Hello, I am new tho this community so far, but I just wanted to tell you that you are not alone with your feelings! I, too, suffer with chronic pain issues, but have not yet been sent to a psychiatrist....but I feel that discussion will be coming soon with my primary doctor. I had recently lost a 12month insurance program I was on because I'm in the middle of a disability appeal to the appeals council right now. Things are getting harder to deal with ontop of the pain. Stress starts to arise & I am starting to get so stressed out I feel I am growing more depressed by the day. And that's not something like I like to admit! I'm sure you having to go see that doctor would make you nervous, it'd make me nervous too! Sometimes people don't realize how they really feel until they actually start talking about it to actually admit it. Denial of things comes in many different ways. That's my opinion, anyways. I hope you get things figured out, pain, stress, limitations, that get to you everyday, sometimes better & sometimes worse. And mental & emotional stress can play into your physical pain. Until I started reading a lot into my conditions, a lot of that kind of stuff was stated. I am starting to honestly admit things to myself that I never would have before. Disability is a long hard road. It also makes me feel a little worthless at times. It makes you no less of a person though. Just because I miss the days I was very social & went to work full-time & supported myself, I feel that way sometimes. I miss just getting out, having friends to have fun with, associating with the public. I have been unemployed since Sept. 26, 2009. My life is totally opposite of what is once was. I live a very secluded life now, no friends that I hang out with. I'm 32 years old & I find it hard to just take care of the housework by the week! I feel horrible & I know there are a lot of people out there dealing with a lot of the same issues. Hopefully it will make you feel better to let some things out talking to that new doctor. And hopefully it will help you understand how those feelings can flow into your everyday pain & moods. I know you are looking for answers & some communication with support. I, too, could use both. I'll give you a shout out & request your friendship & if you like we could talk some more about how things are going with you & your new doctor. I would be curious, myself, to know how those sort of things go. Keep your head up, it sounds like you are trying to tackle school also? You sound very strong & I hope things will get better for you. Just wanted to reply to you post. Hope to, if you like, talk to you another time. Ok. Take care of yourself & keep your head up!