Anyone seen a psychiatrist ?

[LostThePlotEncore]

I’ve been seeing a therapist for almost a year. She has told me that she cannot officially diagnose but believes I have clinical depression and have had for a long time. I have been on antidepressants most of my adult life, at least 25 years. I’ve tried Citalopram. sertraline and I am now on Venfalaxine (sp?) and I’m no different. I have short periods when I’m reasonably ok but I’m just numb to everything now. She thinks I need to see a psychiatrist to get some support with more specialised medication. Assume a GP cannot do this? Has anyone else been in a similar position and can share their experience please?

I’ve seen loads. They are rarer than hens teeth on the NHS

Id say they have a beet understanding than gp’s and are prepared to used medications together more than a Gp.

Definitely try to see one if you can. They are medical doctors who specialise in mental health and so they understand all the issues and medications in a much deeper level.

I think I’d see someone privately based on her recommendation. To be honest, despite my initial shock I think it would help me understand myself better. I jus don’t want to feel like this anymore.

I’ve seen NHS and private psychiatrists over the last 3 decades.
Definitely worth seeing a private one to get your symptoms and medication reviewed

I’m worried I’ll get diagnosed with something scary!

I see one regularly (privately). They definitely have the ability to prescribe a much wider range of medications and combinations of medications which can be really helpful. I had a separate therapist for a while but prefer just seeing a psychiatrist these days .

Don’t worry the men in white coats won’t come to take you away!
What are you scared of being diagnosed with?

Bipolar worries me a bit. I think, as does my therapist, that it’s just clinical depression that has been going on for years.

A psychiatrist could look at combining low dose antipsychotics with ADs as that can be used for treatment-resistant depression.

Have you only tried those 3 abtidepressants?

Yes only tried those three I think.

@LostThePlotEncore what is more scary than not knowing and not receiving appropriate treatment?
Easy to say I know as I frequently postpone physical health tests until I am mentally ready...
But getting a proper mental health diagnosis: plus appropriate medication and therapy has changed my life (and I am now ready to get the physical stuff sorted).
Wishing you all the best.

Been there done that..... I thought i was just depressed and had been since my late teens. On seeing the psychiatrist he told me he was assessing for bipolar, split personality disorder and PTSD. I have C-PTSD and having a proper diagnosis made me understand myself so much better.

Out of interest, what dose of venlaflaxine are you on? I only ask because it was my life saver after trying other meds.....but im on 350mg.

Definitely try see someone private if you can, sooner you get a resolution, the better you can be supported/medicated.

Not me, but a close relative did. Had similar ongoing issues (on and off) for years. Last episode did not respond to treatment with GP. Finally went privately to see a psychiatrist and could see the difference within a week. Definitely worth the money.

Yes a few times over the years.. first when l was 29 and had my first stay in a psychiatric hospital. Im now 67 and last time l saw one was this time last year. Im diagnosed with clinical depression... im on sertraline and duloxetine at the moment.. having been on just about every anti depressants going. .. occasionally l will have 1 to weeks of diazepam prescribed. .
Luckily the ones l have seen have all been fantastic.... l was given Prozac once but it made me worse ..extremely worse and he recognised straight away and helped me come off it.

Thank you al so much for your replies. Might be a silly question but how do they actually diagnose? Like there are no tests for these things so is it just through conversation?

It can't be scarier than the way you feel now surely. Once you know what it is you can research the condition online and get loads of self help tips.
I was diagnosed with CPTSD by a psychiatrist and after some work I don't need medication anymore.

CPTSD has also been mentioned….i just can’t imagine ever feeling different.

Do not let them diagnose you with bpd/eupd its a lazy diagnosis and will ruin your life. That's what happened to me.

Isn’t this what they diagnose undiagnosed ASD females with?

Often yes

What’s eupd?

Understandable, since diagnosis means a label and possible discrimination, but at the end of the day diagnosed or not, you still experience the symptoms and the only way to access properly qualified care and treatment is to go see the shrink. GP's just aren't equipped to deal with anything more complex than simple depressions and anxiety.

Modern title for what used to be known as Borderline Personality Disorder, or BPD for short.

Emotionally unstable personality disorder previously known as borderline personality disorder