[Miss Laura]

I have got my 1st ever Psychiatry appointment at the end of the Month. I am pretty anxious about it despite everyone telling me its for the best, but I am pretty anxious about the whole thing. I feel a million times better as my med was upped and I am better. I feel like a fraud as I am better than I was when I was put forward for a psychiatrist

[Rohag]

Hi, Miss Laura! If you are feeling better as a result of taking a medication, then you are no fraud. Of course, that fact won't stop you feeling like a fraud (at least that's my personal experience).

Has anyone told you anything about your appointment with the psychiatrist? Are you supposed to prepare something? I see my psychiatrist once a month, and we almost always review "meds & moods".

Here's hoping for pleasant distractions that will keep your anticipatory anxiety to a minimum!

[Miss Laura]

Hey Rohag,

Ye still feel like a fraud think that's just part of me though.

No nothing was written in the letter and the info that I received from them was just telling me a wee bit about them. Was gonna ask my GP next time I see her and also my counsellor when I see her next week

[turquoisesea]

For what it's worth I don't think you're a fraud. Things go up and down - in fact it's sometimes better to meet with someone when you're feeling better because when you're feeling better you can think more clearly. Which means you can better describe what you have been feeling, whats going on, etc. I've found one thing that's difficult about depression is it's fully possible to feel so horrible you can't get out of bed - literally - one day, and a day or week later you're walking around. When you're walking around it seems silly, stupid even. But it happened. And it matters.

Best of luck with the appointment

[sugahorse1]

Miss Laura - hang in there. You are seeing a specialist, so theoretically someone who will be able to help you even more than your GP. I was also anxious the first time I met a psychiatrist, but but really was for the better. They bascially need an understanding of your life so far, what you've been through, what could have caused stress. Thereafter we discussed moods and feelings, if possible highlighted any trends I may have spotted. Or specific stressors. Then we look at my current meds and decide where to make changes if necessary.

It will be fine - all the best xx

[Miss Laura]

Thanks Turquoisesea,

I know its the best thing for me and I know I need it. But I am really scared about maybe knowning whats actually wrong with me. Bipolar has been throwen around and I am worried about being diagnoised etc.

[Miss Laura]

Thanks Sugahorse,

Thanks for telling me about your experience. I am really needing to know what will happen and what he/she will say etc. I am one of these people who ahve to be equipped with the knowledge before entering into the world of the unknown

[Miss Laura]

My appointment is tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am petrified!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[shaggy dog]

Hi Miss Laura, every time I go to see my psychiatrist I always seem to be at my best so we part with him thinking I'm all fine and good. Unfortunately those other days when I'm not seeing him are not as good. Now even though I may be all grins during our appointment, I make sure to tell him about the bad days since the last appointment, that way he is aware of how many good and/or bads days I've had. I've always found it helpful to have a diagnosis so I know what it is I am fighting. I like the illness to have a name so I can research it and find out ways to cope with it. Maybe if you have subsequent visits you can keep a jounal or track your moods. It is impotant for him to know all about you so he can give you the correct treatment. Good luck tomorrow and just relax. shaggy

[Rohag]

Originally Posted by shaggy dog

Now even though I may be all grins during our appointment, I make sure to tell him about the bad days since the last appointment, that way he is aware of how many good and/or bads days I've had. ...

Yes, this kind of information is important to convey to the p-doc -- Shaggy knows how to be a good patient.

Try to relax. We'll all be interested to learn how things went.

[FeelingHopeful]

Good luck!! Please let us know how it goes.

[Miss Laura]

Thanks guys,

Just really nervous and anxious and every other annoyinh emotion that runs high before appointments!!!

[SophiaG]

dont be afraid of being diagnosed, all it can do is help you learn how to better manage your life. just be sure to describe how youve felt to your pdoc and tell him about the medicinal effects ect. There is no shame in being diagnosed. ((((((((((hug))))))))))

[Miss Laura]

Eventually got seen to 30 mins after my appointment was meant to be. Spent less than 10 mins talkin to the Psych THAT WAS IT. He asked a few questions spoke about my med and that was it. Feeling pretty annoyed and feel like nothing was accomplished at all. Waste of time

[theave]

Hi Miss L - sorry it was such a waste of time. When will you see your GP next? - they should get a letter from the hospital so you can see whether the pdoc's view of the appointment matches yours! At the very least, it should mean you are now his patient and so if things get worse you can be seen quicker. How have you been feeling lately?

[Miss Laura]

I see my gp sometime next wk need to make an appointment. He did say they wil make themselves available incase I need them. I have been great for past 2 months. However after I got home today. I fell asleep and now I feel sad and depressed and want to cry. Its a joy. How u doing Theave?

Miss Laura, sorry the psychiatrist did not take your appointment more seriously. Hope you can continue doing to feel great like you have the last two months.

Be well.

[theave]

Hope today has been better for you - maybe the way you felt yesterday was a sense of anti-climax after been worrying about the appointment? I'm fine, thanks - start of summer hols here tomorrow, weather's lovely, we have visitors staying just now - all good, really.

[Miss Laura]

Thanks guys,

I am really peeved though as I thought I would of got somewhere but I feel I am back at the start when it was the unknown.

Feeling pretty bad though. Was crying last night and today at work(thankfully I was hiding out in 1 of my guys houses when he went to day services) Just feeling really rotten now that it was a waste of time. Feel like it was just another denial stage that has made it more real- I am screwed up as no-one knows what/who I am

Awe glad to hear that Theave will PM you later I did PM but I deleted it by accident argh!!!!

[Rohag]

Originally Posted by theave

...so you can see whether the pdoc's view of the appointment matches yours!

Good point, Theave! The p-doc's view of that all-too-short ten minutes could be entirely different from Miss Laura's. I'm sorry, though, that the p-doc didn't at least give a general idea of what he planned to do with the information he gathered and what steps he would be taking.

Miss Laura, I'm sorry your first experience with a p-doc was so disappointing. "Psychiatry is like a box of chocolates..."

[Miss Laura]

Its just I have been reading up on here about seeing a Psychiatrist etc. You all seem to have been given time and been listened too.

I am really angry today. I went home last night and my Flatmate had a printed sheet about Borderline Personality Disorder. Does she think that this is me???? I don't do why I am angry though????

[theave]

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))).

[turquoisesea]

(((((Miss Laura)))))))

the only way to tell what your roomie is actually thinking is to ask, and then they might not be honest. try not to let it get to you too much, and maybe next time insist on more time with your doc - you deserve it

[Miss Laura]

Thanks Guys,

Today I got a text from my Flatmate sayin she needs £500......... I nearly died. I haven't paid Rent £150 for 1 month and I haven't paid Council Tax £350 for 5 months as I have not had any money.

I went to my folks house. I haven't mentioned it until a few hours ago. I started crying and I don't know why. My Mum I think was a bit surprised. She came over to me and we hugged. She said she knew something was wrong with me. We spoke and she asked if I was ok other wise and I said I was. She says she will give me £350 and I will try and manage £150 from my own bank account. If not I will be able to pay it next month as I am obviously back at work. Just when I think I am doing well I always have a crash.

My Mum has suggested more like she wants me to move out my flat and back home with them. I don't want to as I like my freedom as she puts it. She says it would save me so much money and I can pay them rent starting at £20 a week and then when I have more money £50 etc. I owe them roughly about £2,000 since I became ill. I am so crap with money now. My Mum just said I use to be so good with money and even as a kid. She says its just because I have been ill etc. I know this but why is it so hard for me to deal with

I had a Counselling Session the other day. It was going so well and we were talking about a lot of things. My Counsellor asked me "How you feeling about our last session now that the 2nd last one has just finished" I don't know why or where it came from, and I burst into tears. Why????? I was so apologetic to her and said I couldn't believe I was crying in front of her as I have never cried in front of her before. I have been working with her since December. She spoke to me and waited until I calmed down. She was really nice about it all. She has said she wants me to go to her again soon for an extra session to prepare me for leaving her and she wants to know why I feel I can't cope when I leave her and her sessions.

I will need to go to GP's next week and I will talk to her about the Psychiarty meeting. I didn't get anything out of it and like its been said there would be no real info gathered on me as it was only 10 mins.

I feel like an emotional wreck today. I feel like crying all day but have controlled it till tonight

[Miss Laura]

Also although The Borderline Personality Disorder is still in my head I don't actually believe I have it. So I am not too bothered now as I have more things to worry and sort out now