Depression Support Group

Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.

24,601 Members

160,807 Posts

2 Online

Moondreamer1988 11/19/2016

So, I finally did it. I went to my first psychiatrist appointment. I waited patiently for my turn, watching everyone spend less than 25 minutes with her. Then it was my turn, but she wasn't calling me. I started to smell food, and I realized that she was most likely eating lunch. It kind of annoyed me because my anxiety was super high. Finally, she called me in. She was really nice and everything, and realized I was anxious. She reassured me that I shouldn't be anxious or nervous. Then she asked me a bunch of questions about my moods, family life, etc. It was nerve wracking because the questions were quick and I didn't feel like I had time to really explain myself. Then she told me that based on what I told her, she thinks that I have bipolar depression. She explained to me that there are different types of bipolar, and mine is not anything connected to mania or highly elevated moods. She told me that she wanted me to google the different types of bipolar to see what they said. (Strange?) Then she started talking about medications, and said that she was going to give me a two week sample of Latuda that she thinks will help me. She said it might help me sleep as well. Then she sent me on my way..

I found the entire experience strange.. I thought that we would spend more time talking more in depth about my issues. It was only the first visit, and I just didn't think that she would give me medication right away. It's a low dose, 20 MGs, but still. Should I be concerned about this? Has anyone experienced any bad side effects with Latuda?? I have four weeks left of school, and I am actually kind of terrified that taking this will affect my school work. I am just really nervous about taking it. Being able to sleep is a great thought, I am just afraid of the possible negative side of it. I am hoping that someone on here can shed some light on this medication.

I'm going to take it tonight and see what happens. She told me to make sure I eat a meal that is at least 350 calories before I take the pill. I've heard that people have actually had issues keeping it down if eating under that amount of calories.

Wish me luck.. My chest feels like it is going to EXPLODE from the amount of nerves I have right now.. =(

Justlenmom4 11/19/2016

It is common for psychiatrists to prescribe medication fairly quickly and easily, without going into a lot of depth about your problems. I would be a little nervous about trying a new medication while in school. Can you possible wait 4 weeks to start it?

hopefulmama 11/19/2016

A psychiatrist visit is usually a quick in and out.I have been to many with my daughter.They seem to be very get down to business.

beatingtheblues2 11/19/2016

I agree with the previous comments. If you want to really talk about your issues in depth, you should see a psychologist, social worker, or therapist. If you are able to do this (naturally, finances may prevent it), and you found one you trusted, he or she would be able to walk you through ins and outs of any medications you are prescribed. The main function of most psychiatrists appears to be to prescribe medication, period.

ThePepperMan 11/20/2016

I had a similar experience; 15 minutes of question and answer (he did not seem to be a very active participant in the process) he handed me a sample of meds and a prescription.

It took me the better part of a few hours to totally reject him. Nobody can make an assessment of depression that quick. I strongly suspected that he was on the payroll of a drug company and pushed as many prescriptions as he could.

And from all that I hear bipolar is even harder to PROPERLY diagnose!

That entire process had me seeing one huge red flag.

TooMuch 11/20/2016

:( does not sound very satisfying at all. I would seek out a therapist and I would not take a single pill until I had spoken with one.

hopefulmama 11/20/2016

You should always pair a psychiatrist with a therapist

Heidiclark 11/20/2016

My assessment visit with my psychiatrist took about an hour. My regular visits are about 20 minutes.

johnnyboy1960 11/20/2016

I have been seeing psychiatrists for years and have switched several times during that time frame mostly do to insurance changes and two that were clearly not compatible with me. From all my past experience. They do and initial intake which lasts about an hour and ask alot about your past history, hospitalizations and so forth. And they bill your insurance company according. They do often but not alwaysprescribe medication during the first visit. Usually low does which they increase over time. After that your follow up visits only last about 15 to 20 min. Psychiatrists main jobs are to offer a diagnosis and to monitor medication. You usually see them once a month if they feel you are improving they Will often extend your visits to two or three months apart. The reasons they start you off on a low dose is to give your body time to adjust to the medication and reduce side effects. Now I don't want to discourage you but since you are just starting out you need to know that psych meds are tricky stuff and what works for one person may not work for the next. So if you stay with the program once you are stepped up to the recommended dose and your depression has still not lifted and you do not feel better your psychiatrist may add on other meds into the mix or may change your meds altogether. Also as she gets to know you better she may change your diagnosis as well. Now she should have spent more time with you during your first vist I have seen my insurance statements and I know they bill differently for initial intake then follow up visits for medication monitoring. However you mentioned she is nice this is an important quality not all of them are nice I know from past experience. And like everyone else said if you feel you need to talk about your issues more that's where a psychologist or a therapist or counselor comes into play that's their job to handle those asspects of mental health. I hope this was helpful and that you soon feel better johnnyboy

Moondreamer1988 11/20/2016

Thank you to everyone who responded. That was the one thing that truly surprised me about the visit was that she diagnosed me so quickly with bipolar. Depression I can understand, but bipolar? She told me to google the different types, and I really don't feel that I fit into any of them. I am not manic whatsoever. My issue is that I occasionally have these low periods where it is sometimes hard to function. I push through most of them. Only sometimes does it affect my schoolwork and personal life because I give it to it. Most of the time I push myself to get things done. I guess I just don't know how she could put me into that diagnosis. When I get depressed, eventually I snap out of it and I feel great again, but not abnormally great. So I do not have hypomania, and I am definitely not manic. It's just really strange to me..

The entire experience was strange to me. I decided to take the pill because I will never know if it will change things if I don't. My next appointment is in two weeks, and I will address everything that I feel then. I am going to write comments about my feelings and reactions within the next two weeks although I was told that I might not feel the effects of the medication for at least a week to two weeks. I only have three days of school this week due to the holidays so that makes me feel a little better about taking it. I figured that I don't HAVE to take this medication. If I feel that this is not right for me then I simply will not go down this path. I do, however, believe therapy or counseling is the best for me. I have had these feelings of depression for so long, and have been a hair puller for so long that it is almost normal to me. I wonder if that is why I feel I don't need medication, but should I not feel that my moods and behavior is normal? I am going to take it one step at a time and hope for the best moving forward.

Thank you again for all the responses. It feels better hearing everyone else's experiences.

-C

Join the Conversation