Seeing a pshyc....

[Ashleigh]

Okay... So in 2 Monday's time I have my first pshyciatric appointment. I would be lying if I said i wasn't scared.
The thing is I've no idea what to expect. I mean I've felt like this for pretty much the past 6 or 7 years and now I'm just expected to open up to someone I don't know? How does that work out?
All I want to do right now is to make a few stripes on my arm to calm me down I just keep freaking out.
Can anyone tell me what I can expect because I just dont know how to deal with this right now.

[Blood]

On your first visit the psychiatrist is just going to try to get to know you. He/she will probably be asking you some questions concerning your life and what is troubling you.

Its natural to be nervous, and its natural to not want to open up at first. But it gets easier after the first couple of visits.

Please don't cut, it won't help anything. I'm here if you need to talk. :hug:

[byee]

On your first visit the psychiatrist is just going to try to get to know you. He/she will probably be asking you some questions concerning your life and what is troubling you.

Its natural to be nervous, and its natural to not want to open up at first. But it gets easier after the first couple of visits. For me, at least.

Please don't cut, it won't help anything. I'm here if you need to talk. :hug:

This ^. +1

Remember that a psychiatrist is a doctor that specializes in making the hurt go away, s/he is on your side and will work with you to feel better. The scary part is almost over, it's the part that you've been living with.

Good luck!

[ksdnfkfr]

I've had a child psychologist and I really liked him a lot. He was really good at making me feel comfortable and was more like a friend than regular doctors or teachers etc. All we really did was just chat and he had me draw a picture of something once in a while. He always knew how I was feeling about stuff. It's really about getting stuff off your chest. It was like that with my school counselor too. The only thing I don't like is the sessions always end too soon.

[Ashleigh]

Thing is though I've seen councillors before and theyve never helped. So what's going to make this any different? :S

[Blood]

Thing is though I've seen councillors before and theyve never helped. So what's going to make this any different? :S

On the basic level, they're both the same. They both try to help you deal with your problems. On a deeper level, a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who went to medical school. They can prescribe you medications and such.

[byee]

I've had a child psychologist and I really liked him a lot. He was really good at making me feel comfortable and was more like a friend than regular doctors or teachers etc. All we really did was just chat and he had me draw a picture of something once in a while. He always knew how I was feeling about stuff. It's really about getting stuff off your chest. It was like that with my school counselor too. The only thing I don't like is the sessions always end too soon.

Nice. +1. FWIW, Ezra gives consistently good advice.

Ashleigh, what might make this different is you, you're different now than you were at those other times. Go into it with an open mind and an eagerness to work with the doc. Therapy is the one treatment out there that requires active participation to work.

Remember, the doc is there to help, s/he's on your side. Try to tolerate the first few minutes of awkwardness as you get to know each other better.

[alwinwarrens]

You need to put your believe in them and put your trust in them that they will make you feel better. I know its easier said then done. But believe me you once you have yoru few visits you will see much more changes in you and the petty thoughts of cutting yourself won't even come to your mind.

[JamesSuperBoy]

I dont think they just expect you to open up, about everything. It can take time for you to feel comfortable and trust.

But you can try to. I hope it helps.

[DemonsAreWhatHauntMe]

I saw one back in Jan for the first time, and during that session they don't expect you to spill your deepest and darkest secrets to them. They simply ask you questions around what has led to the appointment being set up, so they can figure out the best way to help you.
Also if you have brought along a family member or friend, they will ask them about how they see everything that has happened and if they are willing to support you as that is one of the main things that they try to do; making sure that when your out of reach from the Psychiatrist or Counselor that you still have people to talk to when you feel you can't handle something.
At the end of mine, the psychiatrist asked me what I felt I could gain from having those sessions; since it was a few months after the crisis that I had and also that I was 17 at the time, so within a few months I would've been transferred over to a psychiatrist that dealt with adults.

[Ashleigh]

hey guys im sorry that i didnt respond sooner ive had a lot on with work and college.
thank you for all replying and it has made me feel a little easier about the appointment.
its in three days so i guess theres no backing out now... i will keep you all updated as to whats going on.
thank you again x

right so i went to the appointment and talked about stuff and i have officially been diagnosed as being clinically depressed which i already knew but i guess its a lot harder to deal with when you hear it from someone proper? ive been put on anti depressants and they want me to start cognative behavioural therapy which im not entirely sure how i feel about it tbh... we will see how it goes i guess :/
thank you all for your replies and support
ash x