[JohnCrow]

Well, for once John isn't being a sad sack

Yep, that's me in the third person

I spoke to my doc about my depression and i got referred to a psychiatrist

I know many here probably think this is no big deal but my entire life I have endured my depression, seeing going to a head doctor as a sign of weakness. Let me clarify, logically I know that simply isn't true but I tend to be overwhelmed by my monkey brain, driven by emotion (loads of shame, mostly), when I am depressed

I am kind of scared. I am sure he will see past my carefully crafted mental barriers (it is, after all, his job) and start dismantling my walls. Like Pink in The Wall says, there must have been a hole there in the wall when I came in. I have become metaphorically agoraphobic of the world outside my mental barriers. And like the videos of test dogs stepping on grass for the first time in their life, it is frightening

Exciting, yes

But still frightening

But, bonus time: I got an idea for a story I have been working on

[vital]

Originally Posted by JohnCrow

Well, for once John isn't being a sad sack

Yep, that's me in the third person

I spoke to my doc about my depression and i got referred to a psychiatrist

I know many here probably think this is no big deal but my entire life I have endured my depression, seeing going to a head doctor as a sign of weakness. Let me clarify, logically I know that simply isn't true but I tend to be overwhelmed by my monkey brain, driven by emotion (loads of shame, mostly), when I am depressed

I am kind of scared. I am sure he will see past my carefully crafted mental barriers (it is, after all, his job) and start dismantling my walls. Like Pink in The Wall says, there must have been a hole there in the wall when I came in. I have become metaphorically agoraphobic of the world outside my mental barriers. And like the videos of test dogs stepping on grass for the first time in their life, it is frightening

Exciting, yes

But still frightening

But, bonus time: I got an idea for a story I have been working on

Hey John,

Congratulations on deciding to take action! I think that there is a lot of truth in one of the oldest views of depression as "learned helplessness." Just realizing that you are not helpless might be the most important step you can take.

- vital

http://forums.psychcentral.com/4262681-post105.html

Hi John,

I think that's great that you're going to see a psychiatrist. Unless they let you spend a lot more time with them in Canada than in the US, they're not going to see you often enough to do any dismantling. They ask a lot of questions about mood, sleep, and how you're functioning, and in the first interview will usually ask about things like past trauma.

It's the psychotherapists who really do the prying and dismantling. That's how I've experienced it, anyway.

I just went to a new p-doc a couple of weeks ago and really, it's a lot like going to any other kind of medical doctor.

[Idiot17]

That takes strength and bravery, telling your doc about your depression that is.
Way to go! . One load off.
Lots of luck with your first appointment, hope it goes well.
((((John))))