I'm really nervous, I've never done anything like this. I'm primarily going to meet with one for anxiety and ADHD issues, specifically, a diagnosis test, I don't know what the proper terminology is. I think I might have a bit of depression and other unknown issues, but after talking to my mom about it, she basically has the mentality of "You don't want to kill yourself so you are not depressed." <- paraphrased. I don't know what to say, maybe I should write a list. Should I express that I may be depressed, but unsure? I'm really doubting myself, and it's kind of upsetting.

What about the other unknowns? What do I say about that? I'm at a complete loss. Will the psychiatrist initiate it or do I have to? I don't know what to do. Please give me some guidance. I understand that they are trying to help me, but I get nervous when doing things for the first time, and sometimes I just burst into tears when the anxiety builds up so much I can't contain it anymore. I am not good at articulating myself when I'm extremely emotional at the time.

[mazing]

It really depends on the psychiatrist but it might be worth writing a list if it will remind you what you need to say and talk about if you do get overwhelmed.

Often a psychiatrist will start by asking and talking about what you think the concerns are and then use some of the tools they have to get specifics. That could be with written activities or just talking with you.

Just try to remember that they want to help you. It is a chance for you to say what your concerns are in your own words. Leave the 'clinical' stuff up to them They will work out any diagnosis and then be able to explain it more to you.

Originally Posted by mazing

It really depends on the psychiatrist but it might be worth writing a list if it will remind you what you need to say and talk about if you do get overwhelmed.

Often a psychiatrist will start by asking and talking about what you think the concerns are and then use some of the tools they have to get specifics. That could be with written activities or just talking with you.

Just try to remember that they want to help you. It is a chance for you to say what your concerns are in your own words. Leave the 'clinical' stuff up to them They will work out any diagnosis and then be able to explain it more to you.

I convey my thoughts and feelings better on paper, so I hope I get something like that done..

Originally Posted by distortedcreativity

What about the other unknowns? What do I say about that? I'm at a complete loss. Will the psychiatrist initiate it or do I have to? I don't know what to do. Please give me some guidance. I understand that they are trying to help me, but I get nervous when doing things for the first time, and sometimes I just burst into tears when the anxiety builds up so much I can't contain it anymore. I am not good at articulating myself when I'm extremely emotional at the time.

You sound very, very anxious in the generalized way. (fear of the unknown is a major clue)

I've seen several psychiatrists in the past. They usually ask you the questions, sort of guiding you through the initial assessment. He or she might ask you what symptoms have been bothering you. So yes, the psychiatrist may initiate everything for you.

"Should I express that I may be depressed, but unsure? I'm really doubting myself, and it's kind of upsetting."

Anxiety often pairs with depressive symptoms.There are measurement tools for depression, and although your view of what you are experiencing in terms of depression is subjective in the eyes of both you and your Mom, the tests can capture the objective depression symptoms.

An experienced psychiatrist would likely pick up on your distress right away, just from noting your body language, affect, manner of speech. All those things are observed and evaluated.

The psychiatrist should be patient, accepting and non-judgmental, and listen to your concerns. There is no pressure to do anything.

I know how scary the unknown can be. Being nervous is ok. Any experienced psychiatrist will have seen many nervous people before, perhaps much worse off than you feel right now. They are there to help you.

Let us know how it goes.

I'm really nervous to set up the appointment. But my mom at least told me what information I need to give them though. I just gotta push through.

It went decently. He put me on Lexapro 10mg.

I hope those won't conflict with my iron pill.

[Nightlight]

Well done for getting through it. It can always been a bit nerve wracking to face something new and unknown like that.

[healingme4me]

It can be nervewracking, meeting with a pdoc, for the first time. They usually do a 45 minute consult. Then a follow up appointment or two, then they decide on meds.

At least, that was, my experience.

I didn't bother telling my Mom, at the time. She liked doing self dxs too. She'd have told me, f, you aren't depressed, it just, such and such is stressful right now..

Sent from my LG-MS910 using Tapatalk 2

Originally Posted by healingme4me

It can be nervewracking, meeting with a pdoc, for the first time. They usually do a 45 minute consult. Then a follow up appointment or two, then they decide on meds.

At least, that was, my experience.

I didn't bother telling my Mom, at the time. She liked doing self dxs too. She'd have told me, f, you aren't depressed, it just, such and such is stressful right now..

Sent from my LG-MS910 using Tapatalk 2

Yeah. My dad wasn't very happy about me getting prescribed with an antidepressant. But it's not about him, it's about me, and I made the choice to do this. I might not have everything figured out, but I know that I'm going to do this.