Thinking about seeing a therapist--what is it like?

[ana0pera]

i've decided that i need to stop putting it off/thinking that i am "strong" enough to get over this depression by myself and make an appointment to see a therapist. saying that i am scared sh*tless is an understatement. It has always been really hard for me to talk about my feeling with anyone, it seems like verbalizing the issues makes the problems take on a life that they didn't have before. But I want to grow and develop so I need to do this. My university offers free counseling evaluations and short sessions, but long-term i'd have to pay. I have insurance so that shouldn't be too much of an issue.

 

But what I want to know is what to expect? what is it like to see a psychiatrist? I don't know many people who've had to see one and it is sort of taboo to talk about it--shouldn't be, but it is.

 

For added perspective, the problems I am having, in no particular order are:

1. I hate my doctoral degree program and don't feel like I am making progress as I should. (I did open up to my advisor about this and she gave me a good pep talk and is trying to be more supportive, which is good).

 

2. I have major trust issues when it comes to men. This is wreaking havoc on my current relationship, which is on-again off-again mostly because I am indecisive, it's long distance, and I am probably rushing things.

 

3. I don't know what I want to do with my life anymore, career-wise. See (1).

 

4. I feel lonely, unattractive, unwanted, etc. Like I am settling in my interpersonal relationships for people who don't really care about me. That I don't have anyone I can truly confide in or offer support. I am incredibly shy and introverted so it's hard meeting new people, like it's traumatizing for me to put myself in situations where I know no one.

[SpiralOut]

I haven't been to a psychiatrist (yet) but I've been to a psychologist and to several counsellors. It's hard to say what to expect since it depends on the clinic and on the individual therapist. I find that in all cases, they want to know right away what you are hoping to get from your sessions, so they know how to help you. They like to have a general idea of your problems, but nobody ever expected me to get into the dark and deep details of things right away. The first session is more of a getting-to-know-you thing. It takes time to develop trust and comfort level with them and any good therapist knows that.

 

And it's okay to switch to a different person if something doesn't feel right. Sometimes it takes a few tries to find a good match.

[FitChick]

Psychiatrists do surgery and prescribe drugs. If you want talk thereapy there are all different kinds out there. Start with the cheapest since there are no guarantees it will work.

 

You are better off taking a "gap year" and traveling. A change of scenery will clear your head and get you out of yourself. You might have a serendipitous meeting with someone who could totally change your life.

[D-Lish]

Therapy can be soothing to the soul if you find someone you are compatible with. A good Therapist won't tell you what to do, they'll guide you to unlock your own answers.

[KathyM]

Generally, you start out by giving a lot of background information about yourself. Then you establish goals with your therapist on what you want to accomplish in therapy. Then the remainder of the time will depend on what form of therapy the therapist practices. Many of them specialize in one particular form of therapy. If the therapist practices Cognitive Therapy, for example, your therapist will probably ask you to describe situations or events that cause you problems, she'll ask you to list your negative thoughts associated with those events, and then she'll conduct some techniques that will help you think differently if your negative thoughts are distorted. There are many different forms of therapy, each with its own process, but basically, the therapist provides insight into your thoughts and feelings, and helps you to see things differently, and in a way that is healthier. Sometimes they provide psychoeducation and teach you things where there are deficits that need to be worked on. For example, if one of your issues was that your social skills were lacking, she would work with you to teach you better social skills through psychoeducation, role playing, and homework assignments that might include putting yourself into more social situations. If you were suffering from depression, she would probably work on your negative thoughts and introduce things that would add to your life to bring you greater happiness. What happens in therapy really depends on what your issues are, what your goals are, and what form of therapy the therapist practices. 80% to 95% of people who seek therapy generally find they are better off after receiving treatment.

[ana0pera]

Thanks everyone. So in order to get situated in therapy, my uni. has a phone "interview" where they ask us about ours goals, problems, etc. I am doing it tonight. I have no idea what I am going to say, it is always hard talking about these things. I will keep it general though and focus on the big picture.

 

 

I wish I could take a gap year, but I don't have the finances to pull it off. Things are getting better in terms of my program, but I have decided that I am going to take a vacation this year by myself--no family, friends, etc. Don't know where to yet, when, or for how long, but it needs to happen. I think that will help

[todreaminblue]

i've decided that i need to stop putting it off/thinking that i am "strong" enough to get over this depression by myself and make an appointment to see a therapist. saying that i am scared sh*tless is an understatement. It has always been really hard for me to talk about my feeling with anyone, it seems like verbalizing the issues makes the problems take on a life that they didn't have before. But I want to grow and develop so I need to do this. My university offers free counseling evaluations and short sessions, but long-term i'd have to pay. I have insurance so that shouldn't be too much of an issue.

 

But what I want to know is what to expect? what is it like to see a psychiatrist? I don't know many people who've had to see one and it is sort of taboo to talk about it--shouldn't be, but it is.

 

For added perspective, the problems I am having, in no particular order are:

1. I hate my doctoral degree program and don't feel like I am making progress as I should. (I did open up to my advisor about this and she gave me a good pep talk and is trying to be more supportive, which is good).

 

2. I have major trust issues when it comes to men. This is wreaking havoc on my current relationship, which is on-again off-again mostly because I am indecisive, it's long distance, and I am probably rushing things.

 

3. I don't know what I want to do with my life anymore, career-wise. See (1).

 

4. I feel lonely, unattractive, unwanted, etc. Like I am settling in my interpersonal relationships for people who don't really care about me. That I don't have anyone I can truly confide in or offer support. I am incredibly shy and introverted so it's hard meeting new people, like it's traumatizing for me to put myself in situations where I know no one.

 

 

I have had masses fo therapy adn it helps, who is to say whether it has helped em fro sure, i know i can pick when i am in the wrong frame of mind so it has given me self awareness...i had sessions of electric shock therapy dont think that helped me maybe it did, i have had too much therapy in conjunction with medication of varying strengths and types in my opinion, i have had an acute care team of shrinks to deal with, i dont know if i have a mental illness or if i am retarded with a high iq.........i can be so dumb....so naive yet i hav eprogressive thought and a photographic memory.

 

 

I think it gets to a point in time and age where therapy is done....i am at that point...i still suffer from depression , i still feel retarded and normally it is an external influence...mainly people and callous behavior that make em feel this way......i am not medicated now its over for me ....., and i relying on journaling and strategies i have been taught already to pull me through ....along with my faith in a higher power this being god, and to each living thing there is a purpose and a design......i have purpose whether or not i have fulfilled that or not remains to be seen..

 

 

 

you have a purpose being the way you are even if it isnt evident to you and it gets you down there will be a reason and an action that becomes clear to you you were meant to be that way...maybe it is to share with others, your experiences and be influential in another's happiness or getting of...........if you have never done therapy before try it.....try it for the strategies and the hope that it will give you....try it because someone just may understand how to help you and how to get you....try it...because if you dont you wont know the outcome...try it because you do matter...you are validated and worthwhile by your friends by yoru family, by the people who love you and i dotn know you i validate who you are,..then theres god who knows everything and every hair on your head.... he validated you long before you were born..hugs right to ya.......deb

Edited February 19, 2013 by todreaminblue

[ana0pera]

I talked to the person at our counseling service tonight and it wasn't bad at all. very general actually, the routine types of questions you'd ask at any doctors appointment (are you depressed, are you suicidal, are you thinking about hurting anyone, are you having difficulty sleeping, etc). she asked me if i had any preferences regarding a counselor (ethnicity, gender, sexuality) and i just said female, although later i realized that maybe it would be good to speak to a minority given that some of the issues i have might be related to being a minority.

 

regardless, i am starting short-term therapy next week and i'll go from there to determine if i should do something longer term. My advisor gave me a really good pep talk last week when I broke down in her office (how embarassing, btw!) and that helped so I think outside perspective with someone that I don't see everyday will also be nice.

 

I know that others believe in me, I've been told by others how great I am as a teacher, student, daughter, etc, but I am very hard on myself and I need to learn how to be more accepting of my talents, triumphs, and failures. I've always been hard on myself, I was that kid who would bawl her eyes out when she got a B+ on an interim report in high school. I got good at accepting failure when I was in college but not anymore, perhaps because the number of roadblocks I've faced recently has been unprecedented. I need some help getting back up and I can't be afraid to ask for it any longer.

[todreaminblue]

I talked to the person at our counseling service tonight and it wasn't bad at all. very general actually, the routine types of questions you'd ask at any doctors appointment (are you depressed, are you suicidal, are you thinking about hurting anyone, are you having difficulty sleeping, etc). she asked me if i had any preferences regarding a counselor (ethnicity, gender, sexuality) and i just said female, although later i realized that maybe it would be good to speak to a minority given that some of the issues i have might be related to being a minority.

 

regardless, i am starting short-term therapy next week and i'll go from there to determine if i should do something longer term. My advisor gave me a really good pep talk last week when I broke down in her office (how embarassing, btw!) and that helped so I think outside perspective with someone that I don't see everyday will also be nice.

 

I know that others believe in me, I've been told by others how great I am as a teacher, student, daughter, etc, but I am very hard on myself and I need to learn how to be more accepting of my talents, triumphs, and failures. I've always been hard on myself, I was that kid who would bawl her eyes out when she got a B+ on an interim report in high school. I got good at accepting failure when I was in college but not anymore, perhaps because the number of roadblocks I've faced recently has been unprecedented. I need some help getting back up and I can't be afraid to ask for it any longer.

 

 

 

you post like a girl with a plan....smilin atcha...good luck and i hope everything picks up for you, therapy will help you i feel, you already know where you want to go you have goals, you know where you have gone askew before and yoru goals now, they are realistic and achievable..you seem focused...so.... blue skies for you....best wishes....deb

[ana0pera]

I had my appointment this morning, it was basically me crying in a the room for an hour and forcing myself to answer her questions even though i wanted to shut down every time a tear rolled down my cheek. But overall I think it was helpful and she is helping me realize that I need to find balance in my life and worry less. I am seeing a psychiatrist next week to get evaluated for depression because I basically have all of the symptoms, except suicidal thoughts.

 

I am also thinking about taking a vacation by myself. She suggests I put myself around people and stop retreating into myself as much, and I think that is a good idea, but I also need some "me" time independent of my work. Maybe I will visit a friend for a weekend or something.