[letsgogh]

I have wanted to see one for months, but I can't seem to get the determination to go, for various reasons. Either I start feeling great again and think I don't need it and it becomes a game of 'oh next time I'll go in, if I ever feel 'x' again I will make an appointment'.
Or, when I feel horrible I become terrified of going and cancel the day before, or I panic about how much it will cost and hate myself or I no longer see the point. I want to go to a walk in next week that at my university but I'm apprehensive and very wary, and it costs money, which I don't have a lot of.

What is it like, and was it worth it?

[kiwi33]

My first appointment with my psychiatrist happened when I was a voluntary patient in a psychiatric hospital - he recommended a clinical psychologist to me.

In both cases the first few sessions were spent "getting to know each other".

As a client, I think that asking questions like "Do I trust this person?" and "Do I have rapport with him/her?" in those early sessions is important. There are no "right" answers to them but your answers are what matter.

In my case it was certainly "worth it". I am now on a "care and maintenance" basis with both my psychiatrist and clinical psychologist - seeing them once every six months or so for a quick chat and (in the case of my psychiatrist) getting a refill prescription for my anti-depressant.

All the best.

[letsgogh]

thanks for taking the time to reply. c:

[IceCreamKid]

Originally Posted by letsgogh

I have wanted to see one for months, but I can't seem to get the determination to go, for various reasons. Either I start feeling great again and think I don't need it and it becomes a game of 'oh next time I'll go in, if I ever feel 'x' again I will make an appointment'.
Or, when I feel horrible I become terrified of going and cancel the day before, or I panic about how much it will cost and hate myself or I no longer see the point. I want to go to a walk in next week that at my university but I'm apprehensive and very wary, and it costs money, which I don't have a lot of.

What is it like, and was it worth it?

I have found a very nice, supportive, soft-spoken young woman who listens. I felt better from the very first appointment because she listened so attentively and I could tell she was truly interested in helping me. I have found the sessions well worth the money (I pay a reduced fee).

[MoxieDoxie]

I sought out help and was completely naive. I seriously thought I was going to be fixed in like 8 sessions. I thought they had some secret power you only knew about if you went to therapy. Holy crap was I in for a surprise.

[brainhi]

My life really hit a low. I was losing the one person I thought loved me unconditionally - did my heart have such a big hole to fill - he was going to give up. I've always been very aware of mental health - learning through my childhood and my parents sickness. I have always been able to manage myself - now I knew I needed to get help.

I was so full of anxiety and sadness - I'm sure that was very apparent to the pdoc. I just talked a lot and cried and I am sure I sounded very confusing. At the end of the appointment I was relieved I finally took this step. I was on the road to being understood. She did set me up with medication and a therapist. I actually started feeling better pretty quickly but
it was a long road but so glad I was on it. Good luck!!!! This is a great step you are taking. I have had some great professionals and average ones - but I learned something from every one of them.

[glok]

My first appointment was informational, starting with why was I there.

[Hobbit House]

When I went in for my first appointment I was so manic it wasn't funny. I was hearing voices, talking a mile a minute, couldn't sleep, thought I could do ANYTHING! Anyhow the psychdoc immediately put me on Zyprexa and Prozac. Anyway that's how I got my Diagnosis.

[Silent Void]

I cried. A lot.

[InsideBlackBox]

After a decade of misdiagnosed as depression and anti depressives that assisted my manic phases that rapid cycles just exacerbated. By the time I went to my first psychiatrist, I was devastated to hear the diagnosis. Working within the medical profession, I was well aware and petrified of the condemnation with possible termination in the workplace. My first therapist didn't help matters either. He was not a Mastered level therapist but, a pastor of a church.
My second round I knew what to look for in a psychiatrist and therapist. My therapist is a encouraging yet, provides me the tough love I require at times.
Most importantly, its our own compliance that truly makes the difference in our wellness.

[gubernova]

My first psychiatrist was actually my worst. He told me straight to my face that all I needed was to get a job and stop being lazy. Well, he was wrong and I wish 18 years later he could see me now. I do have a job, it only took 18 yrs of therapy.

[TheComedyTragedy]

The first time I went it was practically an understanding session. You don't have to think of much to say or ask, it's generally very much - answer these questions for me and tell me how you feel about this. Really it's not that bad but I suppose it depends on what therapist you get - nevertheless if ou get a therapist you don't get on with you can soon ask for a change and the therapist will be in no way insulted if you do.

[dwfieldjr]

Well the first time I went to see my doctor I spilled my guts out about my whole life then I realized that I would be getting a new doctor every six months I went in. After I found that out I just closed up and didn't say anything after that.

Originally Posted by letsgogh

I have wanted to see one for months, but I can't seem to get the determination to go, for various reasons. Either I start feeling great again and think I don't need it and it becomes a game of 'oh next time I'll go in, if I ever feel 'x' again I will make an appointment'.
Or, when I feel horrible I become terrified of going and cancel the day before, or I panic about how much it will cost and hate myself or I no longer see the point. I want to go to a walk in next week that at my university but I'm apprehensive and very wary, and it costs money, which I don't have a lot of.

What is it like, and was it worth it?

Those were my thoughts before my very first session in college years ago and I did the same thing. My problem was that, like Moxie:

Originally Posted by MoxieDoxie

I sought out help and was completely naïve. I seriously thought I was going to be fixed in like 8 sessions. I thought they had some secret power you only knew about if you went to therapy. Holy crap was I in for a surprise.

Really, this is a whole new path you're stepping onto. It's a commitment...to yourself...to take good care of yourself... What makes my first appointment so memorable was that:

Originally Posted by Silent Void

I cried. A lot.

...and I continued to for many sessions after that one. I wasn't made to be embarrassed either. I always felt so much better when time was up and I never regretted going. To this day I'm grateful for that first session. It wasn't peach and roses but I learned so much about myself. With time, like kiwi, I've come to learn that:

Originally Posted by kiwi33

As a client, I think that asking questions like "Do I trust this person?" and "Do I have rapport with him/her?" in those early sessions is important. There are no "right" answers to them but your answers are what matter.

Now I, too, wish you:

Originally Posted by kiwi33

All the best.