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Psychiatrist? What to expect? - 10/26/2014 6:57:21 PM

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I'm going to the Psychiatrist for the first time ever tomorrow. While I'm sure every doc is different, any idea what I can generally expect?

I'm a crunchy hippy, and I'm not totally thrilled about the process, but I'll admit the klonopin that my OB prescribed did really help so I now feel this is a path I should at least look into.

Although I would be way more thrilled if mary jane were a prescription for PTSD here in NH, but not yet.

RE: Psychiatrist? What to expect? - 10/26/2014 7:04:31 PM

darkwanderer3305

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While mj is always preferable, sometimes in life we need to find that extra bit of help.

In my experience, going to a psychiatrist is a quick in and out. He/she will ask a few basic questions, look at your records (and/or the usual questionnaires you fill out before the actual meet), then write you a script.

Quick, painless, and much more effective if you combine that treatment with counseling.

(in reply to shiftyw)

RE: Psychiatrist? What to expect? - 10/26/2014 7:08:56 PM

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I was referred there by my counselor. She said that a lot of people really like this doctor too- especially people who feel the same way I do about psych drugs- so I hope its pretty painless, thanks for reassuring me.

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RE: Psychiatrist? What to expect? - 10/26/2014 8:03:38 PM

darkwanderer3305

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Anytime.... After all, mental health is just as important as physical health. Hope you get what you need from this new doc...

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RE: Psychiatrist? What to expect? - 10/27/2014 2:10:41 PM

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So...I went. I'm on Wellbutrin.
I have my first official diagnosis of PTSD. She was kinda like "But you've been seeing shrinks for 8 years, so you kinda knew that already right?" Which I did.

I feel a bit like...melancholy I guess about it. She thinks a low does of this would help motivate me and keep me a bit happier and less anxious. So I'm hoping it helps. Just kinda sad about it being "official".

ETA- I really liked the doctor. Like a lot. She kept it pretty light and didn't make me cry, which I thought she would.

She also explained that I might stop having orgasms if I were on Effexor (which she initially wanted to prescribe) and I said "I'd really prefer to continue to have orgasms..." to which she said "Wellbutrin it is then!"- so I really appreciated that.

< Message edited by shiftyw -- 10/27/2014 2:14:10 PM >

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RE: Psychiatrist? What to expect? - 10/27/2014 2:23:50 PM

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Well, I think you should be very happy with the diagnosis, it means you have PTSD and that you are not just plain nuts.

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RE: Psychiatrist? What to expect? - 10/27/2014 2:32:57 PM

Gauge

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quote:

ORIGINAL: shiftyw

So...I went. I'm on Wellbutrin.
I have my first official diagnosis of PTSD. She was kinda like "But you've been seeing shrinks for 8 years, so you kinda knew that already right?" Which I did.

I feel a bit like...melancholy I guess about it. She thinks a low does of this would help motivate me and keep me a bit happier and less anxious. So I'm hoping it helps. Just kinda sad about it being "official".

ETA- I really liked the doctor. Like a lot. She kept it pretty light and didn't make me cry, which I thought she would.

She also explained that I might stop having orgasms if I were on Effexor (which she initially wanted to prescribe) and I said "I'd really prefer to continue to have orgasms..." to which she said "Wellbutrin it is then!"- so I really appreciated that.

There is no reason to feel melancholy about it being official, you already knew there was a problem, your doctor just put a label on it. I understand how you feel though, when I was "officially" diagnosed it was a bittersweet thing for me. On the one hand, I never had a name for what I had been experiencing all my life, and on the other hand, I now knew that I had a mental illness.

Hopefully the medication will help you. You have to be aware that it might take a little time for your doctor to find exactly what works for you specifically and that can be an arduous process. Be honest with your doctor if you feel that it isn't helping, she might add something or increase your dosage. Be patient.

Hang in there, you'll be OK.

_____________________________

"For there is no folly of the beast of the earth which is not infinitely outdone by the madness of men." Herman Melville - Moby Dick

I'm wearing my chicken suit and humming La Marseillaise.

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RE: Psychiatrist? What to expect? - 10/27/2014 2:38:57 PM

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I guess, for 8 years I've avoided it being in my medical record so that I don't have to explain it to doctors, and now I get to all the time. It also means I need to tell my parents about it, Or at least that I should...idk. It's my last day not on anything for it so now I'm kinda hiding out watching bad tv and eating candy. =\ my guy gets home soon and will hopefully hide out with me a bit

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RE: Psychiatrist? What to expect? - 10/27/2014 2:53:40 PM

Gauge

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quote:

ORIGINAL: shiftyw

I guess, for 8 years I've avoided it being in my medical record so that I don't have to explain it to doctors, and now I get to all the time. It also means I need to tell my parents about it, Or at least that I should...idk. It's my last day not on anything for it so now I'm kinda hiding out watching bad tv and eating candy. =\ my guy gets home soon and will hopefully hide out with me a bit

If I can offer a bit of advice to you, one thing that helped me deal with my illness is that I embraced it as part of me. I made up my mind that it would not define who I was, but that it was going to be something that I would live with for the rest of my life so I may as well get used to the idea.

Don't be ashamed of your illness either. Not that you should be proud of it, but definitely do not hide it either; it is an illness just like anything else. I do not crow about my illness to anyone who will listen, but I am not about to be afraid to talk about it either. The people close to you should know that you have a mental illness, and you should be prepared to help educate them about it. Telling your parents is up to you, but in my opinion, if they care about you they should be told.

The funny part about this is that you are no different now than you were before you walked into the doctors office. Nothing about you changed, you may feel like you've been kicked around a bit, but you are still you, in all your glorious youness.

Chin up, you took a big step today and it's a step in the right direction.

_____________________________

"For there is no folly of the beast of the earth which is not infinitely outdone by the madness of men." Herman Melville - Moby Dick

I'm wearing my chicken suit and humming La Marseillaise.

(in reply to shiftyw)

RE: Psychiatrist? What to expect? - 10/27/2014 2:58:46 PM

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Thanks. It means a lot.

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RE: Psychiatrist? What to expect? - 10/27/2014 3:03:26 PM

LittleGirlHeart

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I have, as far as i know only talked to therapists and supposedly they're different. But i suspect th ey will ask a lot of questions, there's likely a bunch of paperwork, a getting to knlw you period. Yada yada.

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For someone must stand up for what's right
'Cause where there's a man who has no voice
There ours shall go singing

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RE: Psychiatrist? What to expect? - 10/27/2014 3:05:02 PM

Gauge

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quote:

ORIGINAL: shiftyw

Thanks. It means a lot.

Anytime.

Feel free to write to me on the other side if you wish.

_____________________________

"For there is no folly of the beast of the earth which is not infinitely outdone by the madness of men." Herman Melville - Moby Dick

I'm wearing my chicken suit and humming La Marseillaise.

(in reply to shiftyw)

RE: Psychiatrist? What to expect? - 10/27/2014 3:24:22 PM

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So glad it went well!

You may encounter folks who suggest or even say that needing a psych drug is an admission of weakness. Smile politely and ignore them. (Actually, the smile is optional. The ignoring isn't.)

I take insulin because my blood chemistry requires it. And I take Wellbutrin because my brain chemistry requires it. Same thing imho.

_____________________________

No matter how cynical you become,
it's never enough to keep up.

JANE WAGNER, THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF
INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE

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RE: Psychiatrist? What to expect? - 10/28/2014 6:40:09 PM

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What dc said.

The only thing I would add, is that it can be very helpful to bring in a family history. I'm fourth generation mood disorder, my daughter's fifth. Being able to walk in and show them this is a genetic disorder means nobody wastes time looking for abuse when there wasn't any.

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RE: Psychiatrist? What to expect? - 10/28/2014 6:57:11 PM

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Oh. I have family history. I brought it in too. Its pretty well documented that women in my family suffer depression- although I actually think we all just have or had thyroid disorders.

But I also was sexually assaulted- which is what resulted in the PTSD- which I dealt with without medication- and just did talk therapy. But it got really bad again after a car accident two years ago- and it really hasn't been contained since then. I really didn't want to get to where I was before I sought any help, and my shrink and I agreed that I might benefit from a prescription right now.

Thanks everyone. I feel a lot better about the decision today.

(in reply to DesFIP)

RE: Psychiatrist? What to expect? - 10/29/2014 6:42:59 AM

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Wonderful.

This story might help. I recently went back to work after a long time of being at home. Previously I worked (10 yrs before) in a high stress position which was totally not right for me. Why did I stay? I made really good money, and I could go back to that if I wanted. I decided to go on a different career path. I still have a lot of responsibility but it fits me. I make less money but I am happy.
They screen the heck out of you, like most places do anymore. I was very upfront why I decided to change positions, because they asked. I was actually hired for the candor. Keep your chin up, because although at times it doesn't seem like it, there are really good people out there, who don't judge people because they are different. They will work with you.

Good luck on your journey.

(in reply to shiftyw)

RE: Psychiatrist? What to expect? - 10/30/2014 8:03:29 AM

HalifaxSubRuthD

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nothing like the movies....

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RE: Psychiatrist? What to expect? - 10/31/2014 5:01:15 PM

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Be glad she didn't prescribe Effexor. If you miss a dose of that, you can get immediate withdrawal.

Wellbutrin is kinder, gentler.

However, when it is time to go off it, probably around 18 months, you want to follow the tapering off process to the letter. No matter how appealing just stopping may be, don't do it.

My daughter's had two fabulous psychiatrists. The one she sees now is semi-retired. No new patients and she's only working half the week. We dread the process of finding a new one of this caliber.

_____________________________

Slave to laundry

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RE: Psychiatrist? What to expect? - 11/1/2014 3:46:52 PM

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Mine is apparently the best in the area.

I am having some side effects. Tummy trouble, having to remember to eat- which is whole new thing for me, and I'm unrelentingly horny.

I'm also very up kinda like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6rE0EakhG8

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RE: Psychiatrist? What to expect? - 11/3/2014 6:17:13 AM

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quote:

ORIGINAL: shiftyw

So...I went. I'm on Wellbutrin.
I have my first official diagnosis of PTSD. She was kinda like "But you've been seeing shrinks for 8 years, so you kinda knew that already right?" Which I did.

I feel a bit like...melancholy I guess about it. She thinks a low does of this would help motivate me and keep me a bit happier and less anxious. So I'm hoping it helps. Just kinda sad about it being "official".

ETA- I really liked the doctor. Like a lot. She kept it pretty light and didn't make me cry, which I thought she would.

She also explained that I might stop having orgasms if I were on Effexor (which she initially wanted to prescribe) and I said "I'd really prefer to continue to have orgasms..." to which she said "Wellbutrin it is then!"- so I really appreciated that.

I would be wary of effexor. My friend's wife killed herself while on it... and I understand there was a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer for that reason.

Psychotherapy, introspection, and facing your demons is a painful and grueling process if done effectively. If it is light and comfortable, you might well ask if it is achieving anything.

_____________________________

pronounced "VROOick"

(in reply to shiftyw)

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