1st time seeing a psychiatrist....?

Question

i just made an appointment to see a psychiatrist for the 31st. just making the appointment sent me into a panicky bawling mess. im extremely nervous about the appointment and terrified that i will just clam up and not be able to discuss my symptoms with this dr. any suggestions on how to relax while im filing out the massive stack of paperwork that i know awaits me when i get there? thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Bring a stress ball with you, or a stupid toy to play with---anything to distract you. Reading won't cut it, you need something to really focus on.

As to clamming up, that can totally happen. Write a list of things ahead of time! If there are 10 things you want to talk about, write a 10 item list and bring it with you. Then you can simply work down the list, and all the details are there, you don't have to dredge any memories up from your freaking-out mind. Also, even if you TOTALLY clam up, you can just hand the list to her/him with an apologetic look---s/he'll understand!

Just keep telling yourself that you made this decision, it's not something nasty that someone's forcing you to do. Taking ownership of needing help AND being awesome enough to start the process of getting it are things to be proud of! Tell yourself that! Good luck, hon.

Answer 2

In a few hours I am going to the doctor for much the same thing. I am 52 and yet have the mental age of my mother, in her 80s. My memory is completely shot. I am going gaga and do not want to live if I am just going to be one of those crusties with Alzheimers in a home dribbling for the rest of my life... I read an article in New Scientist that the anti-cholesterol medication I am on can affect the brain, depriving it of the cholesterol it needs to function properly. I went to a psychologist who is willing to help me, but told me bluntly first to get this medical problem in order, so she has a healthy brain to work with. It seems to me that you need to go immediately to your doctor, rather than wait for your psychiatrist (although the psychiatrist can diagnose brain medical disorders just as well, your doctor may be quicker). Keep your appointment with your psychiatrist anyway. Tell him what medication you are on, what your diet is, and you may well have to do a few blood tests, particularly blood sugars and blood fats. If the imbalance is hormonal (quite possible) then your doctor may prescribe antidepressants. Read the label and information carefully - any side-effects you go straight back and try another mix: diagnosis is difficult, and he may have got the wrong hormone imbalance, there are about three or four that can cause trouble. Do not expect any antidepressants to kick in for at least two weeks. If the problem is dietary (for example deficiency of zinc or selenium or Vitamin D or B) then relief could be very quick. Then you have to hang in there. No, dreadful metaphor, but you know what I mean! Take each day as it comes. Just because you cannot see anything, you are just as ill as someone with an arm or a leg in a splint. Try to eat sensibly and enough, and try to get out at least once a day for a walk. Exercise is a good treatment for depression, since it kickstarts other parts of you, like the liver, to generate brain food. I do think that with the right treatment you will make a full recovery, and the great thing about something like this, is that it teaches a lot about yourself which will come in handy later when you have to tackle life's little problems and steer yourself through answers.

Answer 3

You may tell a psychiatrist something that surprises them you will never tell one something that shocks one. They aren't there to judge you.

I know the fear about clamming up.

Be honest and don't hold back. When I first did I thought he wouldn't even knew what was bothering me. I was 18 and not only did he know what I was talking about he was surprised to be hearing an 18 year old say it. I had anxiety and depression. I'm in my mid fifties now and still need to see one 2 times a year for medication maintenance.

Psychiatrists are good at breaking the ice. You will be asked some surprising follow up questions. Keep your guard down. You may reveal something that can really help you.

My goals were way to long term and way to high , I was into driving myself and rigid and perfectionistic. The doctor had also treated my dad for depression. Years later I finally realized how much alike my dad and I were.

Answer 4

First, I would make sure you get there plenty early - like 30 minutes early to give you ample time to finish the paperwork without feeling stressed out. Second, remind yourself that you are doing this to help yourself, and that the more honest you are, the better your results will be. Third, know that any trained psychiatrist has heard all kinds of stories about all kinds of things and he or she is not there to judge you, but to help you. Also remember that some nervousness is normal - we all get a little nervous when meeting someone for the first time. Just breathe deeply, and relax. Good luck to you : )

Answer 5

Writing things down is a good idea, I also have a big problem with clamming up (to the point where I don't want to see my gp again). I am also waiting for an assessment and I'm getting very nervous. Tell yourself before you go in, I am going to say this, and will not clam up (worked for me once or twice but you have to do it for each occassion). Try to relax, being extremeluy nervous makes things worse.

Answer 6

Before you go, write down your symptoms and concerns. Bring the list with you. It is fairly common, even with regular doctors, for people to bring a list. Take deep breaths and try to relax. Whatever your symptoms and issues are, pdocs have already heard it. They will not judge you by them. They realize that it's an illness driving them, and is not a reflection on character. Most of your time with the pdoc will be talking about what's up with you. That's why the list is useful. The important thing is to be honest, and don't worry about being on your best behavior. Really, being your present state of normal is better than on your best behavior. It will give the pdoc a better idea of you are at.

I was stressed out my first time, too. After a while you realize that they are just people who happen to have a medical degree.

Answer 7

Alot of these ideas are great (writing down your questions) but they forgot to address the paperwork issue you brought up. It really isn't a huge lot of paperwork - most of it is circling something or whatever. While you want to be honest, you don't want to write loads of useless information that could qualify you as a literary person. You want to treat it like a court case - give the facts. Leave emotion out of it. If you're overemotional, just say you're overemotional. Don't write out a whole paragraph about being overly emotional.

Good luck.

Answer 8

i saw a psychiatrist for the first time a few months back in complience with my probation. i was honestly looking forward to it. ive always kinda wanted someone to pick my brain and tell me what in the hell was all going on up there! advice is a great thing!! espescially when the person youre getting it from is in an unbiased position. i know it can be difficult to tell a complete stranger your problems and all the bad stuff youve done, but they are there to help you! and trust me, chances are extremely high that theyve heard alot worse than what theyll hear from you. the ABSOLUTELY most important thing to do is just be honest. think of them as your friend because THEY ARE!!! dont look at this as something you have to do. look at it as something you GET TO DO! alot of people need help and either dont have the funds, or dont have the people in their lives to help them out. take advantage of your situation!!! good luck to you.

Answer 9

firstly remember the psychiatrist is human too! so there is nothing to be scared.. n yaa reading ur previous questions too i really feel u need someone to talk to.. y not consider the doc to be a good frnd with whom u can share everything? remember the doc is there to HELP u out...so just feel free to tell him/her everything thats troubling u! it is gonna help u..good luck :)

Answer 10

Try to relax and go in the office with an open mind. Just be yourself.