[iluvdukie1]

Hey, I need some quick advice. I have another appointment coming up soon, and I have a question pertaining to that. I would like to get some answers soon, I am going to the library Thursday and I would like to be able to print it out instead of writing it out.

I feel like I am not explaining my emotions well enough, so I have an idea that might help with this. The other night, I was having trouble getting to sleep because I was thinking WAY too much. During these thoughts, I thought "Why not write it all out at home and bring it in to him, that way I can describe things more accurately."

I was emailing someone a while back, and I sent an email to him regarding my "symptoms". I described it like perfectly, so I think this would really help out. So the question is, do you think it would be a good idea for me to write out some stuff before my next appointment? That way I can give it to him.

I would really appreciate everyone's feedback, I love hearing your guys' opinions! Thanks for helping out!

[Cocosurviving]

Hello. Yes I thinking writing out ur thoughts and feelings is good. I did that when I first started seeing my therapist. I still make short hand notes (things to cover) now.

[liviacat]

Absolutely write anything out you feel would be helpful to cover including sleep patterns, behavior patterns, moods you've noted, also things you haven't noticed or seem absent - go for it!

[moodiegirl]

I also think it's a really good idea. I used to write notes before I went to my therapist, I didn't write everything down or show my notes to the therapist, but the notes helped me to explain things to her. Whenever I felt at a loss for words, I just looked at the piece of paper. If you feel more comfortable just giving the notes to your therapist, why not?

[bunnifoo]

I write stuff out a lot of times. Sometimes it's just a list of things I want to discuss (especially at the pdoc) and sometimes it's ways I've been feeling.

My therapist gave me some mood tracking sheets from her DBT work so I can track how I'm feeling during the week (when I remember, sometimes I forget) and then I make notes on it and when things are bad I can give it to her.

[iluvdukie1]

Thanks for the advice! I think I am going to write stuff down. I will probably end up doing it when I have free time. Thanks again!

[Odee]

Writing things out pre-hand definitely sounds like a great idea! You also have the option of starting a daily mood tracking chart. I can't say I keep up with mine but it may reveal more information that you may forget to mention at the doc.

[iluvdukie1]

I have an app on my iPod for tracking my moods, I remember to do it most nights. Luckily I have good memory, so when I forget I can just fill it out the next day, for both today and the day before. It can get hard to remember sometimes.

Yes, yes, 1000x yes. I wish I had remembered to write stuff down before my appointment! I always suggest it to everyone, whether it's for mental health or a regular doctor. And yet I forgot!! When I went in, my nerves were so shot, I was fidgetting like a madwoman trying to remember what I had planned on saying. So yes. I would write down what's most troubling to you now. What you need the most help with. Everything else can come at a later time, as you go. Good luck & happy trails!

[Odee]

I wrote down my thoughts only once before seeing my psychiatrist and that was the appointment where she changed my diagnosis to Bipolar II. I honestly believe that that is my diagnosis and I am extremely happy we caught this early.

Pretty neat that you have an app for tracking moods!!

[iluvdukie1]

It sounds like it was really helpful for you, that's awesome! It's always good to catch it as early as possible. And haha, yeah it is. You can email yourself a graph, that way you can see how your moods are fluctuating.

[Victoria'smom]

I use this chart for my T. It helps a lot in letting T understand me.

[iluvdukie1]

It won't load, it just brought up a blank page. Either way, I bet it works really well!

[Victoria'smom]

I forgot to say it downloads it so it'll be at the bottom of the screen.

[iluvdukie1]

Ohh okay. I will try to view it when I get my computer. Right now I have a mobile device, so it doesn't load stuff like that very well.

[Blue Poppy]

Originally Posted by iluvdukie1

Hey, I need some quick advice. I have another appointment coming up soon, and I have a question pertaining to that. I would like to get some answers soon, I am going to the library Thursday and I would like to be able to print it out instead of writing it out.

I feel like I am not explaining my emotions well enough, so I have an idea that might help with this. The other night, I was having trouble getting to sleep because I was thinking WAY too much. During these thoughts, I thought "Why not write it all out at home and bring it in to him, that way I can describe things more accurately."

I was emailing someone a while back, and I sent an email to him regarding my "symptoms". I described it like perfectly, so I think this would really help out. So the question is, do you think it would be a good idea for me to write out some stuff before my next appointment? That way I can give it to him.

I would really appreciate everyone's feedback, I love hearing your guys' opinions! Thanks for helping out!

Hi there,

Yes, this is a very good idea for you. My first goal in therapy was to be able to identify my feelings and I did not do so well with "off the cuff".

I write down many things: feelings that I want to explore, questions that I have etc. I also take notes during the session. I have found that when I start to struggle with an issue all over again, that I look back over the notes and it reminds me of a healthy way to handle it.

Good luck!

[iluvdukie1]

That's sounds like it really works for you, that's awesome. I am definitely going to have to try that! Thanks for the input, I really appreciate it!

[Seaswept]

I 100% agree to write down your feelings and emotions, you could even hand him the paper.

I always write notes and questions down on paper before any and all of my appointments and my kid's appointments too otherwise I get distracted and forget once I'm there.

Good luck

[iluvdukie1]

Thanks, I am DEFINITELY going to do that! I think am going to type it up though. That way it looks a lot nicer.