[Homeira]

Hi! I have realized over the past months that when I see my doctor, I tend to minimize my symptoms. So I give the impression of coping better than I actually do. I put on a nice outfit, wash my hair and put on make-up. So I dont look to be completely down in the dumps. But then I get home and I sort of crash, because I made such an effort to look better than I actually am. When I see my psychiatrist, I am more honest, but, I really need my doc to know what is really up with me also!

[sorand0m]

It's easier to put on a brave face and ride through it than it is to tell the truth most of the time.

My doctor often asks me how I'm feeling and it's just 'I'm good'. Now, if I was to tell my doctor how I was really feeling I know where I'd end up. On the other hand, I'm more open with my psychiatrist. After all, she's the one dealing with the meds that help me function.

I still play better than I am most of the time, though. Maybe we just don't want any more scrutinizing than we already have on us?

[MyUsername1111111]

For me it depends on the person. For people i perceive as close-minded, judgmental or conceded, i tend to only share with them what i know will better my position in their mind.

For those who are genuinely concerned about me or interested in my thought process, i am a completely open book.

But in general, i feign my positive emotions fairly often. My sister emotes a lot, and i have learned from her how tone inflection and energy can really positively influence others perception of you.

It also depends on how much value i place on the person i am interacting with

[winter4me]

You might want to send your doc. a note/email if possible, or have him/her contact your psychiatrist to have a better picture of what is going on. I too tend to "buck up" for the doc.

[pippin1]

Yes.
I have been pretending for a very long time now.
I also dont say what I really feel like to my doc for fear of her putting me in the hospital.

I do the same thing, Homeira. And on the way home, think of all the things I should have said…
(but just with my psych, as with my regular doctor, conveying psychological stuff actually never occurred to me.)

(Have I mentioned that I really like your avatar? 'Cause I do!)

[Sunnyhunny00]

I always make things seem better than they are. I had a super crappy counselor. There were times when she didn't know what to say. Lmao.... I hadn't even gotten into the real stuff yet.
I started turning questions around. "What made you decide to be a counselor?" "Why don't you know what to say?"

Once I did really try to talk, She said she had to take my case to the "higher ups" because she didn't know how to talk to me or know what to say. In the end, she told me she doesn't handle cases as severe as mine. She let me go of my meds and walk around thinking I was going to save the world...

....After I hid from the government who was out to get me

She was a counselor for someone that was grieving, or having a hard time. Not someone with a true mental illness.

I don't know why they had me see her. The entire thing was a joke and I ended up off my meds for 6months