How Did You Bring Up Your Symptoms To Your Doctor?

[Ed Norton]

Choose a psychiatrist with the same care as you would choose a heart surgeon!!! When I finally got diagnosed. I talked about my depression, anxiety and panic attacks. I mentioned the flashbacks and blanking out, as well as describing what they were like. I mentioned the constant nightmares and night terrors and I discussed my fear of police and how I do not go outside much to avoid any sight ir contact with them.Lastly, I mentioned my delusions but brought in several articles from pubmed outlining psychotic symptoms with PTSD. I was only able to briefly describe my initial trauma as I feel ashsmed and hate discussing it too much.

 

[krimson]

@Echo thanks for sharing your story. I know it will be painful but it is an important step. I hope my doctor is willing to work with me on this, she's been accommodating about my anxiety however not sure how she will take this. Doesn't exactly help this doctor was randomly assigned to me because my family doctor doesn't want younger patients anymore.

@Solara while i am just realizing now what I've been going through, bit by bit I am recalling having symptoms about a year after the fact so I'm not sure if that will influence anything..I find it all so surreal sometimes.

 

[cherryblossom]

I wrote down what I wanted to say, because I knew I wouldn't be able to say it out loud. I literally walked in there, shaking like a leaf and handed him (my Doctor (GP)) a piece of paper to read. He read it, and discussions started very slowly from there.

I have done similar again, and would also do the same thing again if needed. I know that I'm not very good at speaking out loud about what is bothering me. But I also know there are times when I need help, so I resort to writing things down. I haven't yet encountered anyone who wasn't obliging in reading what I'd written, acknowledging how difficult the whole process was for me, and then trying to find a way to talk to me (or get me to talk!), to help me to find a way forward.

 

[roaminggnome]

I also wrote everything I needed to say down. That way I didn't have to remember anything or start the conversation on the abuse. To this day almost 13 years later I write to my therapist and psychiatrist still. I express myself better that way anyway. Best of luck to you.