Unsure what to tell my psychiatrist in my yearly check up next month

[MisterM]

Hi all,

The psychiatrist that prescribed me my medication wants a check up with me next month.
I have been on medication since Feb 2015.
I felt the medication worked well for 6 months then I went back to how I was before the medication.
The moment where I relapsed coincided with workplace bullying and being fired from two jobs as well as stress from family.
So I am not sure if me relapsing is due to the medication not working anymore or life stresses being too much.
My psychiatrist said he wanted to get me off the medication after one year.
Do I just say to him that I am not sure if it has helped and let him decide?

[Zeal]

Hi Mister M,

Be as honest and open as you can with your psychiatrist, as this is crucial for your treatment/therapy success. Medication can help control symptoms of mental illness, but is not infallible. My SSRI meds are essential for my mental health, but don't completely prevent my anxiety from surfacing. I have been on the same meds for over 3 years, and have found that my anxiety does get the better of me when life events become too much. The fact that your relapse occurred when a lot of stressful things were going on in your life indicates that the life events were largely responsible. I don't know you personally and I'm not a medical professional, so this is based on my logic and basic knowledge of AD's.

Talk to your psychiatrist about all your concerns, and explain your relapse and the events surrounding it. Good luck with the appointment!

Best wishes,

SM

[MisterM]

Thank you SM.
I am just going to say, I feel it has failed. I still self loathe, get easily hurt by comments, lack motivation and direction in life.

[Zeal]

Hi again Mister M,

You are the one best placed to know what is and isn't working for you. Perhaps your psychiatrist can prescribe you an alternative medication next month.

I hope this month goes as smoothly as possible 🙂

Best wishes,

SM

[MisterM]

Thanks SM.

[Paul]

Hi MisterM

I am very much with SM on what has been said about being open and honest with your psychiatrist. If you tell them what you think they might want to hear, it's probably not going to do you any good emotionally and it definitely won't help you move forward.

I know you're a sensitive guy but don't be afraid to tell your psychiatrist absolutely everything - they don't judge.

Paul

[MisterM]

Thank you Lats.
I think I should write down how I feel about my medication before going in to the appointment.

[Paul]

Maybe write down how you feel about everything before you go in.

[MisterM]

So after my appointment this week my dosage has been increased as my psychiatrist was still concerned that I am still suffering social anxiety, generalised anxiety and depression (even though my depression is better than it was before medication).

[Paul]

Hey MisterM

Thanks for letting us know. I guess it's a bit of a waiting game to see how the dose increase goes.

I hope it goes well and keeps things more stable for you.

Paul