Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
A little over a month ago I was in a really rough spot dealing with my anxiety. I was at a point that I was considering the option of medication. My situation has since improved a lot as I have been learning to accept the anxiety, really understand it, and work on positive thoughts. I'm definitely still in the learning process and haven't completely figure it out, but it has been working pretty well.
I work with a counselor in my school's health center and when I was at my low point she had me set up an appointment with the psychiatrist. We have discussed it a couple of times since then and she has asked me if I still want to see him. At my last appointment with her I asked for her suggestion about it, and she recommended that I still go to the appointment. She told me that it may be beneficial to hear another person's thoughts and suggestions and that it may just help me to further understand myself. She also explained that in the future I may change my mind and it would be beneficial to have gone through the assessment process and have the report. I agreed to keep the appointment which is on this Wednesday, even though I am really not considering medication anymore because I have been learning so many alternative techniques to manage anxiety. I'm not really sure why, but I'm nervous about the appointment and thinking about it is causing some of those physical feelings of anxiety to come up. I'm thinking that I'm nervous like this partially because I don't know this doctor and its hard for me to just open up to anyone and because I don't really know what to expect from this type of appointment.
Can anyone tell me generally what to expect from meeting with a psychiatrist, will it be similar to just talking with a counselor? And maybe some words of advice on how to be more relaxed about this situation. Thanks so much!
I work with a counselor in my school's health center and when I was at my low point she had me set up an appointment with the psychiatrist. We have discussed it a couple of times since then and she has asked me if I still want to see him. At my last appointment with her I asked for her suggestion about it, and she recommended that I still go to the appointment. She told me that it may be beneficial to hear another person's thoughts and suggestions and that it may just help me to further understand myself. She also explained that in the future I may change my mind and it would be beneficial to have gone through the assessment process and have the report. I agreed to keep the appointment which is on this Wednesday, even though I am really not considering medication anymore because I have been learning so many alternative techniques to manage anxiety. I'm not really sure why, but I'm nervous about the appointment and thinking about it is causing some of those physical feelings of anxiety to come up. I'm thinking that I'm nervous like this partially because I don't know this doctor and its hard for me to just open up to anyone and because I don't really know what to expect from this type of appointment.
Can anyone tell me generally what to expect from meeting with a psychiatrist, will it be similar to just talking with a counselor? And maybe some words of advice on how to be more relaxed about this situation. Thanks so much!
Keep in mind that YOU are in control of the meeting. This Dr. can not force you to take meds or force you to do anything you do not want to do. He can make a suggestion and even write a prescription but you don't have to have it filled or take them. You also have the right to stand up and walk out if it becomes uncomfortable for you. Remember to do your deep breathing and keep reminding yourself that you are safe and YOU are in control. You can also cancel the appointment. You have many choices of how to handle the situation. Trust your gut feeling and honor it by doing what feels right for you.
Take care
That is just what a regular physician does too.
Then you tell them your problems and try to devise ways to help you.
They might suggest more therapy and/or medications.
Really not much different from a regular doctor's visit.
I think the fear that most people have when visiting a psychiatrist is the fact that then they will be considered to be a "mentally disturbed person".
I have been to a psychiatrist, and since then I have learned that the people around me all have mental issues, because I KNOW the so called regular people that I have to deal with are all blessed with severe mental deficiencies.