[SingDanceRunLife]

I need to see a psychiatrist because my moods are all out of whack and I'm starting to fall apart and whatnot. I could get all technical with you all, but there's no real reason since you guys understand.

I got a referral from a primary here (for those of you who don't know, I moved in January for school -- 3 hours from home), and called them and they said that they require you to see one of their counselors before you can see a pdoc. This deterred me because I stopped T when I left home and I've been doing just fine and I didn't want to spend the time or money seeing one...so I looked around more...found a number that weren't accepting new patients and others who were booking out to June...and by that point (now), I saw no other choice but to go with the referral and see a counselor.

Anyway, I'm really nervous about seeing the counselor tomorrow. I've only had 2 Ts ever, and I only opened up 100% to one of them (the one I saw on and off for 7 years). I don't like talking to people I don't know, I don't know what they'll want me to talk about or what they'll ask me...but I do want them to be sure that this is a serious matter but that I am in no way a danger to myself or others, and I want them to know that even though I'm hanging in there, I need to see a pdoc sooner rather than later so that I can finish this semester because I've worked so hard to make it through and I'm not going to have it ruined by my metal illnesses like it was once before.

I think another fear of mine is that I'll cry. I know it's okay and all that, but I don't want it to happen.

Any words of wisdom?

[ThisWayOut]

I'm glad you are able to reach out, even though you are nervous about the requitements of seeing a T.
Generally, the first session is an intake, and most places have a somewhat standardized method to that. Most intakes ask about basic demographics, what brought you to counseling, any past history with therapy or meds, any history of abuse or adverse life experiences... you don't have to say anything you don't want to, and generally, they let you "pass" on anything you don't want to answer in the moment (though they may ask you why you don't want to respond).
Good luck. And I hope you can get in to see a PDoc soon.

[guilloche]

Good luck, SingDanceRunLife... and good for you for taking care of yourself. This kind of stuff is so not easy to handle!

My advice:

First, if you know (for sure) that you just want to see a pdoc, and not a therapist... you might want to keep looking for a pdoc that's not going to make you jump through that hoop. It sounds like the place you're going is going to expect you to make regular appointments with the therapist, unless I'm misunderstanding? I can understand why you wouldn't want to do that, therapy is hard and destabilizing (for me), and you might not want to take that on right now.

2. When you go to see the therapist, you absolutely have the right to not discuss anything you don't want to. You can always say, "I'm not really comfortable discussing that at this point." Some won't like that, some may be pushy (a good sign that they may not be the best T for you) - but it's your life, your story, your health, and your heart on the line. Part of being healthy is having good boundaries, and this is one way to practice that.

I just say that because honestly, nobody should feel "forced" to talk about anything they don't want to, and I've seen some really pushy Ts in the past. Personally, I don't find it helpful - it's not good for building a relationship,and I don't think it's good to push a new client (who you don't know yet) past what they're comfortable disclosing.

BTW same goes for intake paperwork. You can leave stuff blank! I do!

Good luck!

[SingDanceRunLife]

What a waste of my time. I spent almost 2 hours waiting to be seen, talked to the counselor (who was nice, but whatever), and then found out that the psychiatrists are booking out to June when I was told 2-4 weeks! I'm quite annoyed!!

[ThisWayOut]

ouch! That really sucks. I'm sorry it was such a bad experience. :/

Does your school offer any mh services? Mine had a few options, and their mh clinic connected to health services offered pdoc services also.

[SingDanceRunLife]

Originally Posted by ThisWayOut

ouch! That really sucks. I'm sorry it was such a bad experience. :/

Does your school offer any mh services? Mine had a few options, and their mh clinic connected to health services offered pdoc services also.

No. My school is the smallest random school ever. It doesn't even have a proper health office. I'm exploring my other options now because I can't wait 2 monts...

[ThisWayOut]

I hope you can find something. If all else fails, you could show up at the ER and ask for a script. They will sometimes write a script to cover you till you see a pdoc in the community. If you go in saying you need meds, are not a danger to yourself, but can't wait for 2 more months, most ER's will have you wait forever to talk to a PDoc, but they let you leave with a script (and sometimes even a referal).
Another possibility would be to see a regular MD and ask for a script. They are easier to get in to see than a PDoc most of the time, and can also tide you over till you see a PDoc.
Good luck!

[LonesomeTonight]

Can you get on a list for cancellations? Like they call you if any p-docs have cancellations, then you could come in? Could be worth a shot...

good luck i'm sure it will be okay