[AnxiousGirl]

So as some of you may know, Ive been seeing a psychologist for about 2 years for anxiety and we have come to the conclusion that it was time for my to see a psychiatrist. I was against meds until I hit rock bottom (currently still in) but if it helps, I'm on board. Anyways, she was able to get an appointment with the psych who works in the same building (which I found very nice of her) and offered to come to the appointment with me since she knows Im really nervous (which I also found very nice of her). So over the past week I've really hit rock bottom,
had a few ***** Trigger *****

Suicidal thoughts.

Now the thing is, I don't want to bring this up tomorrow because I haven't even told my psychologist how bad my anxiety is and I don't want to tell a complete stranger on the first day. So I am planning on being more subtle and cool about it but plan on telling my psychologist 2 weeks after when I see her again after tomorrow.

Im just nervous about the session tomorrow, I don't know what to expect, I don't know if its a good thing my T is coming with me, don't know what questions will be asked...

Just don't know.

[Skeezyks]

Well... to paraphrase Bobby Burns... the best laid plans of mice & men (women too!) go astray... Your psychologist & psychiatrist can only be as helpful as you are honest with them. Personally I'm impressed that your psychologist would come along to your appointment with your new pdoc. That kind of care coordination happens all too little in the mental health service system... in my experience.

[growlycat]

Can you call your therapist and give her a heads up that you are having suicidal feelings but you are not going to act on them? I would not wait to tell your psychiatrist either. She probably hears it all of the time. As long as you say they are feelings not something you will act on no one will freak. Concerned sure.

[Patsfan]

I would give your T a heads up and be honest with the doc. My doc asks me every time I see her.

[AnxiousGirl]

Thanks everyone. My T really seems to like me (not in a bragging sense) but from what I've noticed and her complimenting me almost every session about how much of an "ideal client" I am. Im just worried about how the whole process will happen. Im super awkward as it is, I can't imagine how much worse ill be tomorrow ...

[LonesomeTonight]

If you're feeling depressed along with the anxiety, at least tell the psychiatrist that, because it could affect what medication you're given. (Like if it was just anxiety, might try one type, but if you're also feeling depressed/suicidal, might be a different one or a combo of meds.) The other issue is, some meds can potentially cause an increase in suicidal thoughts when you start them. So you'll definitely need to share if a med makes you feel worse, so that the p-doc can determine whether to switch you to a different one. I agree that maybe you should try to let your T know how you're feeling--maybe in an e-mail, since I know you've said she allows that.

I know it's scary...but they (both your T and psychiatrist) can only help you if you're honest with them about how you're feeling. Hugs...

[atisketatasket]

You know, if you want to get better, there is no point in seeing either a psychologist or a psychiatrist if you don't plan to be honest with them. It is like if you don't tell your doctor that your headaches come with nausea and sensitivity to light, how can they diagnose them as migraines and treat you accordingly?

[kecanoe]

Wi was super anxious at my first pdoc appointment. He told me that that was the most common feeling for new patients. I bet your pdoc expects you to be anxious, and is quite used to helping people thru that first visit.

In my experience with suicidal thoughts, they will ask if you have a plan, and the. If you are going to act on it. If you say no, they'll believe you and not freak out. As others have said, it is probably the most helpful to tell pdoc as much as you can about how you are feeling. There are so may meds out there, and a good pdoc will have a sense of what would helpful. And you might want to ask what to do if the meds make it worse. It would be good to have a plan in place.
In my experience it is pretty easy to get relief from anxiety with meds. I hope your pdoc is brilliantly ant and gives you exactly what you need.

[AnxiousGirl]

Thanks everyone. I will be as honest as I could today. Still very nervous but don't think I can back away at this point as my appointment is in a few hours

[Pennster]

Good luck! Do try to be honest. Your psychiatrist will be able to help you so much better if you say what you are really feeling.

What do you think your therapist means when she says you are an "ideal client?" Does that give you enough space to be honest about what you are feeling? I guess I might worry a little bit that stressing how ideal you are might make you feel a little less free to really present all the bits you really need help with. I think it's ok to be a deeply flawed client as well, and your relationship with her might actually be stronger and more helpful to you if you can display more of you that isn't so ideal.

But I know I'm talking about what would work for me - I realize we're all different. Just a different perspective, in case it might be helpful.

[ScarletPimpernel]

You can still be an "ideal client" and suffer from symptoms including SUI thoughts. I know my Pdoc calls me the "ideal client" because I always take my meds and show up to my appts on time. But I still have SUI thoughts.

Originally Posted by AnxiousGirl

Suicidal thoughts.

Now the thing is, I don't want to bring this up tomorrow because I haven't even told my psychologist how bad my anxiety is and I don't want to tell a complete stranger on the first day. So I am planning on being more subtle and cool about it but plan on telling my psychologist 2 weeks after when I see her again after tomorrow.

Im just nervous about the session tomorrow, I don't know what to expect, I don't know if its a good thing my T is coming with me, don't know what questions will be asked...

Just don't know.

Don't hold back. Pdoc appointments are hugely expensive and don't come nearly as frequently as therapy appointments. Lay it on the line so treatment can begin as soon as possible.

[AnxiousGirl]

Thanks all. Just got back a few hours ago and let me tell you that was the most awkward/scariest experience I've ever had. I went in and my T was sitting there on the chair next to where I sat and I made like 3% eye contact with them both. I was okay in a sense that I was saying how I felt (while still trying to keep a few things to myself). In the end it looks okay and I'm going back to see my T in a week and the psych in 2. I emailed my T thanking her for being there with me which she thought was nice of me but not as nice as what she had done.

Thanks for all the kind words everyone

[annielovesbacon]

Good luck! Try to be honest. I know it's hard. I hid my suicidal thoughts from my T and pdoc for the longest time. But when I finally told them, they were able to help me better.
I just want to warn you -- sometimes psychiatrists are less warm and more matter-of-fact than therapists. It's just their nature. While you might say to a therapist/psychologist, "I'm feeling suicidal" and they would respond with "Why?" and "How can we make it better?", a psychiatrist might just say "Okay" and write it down, or ask you about more objective detail.
It seemed cold to me at first and it unsettled me. So I just wanted to let you know!
I'm sure everything will be fine.

[annielovesbacon]

Oh oops.. I just realized that you already went I'm glad it went well!

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by AnxiousGirl

Thanks all. Just got back a few hours ago and let me tell you that was the most awkward/scariest experience I've ever had. I went in and my T was sitting there on the chair next to where I sat and I made like 3% eye contact with them both. I was okay in a sense that I was saying how I felt (while still trying to keep a few things to myself). In the end it looks okay and I'm going back to see my T in a week and the psych in 2. I emailed my T thanking her for being there with me which she thought was nice of me but not as nice as what she had done.

Thanks for all the kind words everyone

Glad you got through it and were fairly honest. Did the psychiatrist end up prescribing you anything? Just curious.

Save

[unaluna]

My ts blurb on the Psychology Today website actually starts out saying, "There is no such thing as the ideal client."

I kid him and say its okay, he wrote that before he met me, but he needs to change it now.

[Teddy:)]

I'm glad your appointment went well and I think it was really nice of your T to come along with you and support you like that.

Do you mind me asking though what kinds of things the psychiatrist asked or did? Its just I've never been to one and am curious to know if its the same as seeing a T or not and what it entails .

Thanks
Teddy

[AnxiousGirl]

Originally Posted by LonesomeTonight

Glad you got through it and were fairly honest. Did the psychiatrist end up prescribing you anything? Just curious.

Save

I was already on Effexor (lowest dose) so she told me to double it until I see her again.

[AnxiousGirl]

Originally Posted by Teddy:)

I'm glad your appointment went well and I think it was really nice of your T to come along with you and support you like that.

Do you mind me asking though what kinds of things the psychiatrist asked or did? Its just I've never been to one and am curious to know if its the same as seeing a T or not and what it entails .

Thanks
Teddy

It was fairly simple like how I am generally, how my family and friends are, school, etc. Somethings were uncomfortable but part of the questions they need to ask to get to know the situation better.