[ShootingStar81]

Hi. I hope this is allowed here. Um, okay, obviously, I'm new here. I have not been officially diagnosed with BP, but for the past, oh, eight - ten years (since about my sophomore year in high school), I've been dealing with mood swings, highs and lows, ups and downs ... you name it, I've dealt with it. I didn't ever think that it could be BP.

But lately my big dark hole of depression seems to be ever-present, suffocating even, so I started doing some research, and that's how I found this forum. Everything you guys are talking about is exactly what I've been going through. I'm making an appointment with a psychiatrist as soon as possible, because I am tired of not being in control of my emotions. Is there anything that I should expect? I've never seen a psychiatrist before, so I'm a little worried.

Thanks.

[Direction]

Glad you are making the appointment...I would imagine psychiatrist visits vary greatly...my first two times it was more like checking each other out to see if we wanted to be pdoc and patient.

With my new pdoc and T, I had seem them both as my children go to them.

What to expect...Some...family history, fairly direct questions about your feelings, moods, etc.

When I made my switch I wrote down everything that I could remember that was significant over the years...

My Dad's effect on me, their divorce, my high school relationships, college and any relationships, my marriage, my divorce, death of my father, etc....

One thing you may want to do is start writing down somethings you remember...it can bring someone up to spead pretty fast...in this case I emailed my T as I already had a relationship with him...but you could easily type it out...save it some place in case you need it again...nothing sucks more than having to bring someone new into the picture and starting from scratch...so this can help...

[bipolar_bear]

Welcome! I was really nervous about seeing my pdoc for the first time. As it turned out he was very nice and relaxed and we just talked. It probably would have been more effective had I written down some things that were bothering me but he managed to gently lead the conversation. They meet new people all the time and are there to help. Good luck. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions. Take care.

BB

[Meta]

Hi shootingstar,

Good for you. With a little luck you will get a pdoc who is sympathetic and whom you can relate to. It is very different from going to therapy. At the pdoc's--at least at my pdoc--they are mainly listening to what I have to say in answer to their questions. Their ultimate goal is to decide whether you have a diagnosis such as depression or bipolar disorder and then deciding what medication might help you.

This is very different from a therapist who will be helping you to work on your problems according to the kind of therapy they do.

In the meantime, a starting point for you could be to take some of the quizzes here and bring them to the therapist or pdoc to give additional info to work with.

I think it can be hard to answer some questions at first because it may seem embarassing, but try to remember they are trying to help you.

good luck,
let us know how you do.

Meta

Great move, be open and honest..

[bipolarlady]

Hi Shootingstar, welcome to PC! Bipolar is a very wide spectrum. Here in the UK they give a diagnosis of Bipolar Affective Disorder very tentatively. I was actually misdiagnosed several years ago, but unfortunately I had my first episode of hypomania last year and they called this "a waking diagnosis". Even so, I am on Lamictal (mood stabiliser) and an anti depressant (I was given a whole cocktail of different ones for 11 years previously to treat depression).

Good luck with the psychiatrist - as was said above write everything down and take your time, you will be fine.

best wishes