my first appointment - Mental Health Message Board

typeing · 03-09-2009, 01:45 PM

If all goes as planned i have my first appointment with a psychiatrist next friday. Here lately i have had some severe anger/depression issues, and it is making it hard for me to get along with my family and friends, the simplest things absolutely **** me off, and send me into a downward spiral, and i there have been other issues regarding the dogs in the house.... Because of all this i am not sleeping worth crap, and that is making things much worse. But, i decided that i need to go see a psych, because i am tired of feeling like **** every day, and not wanting to get out of bed. I know i should be concentrating on college, and bettering my education, but i have gotten to a point where i just don't give a crap. Any advice on the first psych visit? I am terrified, and kinda feel stupid. Thanks.

dreams in neon · 03-09-2009, 02:35 PM

Congrats on taking the first step to see a pdoc, typeing! I would suggest that you write down all of your symptoms and when they occur. This will help your pdoc identify patterns in your behavior in order to reach a diagnosis. I would also write out a list of questions that you have for the pdoc about any concerns you have, what your appointments would entail and what their thoughts are regarding meds. If you don't feel comfortable with your pdoc on the first visit, find another. It's important for you to have a good relationship with your pdoc so that he or she can help you feel better. Have you thought about seeing a therapist? A therapist could help you work on anger management techniques as well as coping mechanisms to deal with your depression. Good luck next week! I hope you'll report back and let us know how it goes!

typeing · 03-09-2009, 02:39 PM

Thank you a ton for the advice, will do. For the past week i have been keeping a journal that i plan to show him. Only two things can stand in my way now. 1. huge deductible *fingers crossed on that one*. 2. me being afraid to tell someone like that... That is the reason i don't want to go to therapy, and is the reason i put off going to a psychiatrist for so long. I am exited about feeling better, but am oober nervous, especially since i'm not even sure i can pronounce the dr.s name.

dreams in neon · 03-09-2009, 04:39 PM

Being nervous is understandable, but believe me, what you tell the pdoc won't be anything new that they haven't heard before. I think writing a journal was a great idea and think it would be very helpful if you showed it to him or her. This is what I do when I see my tdoc (therapist). He looks at my journal and tells me if he notices certain patterns in my rapid cycling as well as any triggers I may need to watch out for that may cause cycling.

typeing · 03-09-2009, 06:02 PM

Thank you a ton. I really appreciate the advice and support!