Why would a counselor recommend a psyhicatrist?

I've seen someone who is a "counselor" and "social worker" a few times. Can't really get into why..that's a whole nother mess of reasons. My mother wanted to try "Family Counseling" because we don't get along. Mother and daughter who don't get along..not that new.


This person clearly sees the tension and issues between me and my mother and she says she wants to help me with "other" stuff and agreed to keep my mother out of it. My mother lies, somewhat made an *** out of herself when the counselor did ask her a few questions and she gave these jackass answers Personally, I think she has some form of Munchausen Syndrome but when I brought that up back in the 90's they assumed I got it from an Eminem song and nobody believed me so I never brought it up to anyone ever again. I didn't tell this new counselor this, just that my mother "lies" and always has and I can't compete with the bs because all her bs is documented and makes me look bad. Counselor said she did believe me and she wants to "Help" me...

Then minutes later she's asking if I'd be willing to meet with a psychiatrist..... Why? I did ask her this and she just said she thinks one could hep me and maybe there would be "programs" open to me in getting away from my mother. (economy sucks, I'm living at home instead of a homeless shelter..If I didn't have 2 dogs who were my life I'd rather be at one of those places.)

So of course I am now paranoid and skeptical (ONLY when it comes to crap like this with my mother... I am not someone who is ever paranoid of anyone except things like this where my mother is involved. If you knew the history you'd understand!)... and now I feel like this person wants to send me to a psych for some kind of evaluation for mental health/psych issues and get labeled with some mental disorder. I played this game with my mother all through my teens and refuse to go backwards.

What do you guys think? If a counselor/social worker didn't think you really did have "mental issues", why would she recommend a psychiatrist?

I have an appt in the morning. Kind of dreading it just because she brought this up at the last one.

I can see that you're uneasy with the psychiatry route because it would be a repeat of what you've been through with your Mother in the past; getting 'labelled with a mental disorder', as you put it.

The only thing I can think of is to ask the counsellor/social worker again directly why they thought recommending a psychiatrist would be the most effective action for you. Mention that you're still confused about that suggestion, hopefully it'll be clarified for you. At the end of the day, it's your treatment, you should have it explained to you fully before you undertake it, if that's what happens.

Personally, I wouldn't be able to give you an answer from what you've written, nor can I think of a logical answer. I hope you get the answers you need.

very hard to know from what's been posted.

usually psychiatrists are for meds -- are you on meds, or does she think you ought to be?

maybe for other things -- I don't know.

anyway, good luck to you, and let us know how it goes.

-far

I agree with Far-traveler..... I couldn't have said it any better.

if you feel your "why" question wasn't answered sufficiently then ask again -- with more questions(afterall you are the paying customer)... like -- "why see a psychiatrist? how could that help me more than you could?".....

anyway-- best to you

fins

A counselor/social worker doesn't diagnose. A psychiatrist does. She may want to see if there is something going on that way. A psychiatrist will also deal with meds if they are needed.

Ask your counselor to explain what she hopes you may get out of a psychiatric evaluation. Don't be afraid to ask.

My counselor DID diagnose me, but maybe she thinks you need medication? You need to ask.

It sounds like you are not going to the counselor/social worker for "mental issues" and psychiatrists are definitely for helping with that. If you are only looking for programs to get away from your mother and that situation, then tell the would-be-helper that?

I am a counselor, and we do diagnose. We don't prescribe medications though. And even when your struggles are because of the environment and how you were brought up, medications might still be helpful. Your counselor might want you to have a boost from meds to make it easier for you to overcome depression, anxiety, etc.

Another possibility might be that the psychiatrist can help with additional documentation or referrals to get appropriate assistance. If you are ever not sure of why your therapist recommends or suggests anything, you can ask them and they should be willing to explain it to you.

I think it would be hard to go see a psychiatrist if you don't know why you are going. If you go there and he/she asks why are you here, what would you say? It seems like your counselor has not given you enough information. It has been my experience with social workers that they are usually well-connected to programs in the community so can advise you of those if you are interested. (In my state, Licensed Clinical Social Workers can indeed diagnose.)

psychiatrists can open many more doors for all kinds of services that therapists cant. example here a refurral from a psychiatrist is needed if you want to live in some mental health run communities residential places for people who struggle with living on their own or need a bit of one on one help occasionally to deal with daily living. another example some day programs for those seeing mental health people need refurals from a psychiatrist, the day programs that I have heard of and seen have things like arts and crafts classes, GED/ career oriented classes where you pick a career and they will help train you then help you with getting a job, tutoring classes if needed, lots of different things. and like someone else already said psychiatrists can give meds and they can also give you tests to help you find out where your strengths and weaknesses are and what your diagnosis is and help you and your therapist set up your treatment program. a psychiatrist can also get things in order for transportation needs to medical and mental health appointments if they have that program in your area.

Thanks everyone. You basically confirmed what I was thinking. Psychiatrists are for meds and more thorough mental disorder diagnosis. Why suggest that if I'm not on meds or if she didn't think I needed them? The meds topic has never came up either way. Neither has any sort of mental disorder diagnosis came up. The paranoia part of me from my history worries I'm being played like she plays the good guy who thinks I don't need them yet sends me to the bad guy. (been there) I probably have only had 2 good sessions alone with her..the other couple were ALL my mother. It didn't come up in today's appointment but if she brings it up again then obviously I need to ask her to explain it better.

Welcome,

Going to a Psychiatrist (Pdoc) is not the end of the world. They are medical doctors (specialists) who work with all kind of emotional issues and medical problems. Pdoc's not only prescribe medicine but many offer psychotherapy too. I see my Pdoc for therapy.

I recommend going to the meeting with an open mind.

Good luck.

If you're curious (I would be!), you could always be the one to bring it up.

Here's my experience - I too saw some counselors. My doctor finally handed me over to a PsyD and i, like you, was paranoid. I felt this was getting worse - why would i have to see this mental doctor?!?! What did this say about me?!?
But thing is, the PsyD had more oprions, routes, contacts available to me to get away from my own mom. I've been with the PsyD now 2.5 years - she clearly saw (as did the others) that to get "better" i had to get away from mom. PsyD is the one who had the contacts and power to get me to the right people who could put this in motion. It took a lot of time, but i am now THIS close to housing and getting the **** out of here. Just a bit more red tape, a bit more of the right people, the right paperwork, and I will be out! Then the REAL work will begin - undoing all her damage.
Best of luck to you!