New Therapist/psychiatrist

[Mbb92]

I got a referral from my doctor to a psychiatrist. Today the psychiatrist's nurse called to ask me some questions and then told me that the psychiatrist would review my case. She said once he decided if he wanted to see me personally first or hand me off to one of the therapists then I would get a call in 2-3 weeks and at that point I can make an appointment.

I'm super nervous about talking about what I've been through and tend to obsess over things and plan out my conversations. This tendency is making my panic attacks, blackouts, and flashbacks happen more often now which I might have to live with for at least a month, if you count the wait between scheduling and the actual appointment. Is this length of review time typical in therapy? Or should I look for someone who can see me sooner?

 

[Deleted member 37474]

When I spoke to the person that asks stuff, they sent me to the therapist's secure messaging and had me say my issue there. Then the therapist called me and set up my appointment sooner than the desk had given me. Also, I like the check in stuff. My card is on file, so they just handle that without me having to go up to the front each week.

 

[Keming]

Gratz on moving forwards and finding a psychiatrist! That's a positive step and a very good one.

You wouldn't necessarily be immediately discussing trauma. The psychiatrist is interested in your symptoms, not what caused it. And the therapist wants to see you, mostly. On my intake assessment, I only had to say about ten words about it. - at [this] age, roughly [this] happened. Everything else was trying to discuss symptoms. And lots of silence as I struggled. But there wasn't an interrogation, I didn't have to watch what I said or prove things. Was there trauma? Yes. Are there symptoms? Yes. Done. Mine was a short meeting (maybe 45 minutes), compared to the decades of misery I've endured without help. Worth it.

I don't know if one month is 'long.' Wait times in my part of canada are about five months, minimum. Don't cancel whatever you do. Starting over isn't going to be easier.

So... consider just holding on, and remember that you are moving forward, and you should be proud of that. Every day that passes is another day of You Kicking This Illness' Ass.

Planning and stressing never did me any good. Just stress, no positive outcome. This conversation that's going to happen is just a conversation - soundwaves in air. You can do that.

 

[Nessa7]

That amount of time is pretty normal for a psychiatrist around here. With Easter coming up, there are going to be less slots for appointments, I'd lean towards thinking that they're pretty efficient about getting you in. You probably won't have to wait as long for an appointment with a therapist, because there are going to be more of them. I went therapist shopping recently, and most were able to see me within a week of when I called.

The big thing that I do to get ready for seeing someone for the first time is get everything that you normally need to see a new doctor ready. I have a huge extended family, so the part about my family's medical history is always difficult for me, but it is a mess if I'm nervous.