Talking with a shrink to solve a problem?

Question

Has anybody on here been refferred by your doctor to go talk to a mental health clinic to see if your depressed, are biopolar, or to find out the reason for anxiety attacks?? My doctor has asked me to go and talk to somebody but im very reluctant to and keep pushing people away who are trying to help. SOOO .. If you have been in this position , what happened when you went? ... how did you feel? and did it help at all going to talk to somebody

Answer 1

As a mental health practitioner with 20+ years experience, now retired, I can tell you from the clinician's point of view how I handle such a situation of a new client who is doubtful about coming to see me. It's not a new situation, so, I just welcome the person into my office, invite them to sit down and tell my why they are here. Usually, before they even sit down, I know whether they are reluctant to be in my office or not, so I might say something like, "And I bet you wish you were anywhere but here, right?". I keep the attitude as easy going and friendly as possible, but as realistic as possible so the new client has no reason to feel any more "suspicious" about being here than they usually feel. I keep the conversation as "laid back" as possible, just to make them feel better, and, whatever is said, or however much or little is said by the new client is okay with me. Getting a person to feel okay about coming to my office is a primary part of my initial session with them, and realizing that there are some people who just won't feel comfortable about being there is a realistic situation, so I don't panic about it. I just let things ride. Whenever the time is up, I cordially end our session and let them know they can return if they want, and what I think is the problem, or if I even think there is a problem to be concerned about, and then I walk with them back to the front office and say goodbye while they pay the secretary for the session and walk out. There's nothing "mysterious" about it, or at least not in my office, so, I don't act "mysterious". I'll let you know my diagnosis when you want to know, and there is a diagnosis entitled "No Diagnosis", so, I'll let you know if that's the way I feel too. My recommendation to you is give it a try. There truly isn't anything mysterious going on in there, or at least not in my office. We're just two people talking, and I just so happen to know a bit about human behavior, emotion and thinking, and try to use that knowledge in a favorable way for you. Give it a try. You most likely will like it. God Bless you.

Answer 2

I had a good psychologist in my younger days. He was from Pakistan and a very kind man and very helpful. Psychologists don't prescribe medication but I really didn't need any at the time anyways because he was so helpful in other ways.

There are good and bad psychologists and psychiatrists out there, so it's the luck of the draw. I had a psychiatrist that used to fall asleep during appointments, but he would prescribe me with mass amounts of amphetamines, barbiturates, and benzodiazepenes so I didn't really care at that time at such a young age.

If you can get a good psychologist then you will be happy with what you get out of it. The two best psychologists I ever had were from Pakistan and India. One was Dr. Prabu and the other was Dr. Affridi. Amazing doctors, very kind and they helped me get on course to be what I am today, although I still have my problem, I would have been nothing without good male role models in my life. My father left us at a young age and I was doing nothing with my life and then I met the good Dr. Affridi and he helped me get into University even as a high school dropout and I got into med-school after 4 years of doing my bachelors and the rest is history.

It's good to have support from someone who cares. Now i've had about 60% shrinks who didn't care, and 20% who moderately cared and 20% who truly cared.

I hope you will find a good doctor who will help you get on track and figure out the reasons for your anxiety and help you deal with them. Take care okay?

Answer 3

I went to a psychologist for two years. It was all very pragmatic-- nothing about my past really-- just practical things I could do now to improve my life.

It helped-- I went back to college because of the counseling.

But at a deeper level it didn't help. Right now I'm just working with a doctor on medication management for depression. I'm still in college though.

Answer 4

yes ive been referred to a psychologist before it really wasnt that bad i was nervous to start with because i am not very open about myself or my feelings and i dont open up very well i went for about 3 mos and then she started pushing me to talk about things i didnt want to talk about she wasnt a very good psychologist anyhow i really dont know how helpful she was i think it possibly could have been a waist of time but everyone is different

Answer 5

Why do you need a shrink when you have us???
There are some really cool people on here who can relate to what your going through,try to get hooked up with them .Shrinks just want their money ,they don't care.

Answer 6

talk to me cuz i am bipolar and can be anxoius. i will help u out. [e-mail]. also try online therapy www.metanoia.org, www.asktheinternettherapist.com. good luck.