Hi. I'm Dan. Echoes had suggested I come to this forum. I posted somewhere else on the site about freaking out about my first appt. ever on monday. I am getting ready to go to the second one now. I was freaking out because I have never, EVER talked about what's been going on with me to anyone before. I had just starting talking to my wife two days before going so I guess that counts as talking, but nothing before that! In 12 years of marriage my wife has tried and tried to get me help but... but i don't know. I guess I just justified and believed what I wanted. Now I'm ready and the Psychologist told me on monday that she believed I was Bi-polar. I questioned her and told her I really thought she was wrong. I don't know why I did that! I want to get help, i want to be a "good" client, but I really don't just want someone to minimize me and blurt out popular things like that. Do I have the wrong attitude? Anyways, she gave me a test that had 357 or so questions. I did not like it! I felt I had to explain myself on a LOT of the questions along the dotted lines. I hope that was okay. Now I'm off to discuss the "official" results! I'm terrified! I hope also that I did not offend her. I need her to not just stop or give up on me now. Oh well... thank you for listening!

[Perna]

Hi, landskaperdan, Dan, welcome to PsychCentral (PC) and the psychotherapy forum.

I think most people are scared the first time they start sessions; it is a new activity, totally unlike anything else we may have ever done!

You cannot do it "wrong". The psychologist will tell you what their tests are saying and, often, I find going along with that to "see" what they see can be useful. Therapy is about a discussing/conversing with another and they give their opinion and you give yours and think about theirs, etc., it's interaction with others besides just ourselves and our head. People on the "outside" (and therapists are trained in being outside people :-) are able to tell us how we look from their vantage point and though it is just their view, it can help us get our own bearings (we get 10 people over here saying X, when we are thinking it's Y, could be we need to move more toward X?).

Do not worry about offending your psychologist, she's not there to explore "her" thoughts, feelings, actions and life but to help you explore yours and all of your responses are helpful in that exploration. Expect her to listen well and be "curious" about what you think and how you express yourself. There are no right or wrong ways to do it as there is only you and you are the only "expert" on you.

[sunrise]

Hi, Dan. Welcome. Congratulations on beginning to talk to your wife about what's going on with you. Going to the psychologist is a positive step in making your life and relationships better. The bipolar diagnosis is just your T's "best guess" after meeting with you only once. He will have a better idea of what is going on with you after the tests and after getting to know you after you've met for more sessions. If you can commit to at least half a dozen sessions, that will really help him get to know you well enough so he can know how to help you better. It's also fine to tell him why you don't think you are bipolar.

Originally Posted by landskaperdan

I questioned her and told her I really thought she was wrong. I don't know why I did that! I want to get help, i want to be a "good" client, but I really don't just want someone to minimize me and blurt out popular things like that. Do I have the wrong attitude?

No, you don't have the wrong attitude. The T wants to know what you are thinking, so it is fine to ask questions or tell her your opinions, such as how you felt minimized when she told you she thought you were bipolar. As Perna said, you are the expert on yourself. You don't need to worry about being a "good client." The goal of therapy is not to please the therapist.

[tkdgirl]

Hey Dan. I think you will find alot of awesome people here on PC. It's a great place to ask questions and see how different people are approaching different issues. I personally found everyone very supportive and helpful here.

Hopefully your second session goes well. Feel free to come back and share if you feel comfortable and want to.

[sittingatwatersedge]

Hi Dan, welcome to PC! this is great that yr wife is so supportive of your therapy. You are NOT ALONE, at home or here; and the good news is, the T is on your side. Take some calming breaths and see where the experience takes you.
and... we're here most any time

[unaluna]

good on you for doing all this! echoes is great!

I really do appreciate this! I really am listening. I got referred to a psychiatrist in the visit today. I just got back signing an information release and the guy behind the counter was really questioning me about it. He was asking what I wanted to send the psychiatrist and making it sound like the information wasn't important, like it was no big deal. It made me think maybe i might be making too big of a deal about this... but no! It's really important to me! lol... my psychologist told me today that I have swings in my moods, abandonment issues, anxiety issues and depression. She said I probably need meds for anxiety and mood stabalizers. She didn't put a name on any of it..lol... she told me she didn't want to put a stigma on me. I called and called... everything was 250 dollars and two to three weeks out.. except for one. they were offering an hour and a half for 750 but could get me in on saturday. Waiting is so hard! I jumped on the 750... I was told that i would have to be re evaluated but a determination either validating or otherwise would be made and if I really do need meds they could be prescribed then! My wife was really worried about the two weeks. "What until then" was her worry. I don't know why.. but I'm picturing this really big intimidating guy who's all business and in a hurry when I think of the Psychiatrist...lol. I hope they are not really like that! Anyways... thank you for letting me vent here. I had to share this with someone!

[WikidPissah]

welcome Dan. It's all kind of scarey and confusing when you start, but it gets a little easier and a little harder as time goes on. Good luck with the meds, remember everyone is different and it might take a few tries to get the right meds for you.