Worried

I wonder if a therapist writes something down, are they writing something that is bad about me. I always think they will say I'm too messed up so now I have to spend a few weeks in the hospital. I have to wait until next week to know what is going on since we ran out of time.

I would just ask at the beginning of the next session, "I noticed you write things down during our session, what do you write?" A good therapist will tell you. Also, you can request your medical records of all the therapy sessions you have ever had--you have that right under HIPPA. I have done that and many therapists and psychiatrists don't put that much into your records. One of my psychologists (therapist) said she was careful what she put into records because she thought it best to keep things she says about her patients on the record pretty general. She needed to put a diagnosis for insurance billing but used the anxiety and depression diagnosis a lot (that was what she was putting for me). She admitted to not being 100% sure about what was going on with me. I liked that because I think it showed that she was humble about her skills even though she had over two decades of experience. In my opinion, if you get a diagnosis wrong that can really harm a patient because some diagnosis result in a patient being given strong medications that have dangerous side effects or are addictive (IMO it can be warranted is some cases but it shouldn't be taken lightly because some medications are hard to get off of once you start). I know therapist can't prescribe but a good psychiatrist works with your therapist and considers what they say (especially therapists with experience and a good educational background--psychologists have extensive training) when they consider how to best treat you. Also, IMO, once you get a diagnosis, it can follow you around because some therapists and doctors assume the previous diagnosis is correct plus it is just easier for them to do this if they are overworked. I know I just commented on a lot of things you didn't ask; however, bottom line, you should have a certain amount of "gut level" trust about your T and also try to ask what is on your mind though the hard part can be that you might just run out of time before asking everything. Perhaps bring your own notes to the next session so that you don't forget to ask what you think is most important? And order copies of your medical records--sometimes you find out things in there that you should know.

Thanks for your advice. So far I have been doing assessments and interviews but I always remember stuff I should have said later. So I wrote a few notes to ask for next time. It just sucks to have to wait so long to find out. I think it will be different starting next week. He said he will talk to me about everything next week. I just noticed myself wondering about what he wrote. I hope I don't get a diagnosis that requires medicine because I hate taking medicine but I will find out soon. Yes, I noticed other therapists used the diagnosis of other therapists. But this time I have done hours of assessments and interviews because he is a specialist. Yes, I will get my medical records to see what is going on. I think some of my previous therapists were not sure what was going on with me. But at least my last therapist referred me to someone with more experience.

So Sorry for what you're going through! Please Do not give up! i agree with the wise and wonderful TunedOut about waiting and just asking for more information. Hopefully they will tell you. i don't think you should be too worried though as i think they are generally just notes to help them remember certain things for your next sessions perhaps. Hugs. Please do update us if you want to if possible. Sending many Safe, warm hugs to BOTH you, @katmc1, your Family, your Friends and ALL of your Loved Ones! Keep fighting and keep rocking NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, OK?!

Thank you. I thought some of his notes might help him remember stuff about the session. At the beginning of the sessions he says where we left off and I was thinking, it is a good thing he remembers because I don't. 😃. So you maybe right.