Hm, well, unless your flatmate is a psychiatrist, I would cheerfully ignore any thoughts she might have - I found there was nothing more infuriating than well-meaning people suggesting all sorts of other things that might be wrong with me, instead of just trying to accept what I had been told by my doctor - who had a much clearer idea of what was actually going on and was qualified to make a diagnosis.

I think there is a big difference between the US and the UK, and the majority of people here are in the US. My first meeting with a psychiatrist was an emergency appt, packed off to the hospital by my GP, so I guess I queue-jumped and probably got more time because of that. But my next appts were pretty short and also pretty useless - saw somebody different who was clearly just doing his requisite 6-month rotation in psychiatry, so I think I knew more than him. Now that you have been seen, is there any chance you will be assigned a CPN? - I found that more useful initially, and mine did spend more time with me, an hour at each appointment - I could see her as frequently as I wanted. Maybe something to discuss with your gp too? - find out what other support there might be for you. Here in the US now it is different, and I think I am more aware that I am directly paying for my pdoc's time so I am entitled to that time, instead of being embarrassingly grateful for any small crumb of attention that may be paid to me because I didn't really deserve it... hm, that's maybe just me though!

Look after yourself ((((Miss L))).