last very long. They usually aren't therapy sessions as that's what your psycologist is for. He is basically going to put you on some medicine then your next visit he'll ask how it's doing and make changes to your medicine if necessary. It's pretty painless and will be over before you know it.

[Everglow]

I was diagnosed with moderate depression and anxiety disorder five months ago. I'll be honest, I hated my therapist, my depression and a lot of other things too....Even before my therapist diagnosed me, I hated seeing him..and I still do to this day/ He put me on Zoloft..50mgs..NO FUN!! The first week or so felt wicked, like there were two of me split inside my head. One observed me, the other was a zombielike emotionless thing that sat through school. I also woke up shaking for the first couple of days. I was on the meds for about a month till I had a terrible relapse of self harm that was caused by the meds. This happened because after a while, I began to feel numb, uncomfortably numb. I needed to feel something different because numbness hurts, so does depression. This happened in May (I was diagnosed with depression in Jan, but he put me on meds in April...my parents and I didn't think I needed them so we declined medication...If you're 18 or older, you can make that decision for yourself, I'm a minor so that's why I had to have parental consent)...My depression got to the point where my therapist felt that medicine was absolutely necessary, so at that point my parents did too. I hope your experience with therapy and whatnot is much better than mine was and still is...If you feel comfortable talking to me about this more, I'm more than happy to do so, just shoot me a pm and let me know :)

[Just...Will]

Thanks, guys.

What else should I watch out for once I go on meds? I'm tempted to ask that I be supervised for the entire first few days, by my parents or whomever, because I've had suicidal thoughts, no previous attempts, and am afraid that they might... well.

No one else noticed, or did anything about at least, that I was depressed. I talked to my therapist about it of my own accord. Now my mom is treating me completely differently. I'm trying to keep it from as many people as I can because I don't want the stereotypes. But for those who find out, is there a way to make them stop treating me differently?

I'm not as freaked about the psychiatric evaluation as I am about the meds, but I am afraid that I'll be too afraid to open up, or that I'll be straightforward and blunt to the point of foolishness (I can observe myself very well. It's almost like I can act as a third party - even when I'm pissed out of my mind I can still think rationally, kind of - I won't act on my rational thinking, i'll act on the part of me that's thinking irrationally, which is annoying as hell.) I'm worried that since I describe the symptoms with such accuracy (I fit the textbooks almost perfectly) that they'll think I'm faking just to get the pills. How can I keep that from happening.

Thanks a lot for the help!

[Bobby]

Just someone then watch you take them whenever you take them, that way it's witnessed by someone else.

[Maverick]

Don't think so much. Just be yourself and tell the truth. That's all you can do.

[Everglow]

With all anti-depressants there is the risk that suicidal thoughts will increase and/or intensify. I don't really know what triggers this from occurring, but it might steam from the realization that one is on medication to help with the depression. Most people who suffer from depression, myself included, never thought they had a problem to begin with. Consequently, the need for medication signifies a weakness of the individual on the meds. It seems to be a reciprocal effect, in which the meds are prescribed to help, but some people with depression don't see the drugs as helping, or rather needed agents.

With that in mind, my advice to you is that if you do experience increased or amplified suicidal thoughts that you tell someone, your therapist in particular, what you are feeling. :)

[Just...Will]

The appointment is tomorrow (July 5.) Any last bits of advice?

[Everglow]

Go in with an open mind. I wish I had. I was stubborn and didn't think I needed to see a therapist for my problems.

Take a deep breath when you get there and another one as you walk in to see him/her.

Talk calmly and slowly. It helps, really.

Sit in a comfortable position. Sounds lame, but you need to minimize things that will annoy you, because if you don't, it'll make things more uncomfortable for you.

Be honest about your feelings and don't be ashamed of them. The therapist is only there to help.

Good luck :)

[Just...Will]

10mg Lexapro (escitalopram) taken before bed daily.

[Everglow]

10mg Lexapro (escitalopram) taken before bed daily.

I'm sure you're already aware, but the most common side effects reported with Lexapro are nausea, insomnia, problems with ejaculation, prolonged drowsiness or sleepiness, increased sweating, fatigue and decreased sexual tendencies. Other important information that you may want to look at can be found http://www.lexapro.com/about_lexapro/side_effects.aspx?prevNav=nav1

You're probably taking it before bed to ease the sleepy factor that you'll get from takin the meds and so you won't be tired throughout the day if you take them in the morning.

Anti-depressants are very powerful drugs and long term side effects are not fully understood at this point in time, so I also want to advise you to only take the perscribed number of pills per day. Don't take any more or any less. Good luck with the meds :)

[Just...Will]

Thanks a lot. :)

[Everglow]

Thanks a lot. :)

No problem man! I hope all goes well for you. If you ever feel like you gotta talk to someone about it, you can talk to me :)