What should I expect from a Psychiatrist?

Question

Im going to start seeing a pyschiatrist next month and I don't really know what to expect and Im kind of scared. Im not crazy or anything like that, Im just not as happy I feel I should be so I decided to see whats going on in my head and if it's normal to think the things that I do. So anyone who has any advice on what to expect from this, could you please let me know.
P.S. I dont want to hear from anyone who thinks they know what I should expect , only someone whos actually beeen through it. THANKS!!

Answer 1

Hi there!

I have seen 3 psychiatrists in the last 8 years, and I will tell you straight up that if you don't like them on the first visit, do not go back. So much depends on the "connection".

Also, find out if your psychiatrist does therapy or just does drugs. Psychiatrists LOVE to give medicines.

You might want to look into a therapist or psychologist. They use various types of "talking" to get to why you are unhappy. They also can offer ways of how to change this, and don't use medication.

I have a therapist and a psychiatrist and it works very well for me.

I would ask your psychiatrist some questions like:
What's your approach to treatment?
How do you decide to give drugs?
Is your concentration in therapy or medication?
What is your availability if I have a problem?

And anything else you are concerned with. Psychiatrists can sometimes be intimidating, since they (the normal ones) are seeing you (the one with the problem). Don't be afraid to follow your instinct or speak up. Most importantly, don't feel guilty about anything you say or leaving them to find another. A. they work for you B. they've seen it all before.

Good luck! I'm glad you're not settling for so-so!
Amelia

Answer 2

I have found that "unhappiness" comes from our personal "self-talk", which is the kinds of thought patterns and and conversations we have with ourselves on a daily basis. The cure is ~a positive mental attitude~. The ONLY way to develop this is to constantly monitor our private thoughts and anytime a negative thought enters the mind, release it and replace it with a positive thought. At first it is a lot of work but with practice you will find that you will get very good at it. This is indeed both a cognitive and behavioral change because you are choosing to change the way you view things and developing new skills to deal with various kinds of conflicts. If you unconsciously and compulsively tell yourself bad things and anticipate negative outcomes, you will actually create exactly that which you tell yourself. This may sound cliché but it is ever so true: our thoughts form our reality!

First identify the problems getting you down and determine actions you can take to improve these circumstances. Ask for help if necessary. Focus on positive outcomes (don't even consider negative outcomes). Then take the first step ... if you don't begin you will never see change. And learn from your mistakes.

Ultimately you will miraculously discover that happiness is not an "end-result" but rather a "process". You can not "find" happiness ... you can only ~choose~ to "be" happy.

So what are you choosing and what are you doing about it?

Psychiatry does have it's place in the world ... it can help in cases of emotional crisis where an individual is entertaining hurting himself or others; however, in the long run, there must be ~behavioral~ changes and ~attitude changes~ to effect permanent, drug-free, longterm change.

Answer 3

I've seen a psychiatrist and I've lived to tell the tale :D. It can be a little scary at first, I remember my first session I just sat there silently for the first 15 minutes because I just couldn't open myself up. But after a while you just learn that it is just like talking except a lot more honest and you really don't need to censor yourself. I think the most important thing you should do is make sure you don't edit yourself. That's what my Doc always told me. Just say what's on your mind and if it didn't come out right then tell him/her. So never ever edit yourself. Also, I think it's important to know that a psychiatrist starts off as a normal doctor, then specifies into mental health. So anything you say to your General Practitioner or family doctor you can say to your psychiatrist. So if you're feeling physically sick then tell them because they know how to help you. Other than that I think it's just like having a really honest converstaion focused completely on you. And if you don't click with your Doc, then give it a couple weeks then serisouly discuss it with them. Don't be afraid to hurt their feelings because a good doctor really wants to know how you truly feel. Good Luck!
Also, you can end up with two kinds of therapy, medication therapy (pills) that are monitered constantly by your Doc. Then CBT which is cognitive behavioural therapy and is more talking and learning techniques to change the way you feel by changing your think patterns. CBT is really useful because it forces you to seriously evaluate how you think about things and it will last you for the rest of your life. My Doc is doing a combination of both, so you might be either either or both of those things.
I would suggest you take one of your parents with you (if possible) for the first session because they really need to get an idea of how you were when you were young and you have to fill out an extensive medical history form on the first visit.

Answer 4

I was scared to death when I first went to my psychiatrist a few months ago. I thought, "This person's going to think I'm crazy." But honestly, there's no such thing as "normal." So don't feel like you're crazy or be embarrassed to speak freely. Believe me, they've heard it all. I showed my psych marks on my arm where I had cut myself and she said "Oh honey, I've seen far worse, trust me."

As for what to expect on your visit. The psych will ask you questions and collect your general history regarding your depression, or just talk to you and get an idea of what the problem may be. I had been depressed a long time so mine asked when I first started feeling depressed, did anything trigger it, how do I feel when I'm depressed, have I ever thought of harming myself (make sure you get a clear definition on this...I always ask "do you mean suicide or self harm, like cutting, etc.). He/she may ask you about your family to see if there's a history of depression, anxiety, etc. He/she will ask about your sleep patterns and your appetitie.

It's not a terrible experience. Like others have said, it's important to get a psych that you feel comfortable with.

One last thing, it's always important to be honest b/c it'll help make sure that you get a correct diagnosis. But to be honest, I kept a few things to myself, like planning suicide two or three times. I just told my psych that I thought about it. Sometimes I wonder whether it would have made a difference if I told her the whole truth. So I don't know, you can decide what you want to say & what you don't. I didn't think that made a difference, since I never attempted suicide. But you may just want to get it all out if you feel comfortable doing so. Good luck and don't be scared or embarrassed. Psychiatrists are doctors just like the gyno, cardiologist, dermatologist, etc.

Answer 5

The psychiatrist will ask you questions approximately your self and what themes you possibly experiencing. it incredibly is named an assessment or assessment which normally takes as much as an hour to an hour and a 0.5. by ability of that factor he will arise with a diagnose for you or would refer you to counseling. If the psychiatrist diagnoses you with melancholy, he will better than probable prescribe anti-depressants and ask you to come again back in a week or in an attempt to be certain how the anti-depressants are effecting you and to video show no rely if or no longer they're the splendid drugs for you. only be hassle-free and open as attainable and concern will pass nicely. good success.

Answer 6

there, doing that.....where I live psychiatrists may also be therapists so depends where you live. your psychiatrist may refer you to a therapist, but may also prescribe medication. You have the right to choose to take or not take medication. Remember what ever they prescribe everything should be explained to you in a way that you have no lingering questions and feel comfortable with the way your treatment is going.

There are many ways to do therapy. At any time if you are not feeling comfortable with the way your therapy is going you have the right to have questions answered and ask for a second opinion. You also have the right to ask for references or discontinue or take breaks as you feel is right for you. Your therapist should honor and respect that as well as validate you in your work and experiences.A good therapist should be able to clearly explain what methods of therapy they use and allow you to decide which method would best suit you.

You may have questions about your therapist. Some times therapists will bring their own religious and/or cultural views into therapy with them. You will want to be aware of where they are coming from before you give a lot of information about yourself. I have, when searching for a therapist, asked for interviews before beginning therapy. Doing this can give you a fairly good idea if you would feel comfortable talking about personal issues in future sessions. You may want to tell them you'd like some time to think about the interview before scheduling an actual session appointment. This is a huge and important investment in yourself so take your time deciding what you feel is best for you.
wish you the best!

Answer 7

Detached, unfeeling, necessary coldness... and a few words of wisdom. A mantra or two if they are in a good mood?

Probably a prescription immediately after a nod and maybe... If you're lucky if they are not twice as neurotic as you are? A condescending pat on the back and an appointment to repeat the process as often as you can afford it?

Then after that... a Bi-monthly 20 minute booster visit to check on how the meds are treating you as they drag themselves through having to listen to your problems.

But it honestly is different for everyone. You get out of what you need from it.

Answer 8

Psychiatrists are people too, and they see many patients. You don't need to feel nervous. Just be as honest and specific as possible. They will listen to you and offer help, possibly some medication or recommend a therapist. Psychiatrists usually manage medication, they don't usually do talk therapy. Therapists do that. Hope that helps.

Answer 9

usually they are really nice, but it's important that if you don't feel a rapport with them, you need to look for another doc. don't be afraid, many people see phychiatrists for many different reasons, and it doesn't mean you are crazy.

your first appointment will consist of them asking you about your medical history as well as all about why you are there. they might prescribe medication but it depends on their judgement. after the first appointment, you will periodically come back and see them for medication follow-ups to make sure you are responding to meds, or they might refer you to a therapist if all you need is talk therapy.

Answer 10

They just sit there and let you talk. Then say, how does that make you feel? or similar things to let you talk out your problem, so you could do that without help.
You need them if you need a prescription, other than that they are of no use
Group therapy really sucks.