experience with psychiatrist

I've been on meds for my agoraphobia for two years now and have been doing pretty good on them but for the past year I've  had a lot of stress and so experienced two set backs. My GP whom I don't think understands agoraphobia at all, decided that I should not have set backs on meds so I needed to see a psychiatrist. OK then. I don't mind talking about the stresses and how to deal with them. ahhh but this is not what happened. The shrink is one of those who has read up on agoraphobia and therefore knows more about it than I do. She has pre-determined that I am one or all of these: depressed, an alcoholic or a drug addict, because when you have agoraphobia you ARE one if not all of the above.  Interesting. Even after we argued (yes argued) about the fact that I am NOT depressed, NOT an alcoholic and NOT a drug addict, she still refused to believe me. She's the expert, I am not.  I've only lived with this condition for 20+ years and have only gone on meds for the past two and have done the cognitive therapy for all of the years I've been agoraphobic.   I decided not to go back to this shrink, I mean life is too short and I do value mine deeply. However, I'm hoping to educate my GP just enough so that he can understand I am not looking to become a robot. If part of my life is to have panic attacks , I can deal with them. What the meds do for me is that they are no longer stopping me dead in my tracks, they are more of a checker that I am taking care of myself and my needs (not too hungry, tired, etc etc). I feel therefore I am!  If I was drugged enough to take away the odd panic attack then I am also drugged enough not to feel the good stuff anymore either. Been there, don't wanna go there anymore.  

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I\'ve been battling agoraphobia for 30 years. Recently, I had a setback and am taking xanax for only the 3rd time in 20 years. It really works and takes away the fear within 20 minutes.

Many years ago they (shrinks) tried anti-depressants which made it worse.

Does your GP give you benzos or anti-depressants?

I did always wonder if alcoholics had either depression and/or panic and that they were self-medicating. I just find it weird that the shrink cared why you had it instead of helping you.

Find someone you trust and click with. I just found a great counselor and will have my third meeting with her tomorrow.

At my age I am following everything she says and only what she says to see if CBT really works. I see progress. Last week started journaling worries and successes. That was very telling and helpful. This past week I had to be in the NOW. Wow, that is hard since all I ever do is think of regrets and relive old tales and think up catastrophies for the future.

Maybe it will work :D