I Have An Appointment To See A Psychiatrist, Any Advice?

[Awakening]

In Australia a psychiatrist is the only one who can officially diagnosis mental illnesses such as PTSD. My understanding is that some psychiatrists do therapy as well but mostly hand out a diagnosis and/or med's.

A psychologist cannot diagnosis or dispense medication but obviously can do therapy. Only a relevantly trained, experienced and registered person can call themselves a psychologist.

However I could start my own business today calling myself a counsellor or therapist with no qualifications or experience.

PTSD has been mentioned to me by 2 GP's and my psychologist but I've finally decided to make an appointment and find out exactly.

I'm curious to know how others have gone with a psychiatrist, particularly when first going and wanting a diagnosis. What should I expect?

I'm also nervous about discussing my traumas with a male. I've never attempted that before, and I've struggled to discuss it with my much trusted female GP's and psychologist. So not sure how to get over that barrier either.

 

[Marlene]

Awakening,

You're going to be asked a ton of questions about the things that are discussed here all the time (dissociation, nightmares, feeling 'frozen' in your emotions and emotional responses, etc.). Also about what situations bring these things on. Be as honest as you can.

I'm not sure what the laws are here in the states (usually each state has its own set of rules and regs for things medical), but my first diagnosis was from a psychiatrist and then my second diagnosis was from a trauma therapist.

Remember one thing...this doctor (male or female) is here to help you. Focusing on the fact that they're a doctor who's trying to aid in your healing rather than on their sex is the best way to go.

Lisa

 

[Seeking_Nirvana]

I seen the same psychiatrist for 20 years and had a diagnosis of depression. Then I stopped seeing him to try and manage on my own. When I decided to go back he was retiring, so I seen his son. I told his son, who is a psychiatrist too, that I thought I had PTSD after researching my symptoms on the internet.

He asked me a series of questions in the the first interview and he agreed it was PTSD and then that was the diagnosis I have had since.

Marlene is correct, as far as my experience went.

Tammy

 

[Grama-Herc]

Some time ago there was a thread about being able or unable to talk to your therapist and how to be comfortable doing so. the one thing that sticks in my mind is when someone wrote that they knew every pair of shoes and socks their T. But could not tell you the color of one of his shirts. Hey, go in, say hello, sit down, start talking and look at his shoes. Can't hurt

 

[Deleted member 541]

Awakening,

All of the advice has been good.....The fact that you have made the appointment shows that you are ready to really start working on things. Great job.

I too feel that having a diagnosis (for me) is important. Each of us are different in that aspect. Some don't care. For me, I had something to grab onto, other than just the thought that I was crazy. there was a name for it, and hope. Even if I didn't quite know what PTSD was 14 yrs ago. I knew what I was going through....And I now had some hope....

Be as honest as you can. Explain (even in writing) if you have to, what you are going through, what you feel, think, the symptoms, how you try and cope with things...Explain it all as best as you can........

You can do this......

 

[Lucky Laser]

I would add to remember that even though they are a psychiatrist you are still in control of what you want. If you don't feel comfortable with a diagnosis or meds they want to put you on, say so.

Also, its okay not to trust them. Any doctor worth going to would not expect you to trust them after just a few visits. So don't worry about getting all your trauma out in one visit. Be patient and let time work in your favor.

 

[Anonymoose]

Be discriminating. Spend at least as much time choosing your psychiatrist as you would spend choosing a pair of shoes or a meal in a restaurant. Try to find one who specializes in trauma if you can, and if the "fit" isn't good, try another.

 

[Claire]

I would go with an open mind. The only experience I have had is one appointment I had to go to to settle my insurance claim. The man was very gentle and easy to get on with. Of course I was apprehensive about going but he put me at ease and the experience was a lot less stressful than I had imagined it might be. I had to answer a lot of questions but he skillfully kept my stress to a minimum. Remember they are there to help you, not harm you and its best to be as open as you can be with them. Good luck.

 

[Awakening]

Well I'm back from my psych appointment.

Talk about the third degree, shesshhh! I was digging my nails in my palms until it hurt.

The verdict? He doesn't have a clue. He is confused by the way I'm presenting, he can usually come up with a diagnosis after one session, but this time he can't. He does not have any clear ideas.

He can see depression & anxiety, but does not think it's PTSD (he asked if I felt traumatised about what happened at 18 and I said no I don't feel 'traumatised' so he says well it's not PTSD).

Yet he feels something else is going on aside from depression & anxiety. His not sure whether this is an undiagnosed illness or just an aspect of my personality he doesn't understand, my perspective, or the string of stressful events close together.

He said I 'changed' multiple times in the session, was I aware of that? No not really. Do you feel confused scattered agitated have losses of concentration unsure of who you are - all definite yeses.

He said I laughed at inappropriate times (nerves!), would appear happy smiling engaged with him, then switch to fearful/about to burst into tears, then switch off completely like I was preoccupied or somewhere else.

He was quite disappointed in himself as he can usually sum someone up quickly. Yet is confident he can get a diagnosis with a max of 2 more sessions (at the prices his charging I can't afford anymore).

He wants to speak to my psychologist to get a greater understanding of me.

He was very apologetic but just doesn't have any ideas at this stage. He said it may be depression/anxiety but he has a 'number of concerns' after our session that he needs to alleviate before making a diagnosis.

 

[linasmom]

Hey Awakening!

Congrats on making it through that psych appointment. I'm a nail digger too! I noticed in my last session I had my arms wrapped around myself and was digging my nails into my arms.

As for what your Psychiatrist told you. I never knew that in order to have a diagnosis of PTSD that one had to actually "feel traumatized" by the traumatic event.

How do you feel about that?

Are you going to go back for the other appointments to get a clear diagnosis?

Best,
Rachel

 

[Awakening]

Well to be completely honest, I'm more confused then ever.

I honestly don't care if I have depression/anxiety, PTSD, psychotic personality or it's all in my head - I'd just like a clear diagnosis so I know what I'm dealing with.

Honestly sometimes I think the whole mental health industry is more clueless then I am!

But really I'm just taking it all in my stride. Sure, I'll go back for another session with him to see what he says. Not sure how my T is going to feel about all this.

Basically I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to feel better.

When I said I had 'thoughts of my uncle being sexually inappropriate but no solid memories', he basically said that if you recall something consciously (not unconsciously or under the influence) then it is generally true. However it is more common to remember how you felt about the event not the event itself. So it's probably true that the feelings I have about my uncle are correct. However there is a danger in trying to 'reconstruct a story'. In other words I may have feelings of shame, then with my adult brain assume that he molested me, when he may have simply 'flashed' me. If I don't remember he does not (at this stage) recommend attempting to remember- he does not prescribe to that theory. He was quite dismissive of it, but to be honest what he said did make sense to me. I feel quite satisfied in not trying to force myself to remember something that may or may not have happened.

As for the rest of it... I really don't know. I feel I'm on the right track though. I feel like everyone is missing something. The something may be 'minor' but I feel whatever it is it's crucial to my ultimate recovery.

 

[Deleted member 541]

Awakening,

I am no shrink by any means, but I think Rachel has a point too. I don't think I ever felt traumatized either. I just sort of accepted, and had sever symptoms.

The other thing.....Isn't *changing* when in a stressful situation sort of the *norm* for us???? Yesterday I was in a stressful situation,(buying a car) and I went from stress, to agitation, to frustration, to almost crying, to feeling overwhelmed, to laughter in the 4 hours I was there. The salesman finally said to me at one point that he understood the stress I was feeling, because he had just bought a home and that was stressful. I just looked at him and said, "Add PTSD to the mix and your stress level would have been tenfold...."

IMO being all over the board with emotions is just sort of the norm for us. I could be wrong, but that's how I get when in stressful situation.....