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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on April 27, 2010, at 23:34:08
does anyone here have trouble convincing psychs of the severity of their case?
i find that i am way too shy and polite, which can be misleading.
i know it sounds like a stupid question, but does anyone have any advice to get around this? for example, last week, i just came out and told my new psychiatrist that i think i am having more difficulty than i project because i am well presented and amiable. but i guess it doesn't really scratch the surface of how my day-to-day functioning is affected. part of the problem is that i am not in a tonne of emotional pain, but rather just feel completely anhedonic and dead.
i don't know, would it be a good idea to like make a list of exactly how various areas of my life are affected?
Posted by Laney on April 27, 2010, at 23:46:26
In reply to how to not be so shy with psychiatrist?, posted by g_g_g_unit on April 27, 2010, at 23:34:08
I think you should try keeping a journal and writing down how you feel. When a certain thought or feeling of your anhedonia comes up, write it down and try to explain what it feels like. Pdocs should be vary aware and empathetic and if he/she isn't I would find a new one.
Laney
Posted by Phillipa on April 28, 2010, at 0:31:32
In reply to Re: how to not be so shy with psychiatrist?, posted by Laney on April 27, 2010, at 23:46:26
Laney I drive 6 hours both ways to see one the ones here horrible. Guy across street saw the one I tried when moved and can you believe he fell asleep on him? With me he wanted to give me 120mg of cymbalta. I got out of there quick. Tried a few more and went back to old one. I don't know why it's like that here. Love Phillipa
Posted by Roslynn on April 28, 2010, at 16:48:23
In reply to how to not be so shy with psychiatrist?, posted by g_g_g_unit on April 27, 2010, at 23:34:08
Hi, can you write down exactly how you are affected (as you suggested)? For example, if you are unable to finish a project, or unable to meet friends, if you cried for 2 hours, if you slept all day, etc. Maybe some concrete descriptions would help.
Just a thought.
Posted by floatingbridge on April 29, 2010, at 18:44:41
In reply to Re: how to not be so shy with psychiatrist?, posted by Roslynn on April 28, 2010, at 16:48:23
A list or journal sounds like a good idea. I have found it helpful. I 'present' better than I am.
Would you list thoughts, too?
fb
Posted by Techno'n'PillBottles on May 1, 2010, at 6:10:42
In reply to Re: how to not be so shy with psychiatrist?, posted by floatingbridge on April 29, 2010, at 18:44:41
I have had alot of trouble with that myself. for me a big part of the reason was trust. I have had bad experiences with docs when I was quite young and it stuck with me. Also, I got used to trying to hide my crazed/depressed state from everyone around me that it carried over into my sessions. I managed to get a little better at it by preparing myself mentally before each session. I would show up early so I had time to sit outside the office and really plan out what I needed to discuss. being there sort of put me in therapy mode and allowed me to get over the fear and say what I had to say. Try to figure out why you feel the need to play nice so you can confront it. writing things down is a great idea, so is shopping around for the right doc. and remember that they are there to help, not to judge you or anything like that. if your doc makes you feel bad at all they're not right for you.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on May 2, 2010, at 7:59:47
In reply to Re: how to not be so shy with psychiatrist?, posted by Techno'n'PillBottles on May 1, 2010, at 6:10:42
> Try to figure out why you feel the need to play nice so you can confront it.
you are right. i think part of the reason i feel i need to hide my symptoms is because im scared they might resort to drastic treatment strategies, which id rather avoid
Posted by floatingbridge on May 2, 2010, at 10:03:07
In reply to Re: how to not be so shy with psychiatrist?, posted by Techno'n'PillBottles on May 1, 2010, at 6:10:42
>Try to figure out why you feel the need to play nice so you can confront it. writing things down is a great idea, so is shopping around for the right doc. and remember that they are there to help, not to judge you or anything like that. if your doc makes you feel bad at all they're not right for you.
TnPB,
Wow. Your post was a complete yes for me. It took trust building on my part to really confide. I would emphasis the feel part--anything about a doc that feels negative must be carefully considered.
In my case, empowerment (that a doc is there to help) was initially difficult. I also confided in docs who did not possess insight into my illness, others who would cookbook it.
Disclosure happened over time with my present pdoc--.
Good luck, ggg.
Posted by chujoe on May 3, 2010, at 6:30:43
In reply to Re: how to not be so shy with psychiatrist?, posted by floatingbridge on May 2, 2010, at 10:03:07
This is me, too. I present as pretty together when in fact I'm coming apart. Getting across the intensity of one's symptoms is difficult. I write things down and bring in my notebook, in which I also make a list of things to discuss. I've been a "good presenter" since I was six years old -- I'm 59 now -- because that was the best way to survive in my family. I suspect I laid down a lot of behavioral patterns at an early age that have affected the way I deal with others, including pdocs.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on May 4, 2010, at 19:48:31
In reply to Re: how to not be so shy with psychiatrist?, posted by chujoe on May 3, 2010, at 6:30:43
well, i got all inspired after reading your suggestions, and wrote out a highly detailed set of symptoms with accompanying examples, but looking over it now .. i donno, it just seems completely exaggerated (even though i know it's not) ...
would anyone be willing to possibly read over it and give me their general impression, in addition to whether any areas need clarifying etc?
Posted by chujoe on May 5, 2010, at 5:28:52
In reply to Re: how to not be so shy with psychiatrist?, posted by g_g_g_unit on May 4, 2010, at 19:48:31
g_g_g: I'd be happy to read it, but I'm new here and don't know how the back-channel thingy works. I'll look around later today & see if I can figure it out.
As for the exaggeration, I know exactly what you mean -- I hear myself talking to the pdoc & think to myself, "Jeeze I must sound really crazy," then I make a joke or dial it back so I sound more normal. As I said before, being "normal" was the way to get by in my family, so I worked hard to create a "normal" version of myself to use as a kind of puppet that I could hide behind.
Posted by Techno'n'PillBottles on May 6, 2010, at 5:33:33
In reply to Re: how to not be so shy with psychiatrist?, posted by chujoe on May 5, 2010, at 5:28:52
Hey GGG. I would also be happy to help however I can. My email is: algaethescum@gmail.com (weird email i know.) I don't mind having a little less anonymity. email me anytime :)
Posted by g_g_g_unit on May 11, 2010, at 21:59:08
In reply to Re: how to not be so shy with psychiatrist?, posted by Techno'n'PillBottles on May 6, 2010, at 5:33:33
> Hey GGG. I would also be happy to help however I can. My email is: algaethescum@gmail.com (weird email i know.) I don't mind having a little less anonymity. email me anytime :)
>
>hey, please excuse my tardiness - i'm trying not to check the board as often these days. i really appreciate the offer to look over my symptom list. however, i sent a copy to chujoe, in addition to my therapist, and handed it over to my psychiatrist yesterday. if i need any advice in the future, i'll keep you in mind :)
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