Psychiatrist - what to expect??

[BeachBunni]

Hi everybody. I've suffered on and off with depression for about 12 years. At one stage I was on ADs and seeing a paych nurse for CBT. I never really found either much help so eventually tried to cope with it myself.

Anyway I found out I was pregnant recently and decided after a particularly bad week that I had to get myself sorted and get help. I went to see a nurse again and she did a psychiatrict assessment and has referred me to a psychiatrist for an urgent appt as I have serious depression (her words, not mine).

I'm really nervous about seeing him though. Will he just ask me all the same things again? I promised myself I wouldn't cry when seeing psychiatrict nurse but five minutes into it, I was bawling. I found the whole thing really draining and had to go into the tiolets for a good sob after. I came out thinking 'I should have said this, and should have said I feel like that', it was like I'd been in an exam.

My mind goes blank when I'm stressed out. Could I maybe write down a few pointers before I go into to see him so I don't forget anything?

The nurse said I will prob be prescribed ADs but I'm very dubious about taking any tablets, esp now when I'm pregnant.

Sorry for going on but I haven't even told my partner any of this yet. Maybe that's my problem, bottling things up.

Don't worry BeachBunni..I'm a psychiatrist, and we don't bite ! We are here to help...
Writing thing down is a great idea, I often tell patients to do that...after all your psychiatrist will probably write what you say down.
ADs can be perfectly safe during pregnancy, your psychiatrist will take this into consideration. Your CBT may be more helpful once you're established on ADs.
Don't worry about crying either, they will be quite used to it.
Tell your partner and better still take them with you to the appointment,your psychiatrist will be happy to meet them, as they will be important in helping you get better.
And don't forget most people become doctors because they genuinely care for people and want to help.
Hope you feel better soon, and good luck with your pregnancy...I'm expecting too !!

I saw one on Saturday for an assessment following a serious accident which has left me clinically depressed-according to heim.
He has recommended CBT but I have no idea what this entails?

By the way,the man was charming and very understanding so please do not worry-as Mozhe says-they are there to help and they want to.

Good luck.

CBT stands for cognitive behaviour therapy, it is very effective for a range of mental health problems....There are lots of self-help books out there that run along CBT lines, but why not ask your GP to refer you for an assessment ? You may have to pay for it in some areas as there is a chronic lack of practitioners,if so it will be expensive unless you have medical insurance ?

Thank you both. I think I will take some notes in with me as my mind goes blank when I'm asked questions about how I'm feeling. I've never found it easy to talk to people about my emotions. I know they're used to crying as the nurse just handed me a box of tissues and told me cry away.
I suppose I worry about seeing these people again, on the street or in Tescos or something. I know that sounds stupid.
I really don't think I could take my partner in with me. I don't think I could be as honest with him there and I would feel slightly embarassed. He's had to deal with so much more in his life, which he has done so remarkably well. I've relied a lot on him on the past and want to to do this for me, by myself.
There's also a couple of issues from my past that the nurse highlighted and said I should have been offered counselling for and one especially is a bit close to home for my partner.
Anyway thank you both for your words of encouragement. I'll try not to be a nervous wreck. Oh and all the best with your pregnancy mozhe

Beachnunni - {{{{{hugs}}}}} and here are the tissues....

I have seen a number of pyschiatrists over the years, and atm, like you amd going through a very low depression period. I am now under the care of the community mental health team and see pyschs, cpns and an occupational therapist.

The first time I met my latest pysch I was in a very bad way. I was very uncommunicative. But somehow, within 10 mins he had me talking and then crying. He almost ignored the crying part and carried on (not in an unsympatetic way) and steered the conversation for me. I didnt need to volunateer anything. but, as my friend who had taken me there said afterwards, he didnt leave a stone unturned. So, I suppose what I am saying is, they are experienced and used to dealing with 'people like us'. the most important thing is, dont be afraid. they are there to help.

good luck. Let us know when you get the appt? more {{{{hugs}}}}

PS Meant to say, i am exactly the same as you with my dh - I dont tell him things, I do it because I think I am 'protecting' him. but in the end it is protecting at all.

Thank you losty. It's comforting to hear from people who have gone through the same thing. It's hard not to feel so alone at times.

My dp is a wonderful man and has stuck by me even though it must have been hard for him at times. I can tell him a bit, but there's a lot I keep close to my heart and have never told anyone. It must be difficult for him to be there for the symptoms of my depression but never really know all that goes on in head.

I'll definately be popping back. Thank you for the hugs, there's nothing like a good hug to cheer you up

I saw one 5 years ago when I had depression and each session definately got easier as you build up the trust and a relationship with them.

I was also referred to a psycologist for cognitive behaviour therapy which was great as it makes you focus on the positives.

He also monitored and altered my medication as necessary and devised the 'weaning off' program.

Anyone who can tell me about wha to expect from a CBT session?

expect it to change your life!

I found the first couple of sessions really hard and i was very upset but i think thats part of facing up to things and starting to get better. it was mainly getting to know you and relationship building at first so it should hav been easy but its the fear of the unknown that made it hard. Looking back on it i am amazed`at how it all worked and how much it has helped. good luck. x

Struggling to remember but one of the practical things I did was to start an exercise book (nicest one I could find - pink fluffy with minnie mouse on from Disney) by sectioning it into different aspects of my life.

First was childhood, then teens, twenties, current etc

For each heading I had to list achievements and things I was/am good at, including positive feedback. So for the first few it was basics like learning to ride a bike, gaining distance metres swimming badges, passing exams, first job, getting married etc.

The current was harder as I didn't feel valued or worthy or good about myself but when I started to list what I was actually good at, such as breast feeding, making homemade weaning food, having a clean house, making new friends (through post natal depression group), helping people/family with things it made me think that actually, I am a great person after all and this was a big realisation that helped me start to put things into perspective. I also went to an interview and one of the guys said at the end 'its been an absolute delight meeting you and talking to you today'. It was such a massive confidence boost and was great to write down as a reminder that I wasn't this awful person I thought I was!

I suffered dreadful depression through both pregnancies. I refused to take medication and was referred. I'm not sure I was right not to take ad's as both pregnancies were a terrible time in my life. The good news is that it melted away both times once the baby was born.
The psychiatrist sessions did make me cry, they started by taking a detailed history but I didn't feel embarrassed crying really. It wasn't very useful. I suppose that because I was refusing the tablets there wasn't much they could do since I wasn't severe enough for anything else, I don't really know. I felt that they were keeping an eye on me more than anything else.
It helps though to feel there is something there for you if you need it. I know how awful you must be feeling...poor you.