First Psychiatrist Visit Ever / So Many Issues To Mention

Izzieste · ‎26-09-2020

Hi everyone,

after struggling with mental health pretty much my entire life (I'm now in my 40s) I have finally accepted my GPs referral to a psychiatrist.

I've always felt a sense of being disconnected from everyone. I am highly sensitive to people as well as noise and bright lights. I feel drained after being around people or in brightly lit and noisy shopping centres. I also feel very stressed and anxious in a messy room or office.

I'm afraid of heights, being immersed in water (so no pool, ocean, boats or water-based activities), bridges, spiders, snakes, medical procedures and I am claustrophobic.

I do not cope well with chaos, which is making life and work very challenging because there no longer seems to be a lot of stability in life or work. I feel a bit calmer when there is order and structure, routine. I have low self-esteem, body image and trust issues. I have a type A, perfectionist personality and very high expectations of myself and life. I feel angry and frustrated all the time and emotional outbursts, after which I feel mortified and embarrassed. I've gradually been withdrawing from people to the point where I no longer see anyone outside work and my family lives overseas. I avoid dating completely as well because it seems like such a huge effort with a lot of risk of rejection and being on an emotional rollercoaster.

I have a feeling I have lifelong GAD and depression, but for a while I've been feeling like there is more going on, like a mood or personality disorder. I've been taking medication for a few months but don't feel like it's helping me enough and overall my mental health is rapidly declining. I can't afford to lose my job so I feel like I have no choice but to get a proper diagnosis to help my GP and psychologist work out what approach might work better for me.

At the same time, I am very nervous about what a psychiatrist will say. I have so many issues I don't even know where to start. Should I make a list before I go to maximise my appointment time? Do they just ask questions or do any other assessments? Can they force you to go to hospital without your consent? My gut feeling tells me I need to just stop thinking about it and just go, but it's a bit nerve-wracking at the same time.

Izzieste · ‎03-10-2020

I have finally been able to get an appointment with a psychiatrist, but it's not until next month unfortunately. The idea is to have a psychiatric assessment done that will be sent to my GP and psychologist for them to continue managing my mental health. I am quite nervous about it, even though I requested it.

The idea that someone can assess and diagnose me within 1 or 2 appointments is daunting, especially after a lifetime of mental health issues and input from several GPs and psychologists. I guess I just have to assume that, as a medical specialist, psychiatrists know how to recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health illnesses and disorders and can read between the lines when you're not sure how to explain what is going on. I hope it will provide me with an understanding of what is wrong with me and what I can do to feel better.

missep123 · ‎03-10-2020

Proud of you Izzieste!

I know that it can feel daunting or nervewracking but please know that we are here for you every step of the way.

With diagnosis I have been told that it can possibly give comfort or strategy in what to do next. Please know that you can always book in to get a second opinion also.

Please tell us go you go!

smallwolf · ‎03-10-2020

hi.

My GP referred to me to a psychiatrist some time ago. I see my psychiatrist every 2 months to check-in and make sure things are going ok. Luckily for me, I also get on well with mine. She also leaves most of the talk therapy to my psychologist. It may seem scary when you know that on some date you are going to see them. On the other hand you might get some answers you have been looking for. In talking with her there is also validation of my thoughts given experiences. And then I also get new ways of thinking about situations and ways of coping as well.

geoff · ‎04-10-2020

Hello Cozza3220, are you able to start a new thread by asking this question, then it won't get lost and people will be able to reply to you.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

geoff · ‎04-10-2020

Hello Izzieste, the psychiatrist may review the medication you're taking and want to change it, that's up to them to decide on, and for them to send you to a hospital would only be if you were at risk of hurting yourself.

Whatever is said only means that the person you feel comfortable with to freely disclose what's troubling you is the person to counsel you, unless your situation is not getting anywhere.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

White_Rose · ‎04-10-2020

Great to learn you have made an appointment with a psychiatrist. A month seems like a long time but if the psych wants you to go more often he/she will organise this. It's always the first appointment which takes the longest to attend. It's also a long appointment in order to get the necessary information.

While there are many issues for you to discuss you will find the psych will be able to extrapolate the root causes in a relatively short time. Many of your difficulties probably come from a common root cause and this is what the psych will work on with you. At least this is how I see it. The psychologist will help with specific strategies.

I think it is important to discuss your medication. It can have such a huge effect on what and how you manage your life and needs to be a good fit for you.

Mary

Izzieste · ‎09-10-2020

I've had my first appointment with a psychiatrist. Thankfully she was very caring and supportive. She gave me some helpful tips on little steps I can take to cope better. I gave her lots of notes and she had also received a letter from my GP and psychologist, so she's going to write up her recommendations for my GP. Not sure what the outcome will be but I'll talk to her during my follow up appointment.

On a side note, does anyone know whether they do up a separate letter for work to state what I need or do you have to authorise your employer to talk to your doctor?

missep123 · ‎10-10-2020

Hi Izzieste!

I am so glad to hear that it went well and that she was very caring and supportive. You should be so proud of yourself for attending the appointment despite feeling nervous! Please continue to keep us updated. As you can see we really care about you here!

With regards to the letter, I may be incorrect but I believe that your employer would need to be authorised to speak to your doctor. If you speak to your GP about it then they should know the rules and regulations which is good!

Izzieste · ‎10-10-2020

Hi Missep,

thank you. I know work can't talk to my psychiatrist without my consent, but I am very reluctant to give it to them. I would prefer to get a letter from the psychiatrist to give to my employer, outlining what adjustments I need in the workplace to be able to cope. However, I'm not sure whether this is possible.

smallwolf · ‎10-10-2020

Hi Izzieste,

Hope you dont mind my thinking out loud... Wondering what sort of adjustments you need at work for coping. In one of your earlier posts you remarked about needing organisation and not coping well with chaos. To some degree, both of my jobs are chaotic. That is because each day I do not really know what I have to deal with. Previously I would think "what crap do I have to deal with today!". In the years since I started seeing a psychologist (as well as a psychiatrist) I have been working on assertiveness, rocking the boat, speaking up, and other things like lists - which might seem obvious but helps in other ways as well when you have to tell your boss you are overwhelmed with the number of tasks to be done and which to do first etc.

On the perfectionism (and talking about myself here).... that was (and is me now) to a (lesser degree) degree. Setting expectations that are too high for ourselves will only lead to thoughts of failure. Because anything less than perfections is not good enough. Here, I have had to learn that it is OK to make mistakes. And mistakes are an opportunity for growth and learning.

On the letter.... you can only ask your psychiatrist to write a note and see how they respond. Does your work know that you are seeing a psychiatrist yet?