What is a Psychiatrist appt like?
I've got my first appt in the first week of the holidays. I've been to several psychs, but I have a feeling it'll be different.
- How different is it?
- What do I have to document in terms of symptoms?
- How do I let mum know I'd like to be out of the room when she starts analyzing me?
I'm scared, but relieved I'll find out what the h***is going on as I'm tired of dealing with it.....
Feel free to ask questions if something doesn't make sense. 🙂
I'm really glad that you're getting help in terms of going to see a psychiatrist.
Do you mean difference between seeing a psychologist and psychiatrist? Some aspects will be quite similar as they may both do counselling and ask what's going on for you. They both may give you questionaires to fill in to assess your symptoms etc. A psychiatrist though may be more focused on medications that may help and monitoring how you're going.
You don't have to document anything beforehand if you don't want to, but if there are certain things you want to bring up, it can help to make a note so that you remember.
It's your appointment so you should be able to have a say at any time if you feel uncomfortable having your mum in the room and would rather speak to the pdoc alone.
Good luck, and if you have any other questions I'm also happy to answer them.
I've had experience with a few psychiatrists but I've only been to one of them, for a total of one session.
In my experience, that one session was different to first sessions I've had with psychologists - in my psychologist sessions they wanted to learn more about me, my history, my family etc. Whereas with the psychiatrist any background stuff we did was brief (I really don't remember any background questions beyond they 'what brings you here today/why are you here').
Psychologists were willing to talk, but really want to focus on treatment paths and thought changing; with psychiatrists I've found it to be more about thought understanding, so they want you to talk.
Psychiatrist appointments are less structured than a psychologist appointment, while they may have some things in mind that could be good to explore they are happy for you to take over the session on something that is currently relevant.
I hope a psychologist will be better suited to you, I know that the way psychologists seem to repeat everything you already know has especially annoyed you and I've found psychiatrists to be better at talking to you as a person than as lost child.
I'm can't help much with the other two, certainly can't help with the documentation of symptoms.
Since you're not a little child I would imagine that the psychiatrist would either mention to your mother that she can wait outside or ask you whether you wanted her to come in.
If you need to tell your mum, perhaps mentioning on the drive over or while you're waiting, or before you even leave you could tell her to bring something so she won't be bored while she's waiting for you to come out.
Thanks guys!! 🙂 That helps a lot! I'll definitly let you know how it goes. 😄 I'm relieved more than anything.... It's been so long....
Hey Shadow,
If you have had the appointment, I hope it went well... If not I hope this will help...
As I'm sure you are aware, a psychiatrist is a doctor (it can take a VERY long time to become a psychiatrist - 8+ years!) whereas psychologist is basically a "counsellor" (with extra study). So the approaches of both can be quite different. However, I don't find a heap of difference between them altthough the psychaitrist will probably be more interested in "diagnosing you" and wanting to know "symptoms". I actually prefer the "psychiatric" approach - but know others who prefer the way psychologists approach things.
First appointment should be VERY similar. They'll want to build a "rapport" with you so they'll ask you lots of questions about your general background and history of symptoms. They'll also ask you questions about things you enjoy. So it's quite similar to a first appointment with a psychologist.
The psychaitrist will probably take lots of notes during the session. They will also probably give you an overview at the end of the session saying what they would like to do from then on... Whether that's trialing a medication or seeing a psychologist or something else. Don't be afraid to ask questions!
I hope it goes really well - don't forget that it's the same as any health professional... We mightn't "click" with the first one we see! My psychiatrist I have now is AMAZING and I trust him explicitly (he also does some "counselling"), but I saw a few psychiatrists through the public health system and another private one before I found him (it took 3 years!).
MM.
It was awesome- not only did he listen, but he took me seriously and didn't try to blame everything on life events! 🙂
He asked to speak to me straight off, so I didn't have to worry about asking mum to leave- bonus! 😄
Whenever he asked questions such as "Why do you think that?" he didn't dismiss my answers or revert back to the old standby- life events or personality whenever I said I wasn't sure, but instinct was telling me I was right.
In terms of initial questions:
- How old are you?
- Do you live with your parents?
- Does anyonne else live with you?
- If so, how old are they?
- Why do you think you are here?
- Did you have _______ x years ago?
- If not, when dd it appear?
- Is it different now, to how it was then?
And plenty more that I can't remember....
His voice was so soothing too!
He doesn't bulk bill everyone, but his receptionist accidently marked me down for bulk billing! 🙂
Are you going to continue seeing him? 🙂 It sounds as though you felt comfortable with him, so that's fantastic!
I'm really proud of you for going, Shadow. 🙂
Also, my psychiatrist has an amazingly soothing voice too! It's almost freaky lol.
I'm definitly going back!! 😄 My GP gets uncomfortable talking about MH, so the psych'll be awesome in that regard...
I wish he's give me sleep meds though. I'm exhausted and extra time in HSC'll just give me more of a chance to fall asleep! 😞
Going from weekly appts with psychologists to fortnightly with him is a bit tough, but once HSC's over, my psych can help me cope me easily.
JD: I honestly never thought I'd say this, but it's worth the hunt. It really is! Perseverance pays off! 🙂 Gordon Parker's interview with Margaret Throsby was on repeat the entire 3 weeks I was waiting for the first appt. I strongly recommend listening to it.
You sound so positive, shadow. 🙂 I am so happy to see that! 🙂
As for sleeping - most psychiatrists will only give meds as a last resort - and honestly, once you go on sleeping tablets it's often really hard to get off them. I find it more effective to use other techniques like meditation, making sure you have a good sleep-wake routine. Have you checked out the factsheet on RO? There are some great tips on there(http://au.reachout.com/How-to-get-a-good-nights-sleep). I have also recently downloaded some apps on my phone that are helping me sleep... apps like gentle, soothing, relaxing music or noises like rain or rainforests. I find they help me relax and stop focusing on other things going on around me.
Good luck with it. 🙂 Keep being amazing!
I have my first appt with the psychiatrist tomorrow; so glad this thread is here 🙂 Helps put some of my worries at ease a little
Shadow, I am so glad that you look forward to going to see your psychiatrist... I do as well. 🙂 It's a great opportunity to get everything "off my chest".
Does anyone have any advise on 'What if the sessions with a therapist (be it a psychologist or psychiatrist) isn't going down well?'
My solution is the above is to run away, but it isn't a solution at all. I have been told to confront my therapist with the things that is not going down well. Easy said than done.
There are times that we all feel as though things are not going so well in sessions with our therapists. And it's SO important we share what we like and don't like about the sessions we have. It might be only small things but they all add up! And if you have a good therapist, they'll be open to changing to suit what YOU want! It's YOUR sessions after all!
I am not a very "vocal" person so I would probably write a letter explaining what I like and what I dislike about sessions. I REALLY think it's important to include both the good and bad.
I hope this helps...
@Doris wrote:Does anyone have any advise on 'What if the sessions with a therapist (be it a psychologist or psychiatrist) isn't going down well?'
My solution is the above is to run away, but it isn't a solution at all. I have been told to confront my therapist with the things that is not going down well. Easy said than done.
I had problems with my psychologist, but I gave us both space and worked things out. Helps that she actually listens to my reasons, tries to see things from my point of view and accepts that no one knows my life better than me(something my psychiatrist has conveniently forgotten!) He seems fixated on what Mum's said, rather than on what I'm saying. I'm 18!He's just labelled me with "Adjustment Disorder" *rolls eyes* I've read the info sheet he gave me and come to the conclusion this means that he has no idea what's wrong and expected me to fit nestly into a label. I politely gave him my reasons why I disagree, but he ignored me! ;/ I thought the whole point of therapy was to have "honest communication?"
Thanks Shadow and MM
Well, if a therapist is not listening, it is time to move on. I found psychiatrists are the hardest to match up to, meaning it is hard to find a good one. I am still chickening out contacting my psychologist. I conveniently forgotten what I was suppose to confront him about. Yeah...I did forget.
Well, I have a plan!! 😄
If he doesn't work, I'll try the other Psych in the practice! I'm determined to get to the bottom of this as I'm sick of having no answers and fumbling round in the dark! 😕
That's awesome to hear that you're determined to get things sorted Shadow! Hopefully this psychiatrist goes well 🙂 Let us know!
If I was in that situation I would probably try to start up with another one and say exactly what wasn't working with the previous therapist and what you expect to get out of them.
Ok, here's an update:
1. He's slowly reducing the dosage of my current medication- Wish I hadn't agreed to it! My psychologist is bored discussing how scared I am about stopping it and tells me to give it a chance, which is fine, but I'd appreciate some support! how do I know she's bored? I've seen her like this before.
2. Sleep's gone out the window
3. My major work is stressing me out heaps, even though I've asked for help!
4. My Art teacher has turned everything I knew about the subject on it's head and thinks we've all done phototography as a subject- if you can't take good photos, she says they are boring and makes you take more, yet when you show her the 2nd lot, she cntinues to say they aren't good enough and asks you why you took them! Um, maybe coz you made me!!
As for my psych, does anyone have any suggestions on how I can approach the principal to suggest she employ someone else to help take some of the load off? I think part of the reson my psych's bored, is she's stressed! If she's too stressed to take any reason interest, how's that help any of us???
@Shadow wrote:
As for my psych, does anyone have any suggestions on how I can approach the principal to suggest she employ someone else to help take some of the load off? I think part of the reson my psych's bored, is she's stressed! If she's too stressed to take any reason interest, how's that help any of us???
That's interesting insight there Shadow. Looking out for people is great, even if it is suppose to be the other way around.
Talk to a teacher you trust and raise the issue that the professional relationship with the counsellor is not working out and why do you think it is so. Suggest to the trusted teacher the counsellor may need some extra support from the school, nominate the idea that someone should speak with the counsellor without mentioning your involvement in the idea?
You could also leave a note/letter for the principal.
Wow that's sort of a tough situation and it happens to everyone. I do think it is something needs to be approached delicately but really needs to be brought up as it would impacting many people.
