How long does it usually take to get diagnosed by a Psychologist?

[Guest_523]

Just had my first visit with a new Psychologist and it went well. I am curious as to what I have exactly. The psychologist said he had an idea of what my problem is but did not want to say because it would just feed into my stress. I was hoping that he meant that he did not want to say anything so soon. They can't not tell you correct? I mean a patient should know what he or she is diagnosed with right? See how I am? I am overthinking this and the session even went real well. Man I am a mess lol!

[Guest_523]

Lol the 5 year old comment was a bit rude and snippy of me, sorry to all about that. Yeah I hear you. And that is exactly how he explained it, about getting to know me, I guess in my mind I see things 1,2 3 like a formula and life is not like that. I am strange lol. In my mind I need something to latch onto and then I can work on a specific thing. He had me do the tests, (6 months) and that was easy because he got a chuckle out of my answer because I said I have been feeling that way for 40 years. So I made the 6 month mark lol. Hey thanks for your input and I will try and not be so snippy. Cheers 🙂

[Guest_523]

Mary thanks for sharing that. That is exactly what he is doing, waiting to know me better, he was really a nice person and that is very good. I am impatient. I will always look for something to obsess about and he is just treading carefully. I never sleep well, I cannot turn off the brain, always thinking and trying to figure out every angle, so I can defend the realm. I have to always make things perfect. Make things in order and make sense of it all. Thanks so much for sharing and helping. You are kind.

[Guest_523]

Thanks for your input. Kind regards Rob

[Guest_523]

Thanks for taking the time to give your opinion. Kind regards Rob

[EllieC]

Hi Viking

I know how you feel! I get where psychologists are coming from that it can take time to form a diagnosis and in some cases it can be unhelpful, but I find that I just really want to know everything. I think in some ways it's because knowing its a mental illness makes it a legitimate entity that I'm struggling with and not just some collection of personality failings?

I'm lucky enough to have a great therapist who gets that and patiently explains the terminology and the science behind my diagnosis and the therapies he uses - but this is partly because I have been seeing him for several years now and have developed a style of communicating that suits us both

Hopefully once you have had some more time with your new psychologist you will develop a similar rapport that you're both comfortable with

Ellie

[MsPurple]

Hi Sensetive Viking.

Getting a diagnosis can take time, and it varies person to person. For me when I went to headspace, I was told I had GAD after my first appointment with the psychatrist (note I was seeing a psychiatrist and mental health nurse, no psychologist at the time) however I had a long history. When I was young I saw CAHMS (with ednos, so different issue) and I also had adhd when I was a kid and other stuff. I can not remember if he said I have general anxiety and I interpreted it as GAD however I later saw the screen saying diagnosis GAD so I knew. For me he went over why I felt the way I do. He kinda went over my condition and for me it was very helpful. For me I was super worried finding out because I thought a diagnosis would make me feel worse, but I was suprised it didn't. I guess that was because he explained what it was, why I felt the way I do, and now we know what it is we can move forward and treat it. Feel free to discuss this with your psychologist. Maybe address you concerns regarding not knowing and your stress around that. Maybe explain that you want to understand why you feel the way you do. It may help. I do also acknowledge every professional has their own way and it may also vary patient to patient.

MP

[Guest_523]

Thanks Ellie.

[Guest_523]

Thanks MP, yes I have actually been overthinking it and obsessing about it now, so even though he does not want to label and stress me, it has stressed me worrying that I may not ever get an answer lol. Thanks so much for taking the time to share 🙂

[White_Rose]

Hello Rob

I find meditation helps me greatly. Over time it has enabled me to gain some inner peace. I do spit the dummy at times and get upset a bit more easily it seems than others. But it is not how other people feel and react. For me meditation really works to keep me balanced more than I was pre-meditation.

Just a thought. It will take you time if you decide to meditate to find that inner you. Do not give up after a few tries. Keeping on is as much part of the process as the actual meditation. The routine and discipline this entails to meditate at least once a day, preferably twice, will help you in all sorts of ways. The process is simple but not easy, and the benefit is great.

Mary

[Guest_523]

Thanks Mary