Psychiatrist Appointment - First Time Ever!

[Ms_H]

Hi Everyone,

I have an appointment with a psychiatrist coming up this week - and I am really nervous about it.

Last week my psychologist recommended I speak to my GP, who sent me to hospital. Hospital then sent me to a community mental health centre. I have had one appointment with their mental health nurse and now they have now asked me to come in again to speak to their psychiatrist.

I am exhausted! And so tired of explaining my story over and over again to different health professionals!

This is my first ever appointment with a psychiatrist, and I don't know what to expect or what to ask? I don't know what I'm hoping for either. I guess I'm scared the psychiatrist will tell me I'm overreacting and need to just manage my stress levels better.

I'd love your advice on what to expect from this appointment, and what to ask the Dr.

Thank you,

Ms H

[blondguy]

Hi Ms H

Good to speak with you again!

You are spot on, it is exhausting.Ive seen psychiatrists with my depression and years ago with my anxiety levels.

They are involved on the the 'medicinal' as well as counseling side of our health. They do provide some clarity as well as any meds if needed.

You dont have to really ask anything as he/she will be asking you to talk about yourself and they take it from there

You psychiatrist wont say you are over reacting to anything. They just dont work that way. They will try to provide a diagnosis after a few visits. Whether its a psychiatrist or a psychologist the frequency of appointments will help you heal more effectively.

Let your psych ask the questions and answer the best you can 🙂 Its not a contest or a challenge. He is there to help you help yourself get better.

You are also paying the bill. That makes you a client. His/her responsibility is to help you....that is their primary focus....your health

Have low expectations if you can. Just be an open book and let them do all the work

You are doing well by having all this organised Ms H and good on you.

The exhaustion will pass when the treatment starts to kick in 🙂

my kind thoughts for you

Paul

[Sophie_M]

Hi Ms H, you might find some of the information in this thread helpful:

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/suicidal-thoughts-and-self-harm/first-psychiatrist-appointment#ql8Q5HHzvGGEbv8AAOnT_A

[Ms_H]

Hi Paul,

Thank you again for your advice and reassurance. I had my appointment yesterday, and it was a little frustrating, but I managed. She suggested I go back to my GP for treatment - which upset me, because it was my GP who referred me on to her. I feel like I've been passed on from one Dr to the next, without anyone wanting to take me on as a patient!

Anyway - she has given me a script for Anti Depressants and I will see how that goes. It's my first time taking them, so this is all new territory for me!

Thanks,

Ms H

[blondguy]

Hi Ms H

Thanks for posting back!

Well done on your 1st visit...thats a huge step towards recovery 🙂

Can I ask why your psych asked you to go back to your GP? The only reason I can think of is that your GP usually monitors how you are going on your new meds. I still see my GP every couple of months for a 'fine tune'

The meds a good idea as they provide us with a platform on which we can heal more effectively. This is my 21st year on them and with counseling they have given me my life back

Its great to have you on the forums and we are more than happy to be here for you 🙂

Congrats on your progress Ms H

my kindest

Paul

[Ms_H]

Hi Paul,

Thankyou, as always, for your reply and encouragement 🙂

My GP wanted me to see a psychiatrist as soon as possible, so she sent me to a public hospital, and from there I was referred to a community mental health Psychiatrist. I got the impression that the hospital and the community health center are used to working with higher-risk patients or people who are much more unwell than myself. They all seemed a little confused as to what I was doing there.

I think my GP was probably just covering all her bases, as I know that a lot of people just work with their GPs and psychologists for a treatment plan, without a psychiatrist being necessary. I need to talk to my GP about getting a Medicare referral to see a psychologist anyway - so I might have a chat to her about the best way to handle my treatment.

Do you know how common it is to see a psychiatrist for Depression? I was always under the impression that they are usually reserved for more complicated Mental Illnesses, or for patients who don't respond well to treatment.

I'm so pleased to hear that medication and counselling have worked well for you 🙂 I'm hoping and praying that the meds might clear the mental fog for me, that I can start recovering.

Thank you for taking an interest in my story and recovery. It's such a relief to have the support of others during this.

Ms H

[blondguy]

Thanks Ms H for the kind reply 🙂

The GP's do cover their bases...you are spot on.

The public hospital mental health care staff are actually really good value. I saw a psychiatric nurse for my anxiety years ago. He was a gift.

You feeling out of place is the same way I felt. I felt like I really didnt need to be there as other patients show more severe symptoms than ours......I understand you.

To answer your question. Psychiatrists would be an extinct specie if depression didnt exist. There are tens of thousands of people from all walks of life seeing a psychiatrist for depression.

They are 'usually' there to diagnose and pinpoint whats happening with us and recommend whether or not meds are necessary or not. It can be frustrating sitting there and being asked the questions for sure but they have been trained to help us help ourselves.

Psychiatrists also help people with basic low level anxiety and even relationship problems too

I see a psychologist now with my depression every few months for a 'tune up' instead of a psychiatrist.

Let the psychiatrist do her/his job and work through these initial stages with you. You have so much to gain and little to lose by doing so

Back in the 1990's the public treatment is what I needed and yes it was uncomfortable seeing all the 'other' people that were there for more serious reasons. I was uncomfortable too. (makes us lucky I guess)

I would feel more comfortable seeing the psych you saw today in the public system than a private psych with their Porsche parked out the front of an expensive clinic.......not to mention the woeful waiting times.

The mental fog will clear.....with patience and a strong commitment to help yourself start the recovery process

You are doing very well Ms H. I used to take my phone or my diary with me to help distract myself from being uncomfortable whether in a public or private waiting area. Distraction is a powerful tool when we are in a feeling awkward

you do deserve and will have the peace of mind you are looking for........baby steps right now...

great to have you as a part of the Beyond Blue family Ms H 🙂

you have a great attitude, good on you!

Paul