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Psychiatrist

Tue, 11/07/2006 - 10:06
This is making me a little nervous. I'm just not sure what to think. My family doctor (the one I don't particularly care for and am working on ridding myself of) decided back in September that it would be in my best interest to send me to a psych. His reasoning was to help balance out the AEDs with anti-depressants. I don't know what to think about all this. I know I've mentioned it before. However, my appointment is November 15 at 1pm. That's next week, so I am a little bit nervous about what to think. What would you think? Have you been to a psych? What do I expect? My appointment is scheduled for a full hour. What sorts of things should I ask?

Comments

Re: Re: Psychiatrist

Submitted by boudica on Thu, 2006-11-09 - 12:56
Hi Mousie, I have seen psychiatrists and psychologists. Psychiatrists are MD/PhD, and usually manage any antidepressant medications. Unless you are going in for hard-core psychoanalysis, you usually see a psychologist for psychotherapy. Psychologists do not have to be MDs, just PhD. One of my old neurologists said that every seizure disorder patient should be referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist, because seizures are traumatic, period. What a psycholoist says and does depends on why you see them. You should talk to them and tell them all your concerns, and not screen anything from them. For example, if you are depressed, tell them all about it. Tell them how you feel. The worst mistakes people make seeing mental health pro.'s is not being honest, because they feel ashamed about being referred. Try to see this as the first step to things getting much better for you.

Re: Re: Re: Psychiatrist

Submitted by boudica on Thu, 2006-11-09 - 12:58
Also, check out this link for practical tips about making the most out of your appointment.: http://www.dbsalliance.org/Info/Psychotherapy.html

Re: Re: Re: Re: Psychiatrist

Submitted by fzMousie on Thu, 2006-11-09 - 13:08
Thank you. I have flip flopped back and forth on whether or not I think it is necessary or whatever. I've also gone up and down on how much I trust the idea of seeing a psychologist. The link you gave me isn't working right now. I'll try again a bit later. Thank you.

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