How can a psychiatrist help me?

[Orange Phone]

MyWillow: Thank you for sharing this partof your journey. I can never really explain what trauma therapy is. Why it is is so hard and frankly brutal. I used to wonder what it is like for other people and some of what you wrote, I have had similar things.

My psych doc is not a "talk" person but she is very kind and compassionate. My T is away next week and I asked her to be available if I need someone to talk to. And she said yes. I drive an hour to see her when I need. And she is SO worth it.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Had (another) rough session with my psychologist on Tuesday. In session, I'm still battling dissociation with no memory for anything I'd class as trauma, some very disconcerting co-conscious experiences and dissociative flashbacks. Outside therapy I'm working myself into the ground trying to avoid (yep trying to fix this), having some inexplicable visual and olfactory flashbacks, sleeping poorly and my nightmares are extremely realistic - more like flashbacks - but, again, with no attached memory. I told all this to my T and she gently noticed that my hands were shaking when I was describing the olfactory flashbacks, which are very distressing and don't make any sense. Probably a smidge of anxiety and depression as a consequence but let's not talk about that because then it might be true ;)

Anyway my T asked if I'd thought about talking to a psychiatrist about my dissociative symptoms. She gave me a recommendation - said she's a bit "quirky" but her clients that she's sent to her have liked her - so I've made an appointment with my GP to get a referral. My T and GP understand that I really am not keen on medication for anxiety as I really do seem to get side effects to most everything. And I really don't need another layer of sh!t to deal with.

My T is away for a month so I can't follow up with her....how else can a psychiatrist help me if they are not doling out drugs? Is it just that she might have a better knowledge of dissociative symptoms than my T? Can she make me feel a little less crazy? I'm just so weary of explaining what's going on (can describe the what but no idea why) and I am very wary of medical specialists. I really like my T and my GP but I'm only just realising how little I trust people. I am fiercely independent.

I'm fine. I'm fine. I'm fine.

My guess is that she could be of the opinion that a life line ( pdoc)while she’s gone is a safe way to leave you- and a visit gives you a connection in her absence and more med info. When I was caving w anxiety and dissociation, my T wanted me evaluated by pdoc and informed about meds, pdoc decided it was prudent to get a cat scan after taking my history-w a neurological/ memory/psych history to rule out neurological stuff. Got good info. As a result.
No dementia-seen in car scan-a stress reliever w my lousy memory!
But filled the prescriptions and decided to have drugs on hand- in case-for later if I changed my mind- became better informed. Meds do the same to me- I’m sensitive - meds are still in the drawer as an option. I’m good with that.

 

[MyWillow]

Ugh. I hate this shit. But I know it’s good for me.

Triggered with my psydoc, with my equine psychologist, with my GP and even at trauma sensitive yoga.

Why can’t I be a successful professional every day damn it!!! OK, slightly rhetorical question.

My partner asked to meet with my psydoc who I see weekly. I dissociated for half the session but she showed him how we work on grounding and was extremely encouraging when he said he wasn’t sure what to do. It’s really helped his confidence and our relationship- he’s stepped up like I could not have believed. He’s taken over ALL contact with my family. And makes sure I eat and sleep.

Bless my dear dogs and cats. And Valium lol

 

[MyWillow]

MyWillow: Thank you for sharing this partof your journey. I can never really explain what trauma therapy is. Why it is is so hard and frankly brutal. I used to wonder what it is like for other people and some of what you wrote, I have had similar things.

My psych doc is not a "talk" person but she is very kind and compassionate. My T is away next week and I asked her to be available if I need someone to talk to. And she said yes. I drive an hour to see her when I need. And she is SO worth it.

Carolyn Spring has a great trauma therapy blog. I’m not DID like she is but I can really relate. It’s like having to re-break a bone and healing it properly. f*cking painful just about sums it up. But hopefully I’ll be able to walk properly one day instead of stumbling through life.

 

[knuckles]

Carolyn Spring has a great trauma therapy blog...

Just had a look on her website and read one of the blogposts. Don't have the words to describe my reaction, but react I did. Potent reading that's for sure.
Thank you for mentioning her @MyWillow