What do you do if you have an appointment, with a psychologist, and you need to know what to talk about?

Question

What do you do if you feel insecure going to the psychologist?

Answer 1

Don't worry about it. When you get there you will think of what you want to discuss. It'll come to you. No one is going to judge you. They are there to help you.

Answer 2

Just be honest. Tell him or her that you really don't know how to proceed. The psychologist will probably ask some questions at the beginning anyway, to get your medical history, so by the time he's through, you'll have lots of ideas to choose from.

Answer 3

your psychologist knows that people are nervous about the first visit, and they are trained to help you relax and they understand..you can, if you want to, tell the person that you are nervous and this is your first time, and they will help you and explain, they are also a good listener and do not judge you or push you into saying things just to be talking.. be honest with your feelings and tell them what you want to say. when you have been there a few times, it will become easier, first you need to feel comfortable with them and that takes time.

Answer 4

I have a medical disability that has made me see well over 100 doctors, half of whom were psychiatrists (who can be worse than psychologists--the only difference is that psychologists can prescribe medications). Check my profile for more.

I learned a trick to dealing with them. I sit down at my computer and write up a one-half page (I have gotten up to one full page, but I try to keep it brief) note to my doctor. I include all the concerns I am feeling and what I want addressed in this meeting. Then the first thing I do is hand it to the doctor. It seems a little strange at first, but most of them appreciate it. It gives them a written record of the visit and I have a copy of it on my computer at home. I even bring a disk with a copy of the written file so if they are use all electronic records then the can include my note on the computer.

The biggest advantages about this are two:
First it breaks the ice and says what I want to say, with me having to actually say it.
Second it tells the doctor all the things that I want to talk about during the visit. I never walk away from the doctor’s office saying, “I wish I had asked the doctor…”

I am a pretty shy person by nature, so this gets my points across and since I write this at home I am comfortable and can be a little more forthright than I usually am. Since I take a lot of prescription medications I include a list of them with the note, so that when I see more than one doctor the other doctor doesn’t prescribe me a medication that conflicts with my current medications. It is all there right in front of them so they don’t have to search through my file looking for what medications I take.

Since the note is typed in a Word Processor I check the spelling and the grammar first so I don’t look like a fool to the doctor. Remember, these pages often end up in your permanent file with the doctor. I would prefer that I controlled some of what those notes say, and that I have a record of them where I can access them.

It also saves time. Since I am a disabled Veteran I have to go to the Veteran’s Administration Hospital; which is the world’s largest HMO. I am currently seeing 3 different departments and those doctors only want to spend 10-15 minutes with me. They can all read faster than I can talk and I proofread the document to make sure it was done correctly. So it is more time efficient to do things this way.

I am not telling you to hide behind your note, but when you compose it you will have the time to think out the questions and answers, and you can be a little braver at home.

I have noticed another thing; doctors don’t have a very good idea of what is really wrong with me. They can’t see into my head and are making educated guesses. So I when I write these notes I can give them that look. I have also asked doctors to increase or decrease my medication dosage as well as asking to be prescribed new or different medications. Most of the time the doctors listen to me, and agree. If they don’t agree with me then they have a sound medical reason and they tell me. It lets me take more control of my medical treatment, and to be more active in it. Doctors like this; they have too many patients who are passive, looking to the doctor for a cure and others that have problems talking with them. Fear of a doctor is common, and they know it. If you can come up with at method that will help you overcome this fear then they will respect it. Especially if you tell them WHY you are writing these notes.

Otherwise build up your courage and stick to your guns. You are in a fight to get well, and the doctor is only you ammo carrier and guide. You need to tell them what is wrong and what your concerns are and have them address them. To put it in terms of golf you have to take the role of Tiger Woods. The doctor is just like Tiger’s Dad was to him. He caddied for Tiger, he selected the clubs that he thought Tiger would need, but in the end it was Tiger who hit the ball, and if his dad picked a club that Tiger thought was wrong, then Tiger got the club that he needed. The doctor advises you, he may even give you some instruction and training, they can select the clubs (medication) that want you to take, but you control what happens to you. Remember that like Tiger’s dad, the doctor knows more about the subject, but he doesn’t know more about you and what you can do.

Answer 5

They will usually start with why you are there to get the general feel of the situation. Then start asking you questions. Give honest answers. They are there to help you.

Answer 6

He/she will ask the questions.
Just answer honestly.
There's nothing to prepare for because it's always different.

Good Luck.
Hope you're not crazy.

Answer 7

Cancel the appointment.