What to expect

I have been going to a psychologist for almost a year but I’ve decided that she is of no help to me. I haven’t gone to her since October so I have been trying to handle my issues on my own since then.

Last Wednesday, my beloved cat died unexpectedly and it just brought me down to a whole other dark level of depression that I can’t get out of.

Even before my cat died, I started to notice how this disease is affecting my daily life. I can’t even do simple things anymore. I can’t concentrate at work. I feel like I am a failure at everything. I am so self-conscious that I am scared to go do things because I feel like people are evaluating my every move and wondering why I am even there.

I have tried therapists but I am not getting the help I need. I am not on any meds right now but I think I need to be.

Anyway, I made an appointment with a psychiatrist and I wanted to know what I should expect from this since I have never been to one? She specializes in cognitive behavior therapy and anxiety disorders and social phobias. Someone told me that all
psychiatrists do is prescribe medications so I just don’t know if I am supposed to go in there and start talking or what?

Any insight is greatly appreciated! Thank you.

Why did you pick this particular psychiatrist? I thought you were concerned about your depression; I would have looked for a psychiatrist that specialized in depression or mentioned medications if that is what you want to try?

Some psychiatrist are therapists too and others just see you for 15-20 minutes for medications and to check up on you once a month or so, see how the medications are doing.

Often the medications can help one get more out of therapy, they sometimes work better together than either one alone. I think a new psychiatrist or doctor are going to ask a few questions rather than have you "start talking" without knowing some of your background first.

She does specialize in depression but I chose her because she specializes in social phobia too. I think a lot of my depression stems from my social phobia. Unfortunately, my mother suffered from this too and never got help. I don't want to be like her because she was miserable and she never went to any of my school functions when I needed her there (plays, graduations, tennis games). She was very depressed because she felt awkward in public and I have started feeling the same way over the past few years and I want it to stop.

On your first visit, the psychiatrist will probably ask you lots of questions. This will help her evaluate you. Also, this is your chance to ask her questions that you may have about the process. You may want to write down a couple of questions to help you remember. Psychcentral has this page that may be helpful http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/que...our-therapist/ and if you scroll down to the bottom, you'll see more helpful links. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Your first visit will probably be a screening interview. She may do some diagnostic tests to determine your level of depression as well as take a case history of how long you've been feeling that way.

My pdoc specializes in mood disorders and trauma, and she does talk therapy as well as meds management. I feel very lucky to have her. I see her once a month for about an hour, and feel like I can be really open with her.

Medication has made a huge difference to me, although I still go to therapy too.

I hope it works out and you get the help that you need.

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