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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by NikkiT on April 10, 2000, at 13:31:30
I have my first appointment with a Psychaistrist on Thursday, after *finally* managing to get a referal (you have to be referred to see any specialist doc in UK).
Thing is, I have no idea what to expect. I'm terrified that I'll be having an "ok day", and he'll think I'm making it all up, and just tell me to pull myself together. It's all so hard to explain to people how I feel, and how bad the bad times feel.
How should I try to explain??
Any advice would be hugely welcomed.
Thanks
Nikki xx
Posted by Greg on April 10, 2000, at 14:38:36
In reply to What should I expect from Psychiatrist, posted by NikkiT on April 10, 2000, at 13:31:30
Nikki,
Just speak from the heart, tell him/her how you really feel, not just on Thursday but all the time. A good Psychiatrist will hear what you're trying to say. It sounds like its really difficult to get medical care in the UK? I've read about you having troubles before (I think.....therefore I am?). Good luck, I hope everything goes well.Peace,
Greg> I have my first appointment with a Psychaistrist on Thursday, after *finally* managing to get a referal (you have to be referred to see any specialist doc in UK).
>
> Thing is, I have no idea what to expect. I'm terrified that I'll be having an "ok day", and he'll think I'm making it all up, and just tell me to pull myself together. It's all so hard to explain to people how I feel, and how bad the bad times feel.
>
> How should I try to explain??
>
> Any advice would be hugely welcomed.
>
> Thanks
>
> Nikki xx
Posted by liz on April 10, 2000, at 14:42:38
In reply to What should I expect from Psychiatrist, posted by NikkiT on April 10, 2000, at 13:31:30
Nikki, I had my first visit with a psychiatrist in February of this year after going through good days and bad days. I finally realized that the bad days were gaining on me and I didn't see any way to "pull myself up by my bootstraps" and "snap out of it", although I tried that thinking for as long as I could. I was nervous too, but was lucky enough to find a great doctor, referred to me by a friend. I think you should be reassured that it is highly unlikely that you will be told to "pull yourself together." I suppose there is that chance that you might get hooked up with a jerk, but hopefully, if that happens, you will not have to stick with that person! Anyway, I had a 3 hour visit the first time. My doctor was a good listener and more importantly, he asked good questions. He had me fill out some forms/surveys, some of which I completed while there, others I took home with me and mailed back. He also sent a form along, an observational thing, for my husband to complete. Primarily, he asked for some specific examples of how my concerns were manifested, ie. how limiting did I find my depression, etc. From all this, he determined that what I thought was just some sort of chronic depression was actually more than that, that I had symptoms of obsessive/compulsive disorder with a resulting depression and he also later determined that I have ADD.
Now, this was certainly more than I bargained for, but on the other hand, it made sense to me. I was having a good day; it didn't matter. It was what compelled me to go see him and seek help that mattered, not where I was at that particular day. In fact, I work very hard at putting on my happy face for nearly everyone, but when I described not just my feelings, but how I was coping, how my actual behavior was changing, it was evident that my happy face was just an habitual response. Anyway, I'm sure once you're face to face with your doctor, it will not be as scary as you might be anticipating. You don't have to pour everything out at once; your doctor will guide you. Let him/her hear what you have to say and have a chance to respond and question you. It'll be OK! It might take awhile for you to feel really comfortable and it might take awhile to work out any therapies, but you are taking an important first step. My only suggestions would be a) don't be too passive or reticent and b) if something about the session doesn't "feel right" either give it a little more time or try to see someone else. Also, take an active roll in your own wellbeing, do some reading, check information about any prescriptions, etc. You'll be better able to tell your doctor how things are going, how you're responding to any medications and so on if you take this active route, at least in my opinion. Hope this helps some. Let us know how things go; I'll be interested to hear! Take care, LizI have my first appointment with a Psychaistrist on Thursday, after *finally* managing to get a referal (you have to be referred to see any specialist doc in UK).
>
> Thing is, I have no idea what to expect. I'm terrified that I'll be having an "ok day", and he'll think I'm making it all up, and just tell me to pull myself together. It's all so hard to explain to people how I feel, and how bad the bad times feel.
>
> How should I try to explain??
>
> Any advice would be hugely welcomed.
>
> Thanks
>
> Nikki xx
Posted by caroline on April 10, 2000, at 15:58:05
In reply to What should I expect from Psychiatrist, posted by NikkiT on April 10, 2000, at 13:31:30
Nikki,
I'm also in the UK. Well done for finally getting a referal!!! I had anxieties very similar to those you have shared when I got my first referal. I thought 'What if I have a good day?' 'What if he/she talks me into thinking I'm exaggerating it all' etc. Take it from me, the fact you actually got a referal in the UK means they will assume you have a very real and serious problem before they even meet you - regardless of whether your appointment is on a 'good day'. Go in there prepared to tell him/her exactly how you feel on the worst days, the pretty bad days, the can-just-about-cope days and the good days. Make sure they have a full picture, not just of how you are suffering but also of how this suffering is affecting your ability to live your every-day life effectively.
The Dr should listen and ask questions of you. They may suggest a diagnosis or two. They should then move on to discussing the various treatment options with you - drugs (if so, which?), counselling, psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy. British Psychiatrists, in my experience, play quite a different role to US Psychiatrists. In the UK, don't expect any kind of talking therapy from your Psychiatrist - they should refer you to a psychologist or therapist if this is a treatment option you are keen to try.
I hope it all goes well. Do let us know how you get on.
Take Care
Caroline
Posted by JanetR on April 10, 2000, at 16:32:41
In reply to What should I expect from Psychiatrist, posted by NikkiT on April 10, 2000, at 13:31:30
> I have my first appointment with a Psychaistrist on Thursday, after *finally* managing to get a referal (you have to be referred to see any specialist doc in UK).
>
> Thing is, I have no idea what to expect. I'm terrified that I'll be having an "ok day", and he'll think I'm making it all up, and just tell me to pull myself together. It's all so hard to explain to people how I feel, and how bad the bad times feel.
>
> How should I try to explain??
>
> Any advice would be hugely welcomed.
>
> Thanks
>
> Nikki xxDear Nikki, although I am from the UK, I haven't lived there for 17 years. Here, I've been through 4 pdocs in 18 mos. My advice is to write down beforehand any deviation in your behaviour from the norm.no matter how insignificant. In my own case, I hadn't realised that scatterbrainedness, looking at the end of a book before you start reading it, a total inability to balance my bank account etc.were symptons of anything. I only told the doc. about my tiredness, insommia and -ve outlook and I was , very reasonably I might add, diagnosed as dysthymic. After 18 mos. of ineffective and expensive treatment, I discovered, through this board, that what I have is Hypo-ADD, and now, finally, I seem to be getting the right treatment. This board is a life-saver in more ways than one. From my own experience of U.K. docs. they always appear to be doing you a favour by actually seeing you. I don't know if this attitude still prevails but don't be intimidated. You are paying their salaries even if it is indirectly through taxes . The best thing is to inform yourself as much as possible, through this wonderful board and reading books. Good Luck Jan
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