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Appointment with a psychiatrist

Posted , 9 users are following.

Knowle_Rohrer
Knowle_Rohrer

I have been suffering from severe depression and my GP has refered me to the community mental health team. I have an appointment with a psychiatrist on Tuesday.

What can I expect in this appointment? If someone else who has been through a similar process could comment I would appreciate it.

0 likes, 41 replies

41 Replies

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  • becky33106
    becky33106 Knowle_Rohrer

    Posted

    Just to clarify: a psychiatrist is a medical doctor (specialist in mental health, like a cardiologist is a specialist in hearts) who prescribes medication. They don't generally do ''therapy'', counselling etc, but are there cos they're experts on the drugs and give diagnoses. In my experience they're far better than GP's for medication as GP's only have a general overview of the drugs and don't have so much experience. Psychologists/psychotherapists do the talking therapy/CBT etc. I really feel for you, feeling so bad, I have been there and am actually there again at the moment. It may be a good idea to see a psychiatrist to get you on some medication which will help you out of the deepest part of the pit before the psychologist will be able to help with the therapy. Good luck with it all
  • caroleUJ62
    caroleUJ62 Knowle_Rohrer

    Posted

    I have been referred to psychiatrists in the past as well as had counselling and seen community nurses and psychologists.

    Out of all of them, I would say that the psychiatrist is usually the most 'clinical' and least sympathetic, because their job is really just to work out whether you need a prescription of anti-psychotic medication which is normally too specialised for a GP to prescribe, and/or to work out if maybe you do need sectioning.

    Sorry to make it sound like a not very nice experience, but for me it wasnt. I would go to it though if I were you because you might have a better experience.

    I was prescribed anti-psychotics, which helped for a while, but I came off them when I realized that they make you put on weight.

    I still struggle with depression but find talking therapy and other things like massage help quite alot.

  • anne240
    anne240 Knowle_Rohrer

    Posted

    I  have see quite a few psychiatrists in the many years I have had depression. Basiucally they ask you how you are and a few other questiuons and then ask you how you are getting on with your medication, and may, or may not advise you to tsake more medication or adjust what you are on.  It is not like on TV where you lay on a couch and tell them all your deepest thoughts.  

    It is a bit like seeing your own doctor really.  Certainly nothing to worry about, although you can't help worrying.  Sounds intimidating but it is not.

    In my case a psychiatrist also recommend I volunarily go into a psychiatric hospital, but that is not what they would do on your first appointment.  They will then monitor you.

    Hope you benefit from your appointment.

    • preshy2
      preshy2 anne240

      Posted

      Thank you, I don't feel worried as such, I just can't fathom how talking can help. I already know what has caused my depression, (a recent marriage break up for one). I know what needs to change in my life, but can't afford to make those changes. I'm working on it though. I imagine it will be good to talk, but it's a change of circumstances I really need.
    • Knowle_Rohrer
      Knowle_Rohrer anne240

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply confused

      I am still dreading the appointment and I am comfort eating big time to try and manage my feelings. I am still having strong suicidal thoughts and the thought of having to go to a psychiatric ward terrifies me.

    • caroleUJ62
      caroleUJ62 Knowle_Rohrer

      Posted

      Please dont dread the appt. The psychiatrists job is to help, and when I was at my lowest, quite frankly if I had been referred to a psychiatric ward, it would have been a huge relief.

      I know lots of people say stuff like - you dont want to end up there - theyr'e awful, etc. but I have known a few people quite well who have been patients on them, and actually did get alot of support and confidence back from their stay on them.

      I think some people seem determined not to get better, but if you are willing to let people help you, they actually really can.

      Stick with it.

    • anne240
      anne240 caroleUJ62

      Posted

      Very good advice.  I have spent a few weeks in a psychiatric hospital and they just want you to get well. 
    • Knowle_Rohrer
      Knowle_Rohrer anne240

      Posted

      I had my appointment yesterday and it was not enjoyable. I felt uncomfortable with the psychiatrist and going through my history and circumstances.

      I feel really low this morning as well and am having strong suicidal thoughts sad

    • caroleUJ62
      caroleUJ62 Knowle_Rohrer

      Posted

      Did the psychiatrist recommend any particular treatment, or dont you know yet?
    • Knowle_Rohrer
      Knowle_Rohrer caroleUJ62

      Posted

      He recommended doubling my dosage of Mirtazapine to 30mg per day.

      I feel really trapped as I could never bring myself to go through with suicide and cannot see myself getting better either.

    • anne240
      anne240 Knowle_Rohrer

      Posted

      You will feel better than you do now.  Believe me because I have battled depression for nearly 30 years.  I have been through hell and back.  I know what it is like.  Keep battling, don't let the depression win.

      I know you think now you will never feel better than you do now, but I have been where you are a lot of times, but I battled, and fought, and I am still here.

      I don't consider myself a strong person, but hell I wouldn't let this illness beat me and take away my life.  Small steps, take the downs and the ups as they come.  Things will improve even if you really don't think they will.

      I am rooting for you.

    • Lauriejane
      Lauriejane anne240

      Posted

      anne has given good advice. I am in the middle of a hellish depression and wish it would end. I have been here before and you feel there is no end in sight, at that point you think that taking your life is the only way out. Don't go that route, when the depression lifts and you look back you will be so glad you stuck it out. Don't let it beat you, you are stronger than you think. There is nothing to be ashamed of your illness is a result of an imbalance in your bodies chemistry it will pass with time and medication. Be absolutely open with friends and your physiatrist they are all wishing the best for you, as everyone one this site are. Don't dispair you will get better believe me. All the best. Ian 
    • Knowle_Rohrer
      Knowle_Rohrer Lauriejane

      Posted

      Thank you for your kind replies.

      I do not have the courage or strength to kill myself and am very scared of botching an attempt and putting myself in a worse position. It would also destroy my Mother as well and I also have good friends.

      The worst thing is feeling trapped that I cannot die and I am never going to feel better. I am only 28 so the chances are I have a long time to go before I die as well.

    • caroleUJ62
      caroleUJ62 Knowle_Rohrer

      Posted

      I have felt like killing myself and have tried a few times, and been close to succeeding.  

      Now, ironically I am terrified of dying and am depressed and full of anxiety because of the damage I have/might have done to my health. I have been so drunk when on a drink binge through being depressed that I have fallen and knocked myself out several times, and now am finding out that this increases your'e chance of getting Alzheimer's disease.

      My mum has it, and its so painful to see her like that, I can hardly ever visit her - which I feel very ashamed about. She was such a beautiful independant lady, and Alzheimers just devastates a person, takes away their humanity.

      Dont ever wish for death at your'e young age, because if you do anything which you cant undo because of depression, you will really regret it years down the line.

      Carole.

       

    • Lauriejane
      Lauriejane caroleUJ62

      Posted

      Caroline, you are a strong woman. You owe it to your mum to keep going. There is no reason that you should get ailsheimers. Putthat idea behind you and celibrate your mum

      Ian

    • Lauriejane
      Lauriejane Knowle_Rohrer

      Posted

      Hi your not going to die. Living through depression gives you the feeling that it will never end

      I know, but it will, one day the depression will lift, it doesn't feel like that now, it feels like it will go on forever, that your trapped and there is no were to go. But it is all in your mind, and believe me if you hang on in there it will pass and you will feel the joy of life again. I know that where your at this seems impossible, but it is true, you will recover from this horrible state, hang in there, lots of us have been there and came out the other end. Ian.

    • Lauriejane
      Lauriejane Knowle_Rohrer

      Posted

      Hi Knowle, your not going to die. You have a full life ahead of you. Believe me I have been where you are in my 30s and am now in my sixties. When your in depression it feels like you will never get out, but it will pass, believe me, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Its so painfull now that its hard to believe that the depression will ever end but it will. You can do it I know. Ian

    • caroleUJ62
      caroleUJ62 Lauriejane

      Posted

      Thanks so much Ian.  Your'e reply has given me enough encouragement to do a session on my excercise bike. Hard exercise is one of the things that can ward off Alzheimers - as well as lots of other stuff which I now try to do. Unfortunately my depression has got in the way of me actually bothering to excercise, even though I know how important it is.   

      My husband doesnt seem to have alot of sympathy. He is a very pragmatic person, although very supportive. His dad started getting Alzheimers at 71 and died of it 5-6 years later, despite being one of the most intellectual people I have ever known as well as a lovely man. So my husband thinks he's as likely to get it as I am, if not more. 

      The truth is that illness and death has no scruples. It will take you whether you are good or bad, and sometimes whatever you do to try to escape it.

      Oh my God, please let the antidepressants work soon!! I'm on sertraline. I was thinking of stoppping, by I saw my doctor today, and he definitely wants me to carry on with them.

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