"mental" Health & Psychiatrists
<div class="IPBDescription">... past experiences?</div> I recently come back from the doctors and hes sending me to see a psychiatrist. Just wondering about past experiences. This isn't exactly the easiest topic for people although if anyone could give me an insight to their past experiences it would be nice <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Comments
Psychotherapy is good for you, especially if you were abused growing up, keep in mind that being hit just one [1] time can leave a lasting impression on the brain. Most people don't realize that being abused leaves them wide open, and most people actually tend to try and repeat the trauma that they suffered, and they pass it on to kids and it's a vicious cycle. If you don't mind me asking, why did he recommend you for psychiatry? I have ambitions of becoming a psychiatrist later in life, and it's an MD with a residency and experience in psychology, so it's an ton of school, you can listen to what he/she/it says becuase most likely they are right
I myself have had roughly 7 years of psychotherapy for my A hole dad, and it helps. The only person you have complete control over is yourself.
Psychotherapy is good for you, especially if you were abused growing up, keep in mind that being hit just one [1] time can leave a lasting impression on the brain. Most people don't realize that being abused leaves them wide open, and most people actually tend to try and repeat the trauma that they suffered, and they pass it on to kids and it's a vicious cycle. If you don't mind me asking, why did he recommend you for psychiatry? I have ambitions of becoming a psychiatrist later in life, and it's an MD with a residency and experience in psychology, so it's an ton of school, you can listen to what he/she/it says becuase most likely they are right
I myself have had roughly 7 years of psychotherapy for my A hole dad, and it helps. The only person you have complete control over is yourself. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yeah mine is for self harming but I suppose some minor child abuse I had as a small child will come up. Thanks for the insight though <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
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By the way, if you don't "click" with the guy, don't be put off. Go back to your doctor and ask him to refer you to another. There's no point if you can't connect.
Incidently, for anyone at a UK university - you are allowed to have six (I think it's six) free sessions with a councillor. I urge you to go along and use them if you're having any problems.
But anyhow, hope things go well for you.
i had to do some dumb counseling stuff in 7th-8th grade for a month or so, it never really helped with whatever they thought it would help, i still feel like the same ol' hateful person <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
i had to do some dumb counseling stuff in 7th-8th grade for a month or so, it never really helped with whatever they thought it would help, i still feel like the same ol' hateful person <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Exact same bloody thing.
There's also the confidentiality thing - so if there are things you're repressing that you really have no one else to talk to about, that's what the therapist is there for. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> I think it's worth a shot, at least a couple of times to see what it's like, for anyone who thinks they might need it.
hes still cool tho, a bit outta wack but nonetheless i dont have much belief in the whole therapy/counseling stuff
Just have to get that out there <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Personaly, I can't do the entire therapy thing (one of my main problems is my inability to open up to people, so compleate strangers have jack and squat chances)
However, it can still be very beneficial to most people.
And as was said, if yah don't click, try again <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Last semester I went to some counseling for social and generalized anxiety. It was free here through the U of Wisconsin, although I probably would have paid for it because it had gotten so bad. The individual therapy helped quite a bit, and even though it was really hard to go through with it, you just have to remind yourself that it's going to be overall a positive experience. The group therapy was even more helpful for me, since it addressed my specific issue. It was also useful to know that other people were going through the very same things that I was.
Lastly, don't be afraid of the drugs. It's 2004, things are relatively safe now. Even when you have some nasty side effects that are possible (like the ones listed for mine, and I quote "4 hour prolonged painful erections") it can be quite worth it. I wouldn't go willy-nilly taking anything that would help you, but I would suggest taking what is prescribed. I've had friends that have had issues with it before, and after they got over the original problems they appreciate the effects that they have on them.
It's only a mute, not a cure. <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Ever pull a dead baby from a car wreck?
These are loose explanations from my limited understanding of the respective fields.
A psychiatrist is a doctor specialising in mental illnesses. They will therefore take a doctor's approach and treat a patient's problems and its symptoms rather than the cause. Since they are doctors, they can prescribe medication. They may recommend psychotherapy.
A psychotherapist is a term loosely covering the 'talking' or interpersonal therapies. This discipline is where the couch and Freud stereotypes apply. Generally, the aim of psychotherapy is to find the causes of current issues and enable the person to deal with them. There are various sub-disciplines.
My advice to you is to see how the pshychiatry goes. If you are prescribed any medications, ask about them: side-effects, alternatives, withdrawal symptoms. Some medications may work for you, others may not. Once prescribed, I would expect that the pshyciatrist will take a passive monitoring role where you go back once in a while to check you're OK. Be aware that medications will mask the issues rather than solve them long term. Because of this you could suggest psychotherapy to your psychiatrist as an alternative.
If you do go for psychotherapy, then there are few points to consider. As others have posted, you'll probably find that you "get on" better with certain pshychotherapists than others. There are various sub-disciplines of pshychotherapy as well, some which may be suitable for you than others depending on who and where you are. Be aware that psychotherapy can be painful and challenging. I expect you will going to the dark places that hide behind your self harm.
Psychotherapy:
Therapy
Shrink
Counciling
Therapist
Psychologist (psychiatrists are NOT psychologists, they only have an MD, not a PhD)
I am personaly a strong believer in Behavioral therapy (and am leary of those people that still stick heavily with Frued, Jung and Erikson).
If you are perscribed drugs make sure you are also seeing a therapist, as drugs are not the cure, they simply remove the signs/symptoms.
Not only that, but get a second/third opinion if you are perscribed anything. Alot of psychiatrists are not all that great. There used to be a time (about 5 years ago) where any kid that had problems paying attention in class would be put on riddlin (drug designed for people with ADD). This has fortunatly goen away some, however it still does exist. There are also alot of colleges where their counciling center likes putting you on drugs.
having a hard time studying? Here is some riddlin
Depressed? have some prozac/welbutrin/etc etc (what ever they have free samples of).
I am not saying that drugs are vad or wrong, I am just saying that you need to do some homework yourself (as other people said)
Certain drugs have different benefits/side effects (forinstance, if you do have problems concentrating they might suggest Wellbutrin, as it has that effect also)
goodluck mate <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
My general advice: Be weary of anything you take. Never rely on what you are given to solve your problems. You wouldn't be the first person, especially not the first person with symptoms like yours, to get addicted to sedative medication thanks to a psychatrist's careless prescription. This is not to say that you should not take medication if it's offered to you, as Thansal said, it is often necessary to mute the symptoms while rectifying the cause, but if you begin to rely on the medication to get you through your day, that's a sure sign that you'd better stop.
Best of luck.
So, the point is, even if you don't make any progress now, that doesn't mean therapy won't help in the future. The sooner the better as far as help goes, but any progress is better than none.
In the US most Psychiatrists get an MD and then go through some very minor pschology based courses, though mostly they just study psychopharmacology.
A few do pick up post doctorate degrees in psychoanalasys, but most (atleast in NYC) don't
To elaborate on what Taboofires said:
Sticking with a psychologist for a while is a very good idea, part of it is that the longer you know the guy/gall for the better you will be able to open up to them. the more you can open up the better off you will be <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Oh, and for where my opinions/knowledge comes from:
I was raised by 2 PhD's in psychology (my mom teaches psychology), and recently I had alot of interaction with the field my self, and thus did alot of thinking on it.
I remember in high school from grade 7-9 I had NO friends whatsoever. Put me into a good 2 year depression. If it werent for my friends I made in grade 10, then I'd probably have killed myself by now.