Pushing away help...? It's out of my control...?

Question

When ever i see my psychiatrist and she asks me how I am, I automatically say i'm fine, But when really, I'm not.
I don't do it on purpose...it's hard to explain it. Like when she asks me how I feel like I can't tell her because the words wont come out of my mouth. I try to say them but if I do get some out, it's just stuttering nonsence that no one can understand.
Now she thinks i'm fine and wants to close my case file...and i'm not fine. It also happens when ever anyone asks me how i'm doing.
Why do I do this....? My doctor doesn't make me anxious so how do I get rid of doing this...?
Thanks

Answer 1

Keep a journal and write down your thoughts and feelings. Then, you can take that and summarize what your doctor needs to know. Taking something in writing to a doctor is easier for you both. It doesn't matter if you need to talk to a doctor about a physical problem that can be seen or something that can't be seen like depression; you can get your reason for going to the doctor across better if you have your symptoms written out ahead of your appointment.

For some reason we are condioned to say "I'm fine" whenever someone asks "How are you today?" We might be having a really bad day but we'll still say we're "fine." You aren't any different in that respect. Maybe going to another doctor is best - one who doesn't ask "How are you?" but instead says "Tell me about how you are feeling." If you want to stay with the same doctor, tell his/her what you are feeling rather than answering the question "How are you?"

Answer 2

I think you should change shrink. If she can't pick up on this during your meetings then I seriously question her ability to do her job. Don't be too hard on yourself, noone is perfect, just do what you can. Maybe you should try some alternative therapies too. I've heard that in many cases a chemical imbalance in the brain can be due to an allergic reaction to something you eat very regularly without thinking much about it, like egg or wheat or dairy for instance. Doctors know a lot, but what they know is dwarfed by what they don't. Good luck.

Answer 3

I suffered the same thing for a while. Just allow yourself to open up. It took me forever to do this but as long as your therepist is patient and supportive it should all work out. Make sure that she DOESNT close your case file. This is a sign of a bad therepist b/c they should still set up appointments to check up on you even if they THINK that you are "better". If you continue to find that a therepist doesnt work, you can try getting a new one, try group therepy or find a family member who might suffer from the same condition to help you. Good luck and always believe in yourself!

Answer 4

i know exactly how you feel. i was the same way and i finally realized that i wasn't truly comfortable with my doctor. you should look around and try to find the one you are most comfortable with. i did and now i am doing very well and don't feel like a liar when i say I'm fine. you may be feeling like you are being judged. that's how i felt. i urge you to look for someone you can talk to. especially if that someone is the person who prescribes your medications. good luck! P.S. try writing your feelings down on a list and then showing them to your doctor. maybe that would help too. :)

Answer 5

The problem may be that your psychiatrist isn't someone you, subconsciously know to trust. This may in itself be an issue the both of you might wish to discuss, if either one of you addresses it. I would encourage you to suggest it. Do it sensitively; watch for any resistance on the part of your psychiatrist.

Trust on this level, if your psychiatrist is open to exploring, within boundaries, might draw the both of you closer, so, you are more attuned to your psychiatrist and his/her personality. However, your psychiatrist may be someone who is not directive; he/she doesn't know how to re-divert a situation when a dead-lock or impasse is reached.

Perhaps there is too much random kinds of noise in your daily environment for you to bring your subconscious to a place you can hear yourself. You need to find a quiet place where you can hear yourself think to find out what your mind is thinking.

Answer 6

Try putting your concerns or feelings down in writing.....and then you can give them to the psychiatrist....this way you will avoid the obvious problems you have with communicating in what you appear to believe is a negative way about yourself....

You clearly need help....have the confidence to tyoe a decent question here...so simply type down the answers to the questions that you know you need to give but thus far have failed to make.........you might find that once the wall has been broken down once...that things get easier going forwards....

I wish you luck...

Answer 7

Its very easy - after initially beating one thing.......which in hinesight is yourself.....the reason you feel the way you do is because your brain is making you feel that way...it's all to do with chemical inbalances in the brain....you need to re-train your brain to think in a different way - it's amazing what you can do just by thinking positive.
This isn't some new age rubbish - I practice this myself....if you want to discuss it more then email me....i'll explain to you more in depth why your brain works the way it does and how you can counter act it.

Answer 8

I would take it as a good sign that you are reaching out here . . . it is a step at least and shows that you CAN reach out. Reinforce that thought in your mind, that you can reach out, and steel yourself to do just that when you meet your therapist. All the best

Answer 9

There is some really thoughtless and uncaring advice above my answer.

If you feel like you need help, you probably do. I agree with the woman who suggested you print out your question and show it to her - mail it to her if you need to.

"

Answer 10

Don't pay any attention to these nasty comments, this is exactly why people are afraid to express their feelings. Be honest next time about how your feeling.