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Positive experiences with psychiatrists?

Unknown userMember27 Mar 2017, 4:37 pm AEDT

Positive experiences with psychiatrists?

Hi all. (sorry if this is in the wrong place - no idea where to put it)

I have an appointment coming up soon where I am thinking I will be receiving a referral to a psychiatrist. It's taken years for me to even consider this as an option, because of really hard past experience. I have no luck with medication and feel like it often makes things worse for me (right now I am suffering the effects of a rapid increase and then equally rapid decrease in meds - I know this is a bad idea which is why I made the appointment). Right now things are not getting better and are getting worse quickly so I feel I am left with little other choice than to do it. I am in a relatively new area where I know no-one I can ask for recommendations from and the appointment to get the referral is with a new GP too. I am taking a leap/s of faith which feels really scary. The whole thing is doing my head in, but my head is done in enough now and it's time.

I am hoping to hear that there are people with positive experiences with psychiatrists out there and was wondering if anyone might be able to share what made it ok for you. I know @Mazarita, you said you have had good experiences so if you have a moment at some stage I would love to hear about it please. No rush/pressure - the last thing I feel like doing right now, aside from going to a psychiatrist, is being even more of a strain on anyone.

Thanks

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In response to: Positive experiences with psychiatrists?

MazaritaSenior Contributor27 Mar 2017, 9:27 pm AEDT

Re: Positive experiences with psychiatrists?

Yes, it does sound like you could be in a bit of a brain chemical pickle at the moment, @Former-Member. That's not a good place to be, doesn't matter how you got there. But nobody really wants to take medications and it's quite common that we do experiment with things ourselves sometimes to see if we can do without. This has never worked out well for me.

When is your appointment with the GP? From what you've said, it sounds like it would be better if it was sooner rather than later. Sometimes it can take a little while to get to see a psychiatrist but at least there will be the medical advice of a GP in place and hopefully some initial good advice on what to do with the meds in the interim.

The 'human-to-human' thing will depend on the individual you are seeing, your feelings about them and attitude toward them. I feel blessed to have had two psychiatrists in particular who I consider to be wise and perceptive people, as well as medical specialists.

In response to: Positive experiences with psychiatrists?

Unknown userMember27 Mar 2017, 9:44 pm AEDT

Re: Positive experiences with psychiatrists?

Thank you @Queenie for sharing as well. I too worry about having my freedom being taken from me. I find it really scary to feel scared by and out of control of my own brain, but more scary to think that I will share that and have no control left at all. It's hard to know what/how much I should say when I am feeling like this. Good luck finding a new doctor when the time comes.

In response to: Re: Positive experiences with psychiatrists?

Unknown userMember27 Mar 2017, 9:56 pm AEDT

Re: Positive experiences with psychiatrists?

Thanks @utopia. Being able to work as a team is really important I think too. It's nice to know that it might be possible to find someone who will be willing to do that. I smiled when I read that he chose you - that has to be a good start.

@Mazarita - thank you for reassuring me that I am not the only one who has played around with my meds a bit. My appointment is tomorrow morning. I was very sick this afternoon and found it really really hard going. Having littles here, and no-one close by to help has been scary and hard tonight physically and then with the emotional reminder that I am actually totally on my own now. I am still feeling sick and counting down the hours until I can see someone, even if it's' just to help this physical stuff for the short term so I can feel less pickle-ish

In response to: Re: Positive experiences with psychiatrists?

MazaritaSenior Contributor27 Mar 2017, 10:07 pm AEDT

Re: Positive experiences with psychiatrists?

Oh yes, @Former-Member, I have 'experimented' with my meds off the bat on a number of occasions. I don't do it now, except occasionally in small dosage adjustments my psychiatrist has pre-approved.

So glad your GP appointment is tomorrow. Take it slow and easy over the rest of the night.

In response to: Positive experiences with psychiatrists?

Unknown userMember27 Mar 2017, 10:12 pm AEDT

Re: Positive experiences with psychiatrists?

I'm going to try to thanks @Mazarita. If it gets worse I will call a home visit GP and see if there's anything they might have on hand to help tonight. Wish my family were closer 😞

Cheers again forum people

In response to: Positive experiences with psychiatrists?

AyeshaSenior Contributor28 Mar 2017, 6:23 am AEDT

Re: Positive experiences with psychiatrists?

I adore my psychiatrist I really do...I call him my voice of reason 😊

(There's a little possibility I may have some attachment issues going on there)

But seriously he has literally saved my life on a few occasions, he doesn't beat around the bush.,,, he's kind and considerate and there is absolutely no judgement on his behalf no matter what I say etc

I've been seeing him for 13 years now......

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