Been referred to a psych, what should I expect?

[superchick22684]

I've been seeing my primary care physician since last fall for my anxiety and depression. This past week he decided to refer me to a psych because after trying several meds over the last 7.5 months I'm still cycling back and forth between depression and anxiety. I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on what to expect during that first appointment? I've been to see a psych before but that was almost ten years ago and at that time it was through a campus counseling center.

I'm really nervous/scared about the appointment which is later this week. Does anyone have any advice as to what I should expect?

[gypsylee]

I've been seeing my primary care physician since last fall for my anxiety and depression. This past week he decided to refer me to a psych because after trying several meds over the last 7.5 months I'm still cycling back and forth between depression and anxiety. I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on what to expect during that first appointment? I've been to see a psych before but that was almost ten years ago and at that time it was through a campus counseling center.

I'm really nervous/scared about the appointment which is later this week. Does anyone have any advice as to what I should expect?

It really depends on the psych. Generally at a first appointment they get you to do most of the talking. A good way to know if they're any good is how much eye contact they make with you - good psychologists/psychiatrists don't sit there typing on their computer or writing notes the whole time without looking at you. If you feel nervous about it try and remember you are the "boss" not them. You're the client and their job is to help you.

:)

[jessed03]

Some psych's are crazier than their patients. Some are very creative. It all depends which one you get. My psych was a game changer for me. She put me on a meds combo that slowed down my thinking and allowed me to make some profound breakthroughs.

[superchick22684]

Gypsylee-You make a good point on the eye contact thing. The last time I saw a psych he made excellent eye contact but I had to nicely tell him to take it down a notch because it started to make me uncomfortable. I also have what I suppose you could call white coat syndrome, doctors just make me incredibly nervous/anxious.

Jessed03- Not knowing what kind of psych I'll get doesn't bug me that much, I just hope that I get a good one. My primary care physician pretty much stated last week that there was nothing else he could offer me in terms of meds. What I'm on now is helping but not much.

[gypsylee]

Gypsylee-You make a good point on the eye contact thing. The last time I saw a psych he made excellent eye contact but I had to nicely tell him to take it down a notch because it started to make me uncomfortable. I also have what I suppose you could call white coat syndrome, doctors just make me incredibly nervous/anxious.

Jessed03- Not knowing what kind of psych I'll get doesn't bug me that much, I just hope that I get a good one. My primary care physician pretty much stated last week that there was nothing else he could offer me in terms of meds. What I'm on now is helping but not much.

Oh yeah you don't want one that just stares at you the whole time either lol. Doctors make me nervous too so I'm really happy whenever I find one who I have a rapport with (my current GP is like that). Just try not to be intimidated by them - just because they have a medical degree and whatever doesn't make them super human :)

[Dahila]

It depens who you get. I had a few of them and the craziest was the smartest. I really loved his humor and intelligence. It was a shitty time in my life and he helped me, even I had a strong suspension that he takes drugs;)
Years without psydoc, and here two or three years ago I got fantastic psychdoc. She is the same nationality as I am, and she is really helping, smart, compassionate,and thinking for the best option for me. One hour whenever I want and it is therapy. She actually is the first to open me a bit:))

OP hopefully your will like yours, and it will be an awesome doc.

When I am scared of someone, please I am not kidding. I imagine the person on the toilet bowl. The fear is gone,and I start to relax. How can you be scared in this situation,

[jessed03]

It depens who you get. I had a few of them and the craziest was the smartest. I really loved his humor and intelligence. It was a shitty time in my life and he helped me, even I had a strong suspension that he takes drugs;)

I think lots of doctors and psychs take drugs. At least here in London anyway. Cocaine seems to help them.

[Im-Suffering]

Been referred to a psych, what should I expect?

The best.

Which should be the first line of therapy, to examine your expectations. Because the epiphany will come in discovering you have always been getting what you expect. Including any emotional illness.

[Nec]

My psychiatrist once told me that he also takes the drugs he refers to patients, saying that they make him feel better. Maybe he was just joking and said that in order to make me not worry much about them since it was the first time I was about to take them regularly myself. Not sure :p

[Dahila]

Jessed I would think psydoc gets some pretty difficult situation impossible usually impossible to fix. They are people........ I am not surprise when the doc is shooting morphine, not surprised at all