Struggling

[Dee_76]

I’m struggling at the moment, I have had some bad thoughts over the last couple of days. I’m ok today. I found this group as my tech listens to me and showed up in my facebook feed. I spoke to a new psychologist today who want me to see a psychiatrist and I don’t know what to expect and I have no friends outside of work. Just needed to get that out. 

[tyme]

Welcome to the forums @Dee_76 . It's great to have you with us. I'm sorry that things have been so hard for you and that you are struggling.

You are certainly not alone here. Seeing a psychiatrist for the first time can certainly be anxiety-provoking. I'm sure others here will be able to share their experiences with you. You can also read this read thread What to expect from a psychiatrist? which might be helpful for you.

[AlwaysMyself]

Hi @Dee_76 , welcome. I am glad you found your way here and I hope you find some support and friendship here as I have myself. 😊

I saw a psychiatrist in the past for many years for medication & psychotherapy.

I used to work for a psychiatrist too for a year or two. 

Keeping in mind that every psychiatrist is individual and thus different, is there any specific questions or concerns that come to mind?

I have found psychiatrists really useful for medication advice. The one I was first referred to was really good with medications and put a lot of thought into the pros & cons of which to prescribe, taking into account other conditions too (e.g. weight, chronic pain, etc). I saw a psychiatrist for review at the start of this year also as a one-off for a medication review (in case of newer / more effective options as I'd not had a review in 10 years). 

In terms of treatment, some psychiatrists may specialise in different types of treatment - just like a psychologist I guess. From a therapy perspective, I found my psychiatrist very similar to an experienced psychologist -- just with the added benefit of being able to prescribe my medication, write referrals for annual blood test checks, and no limit to the number of medicare-claimable sessions lol.

If you would like to talk about what has been going on for you, your bad thoughts, or even just social distraction let me know as I am more than happy to. 😊

[Sadness2015]

You are not alone - the holiday period is the worst for me.... being alone in a foreign country that I call home .... yet too afraid to trust anyone ....  so no friends and no relationships - I barely recognise myself anymore....  I am just a mom grieving on a daily basis thanks to parental alienation - 

[Leeanne1]

@Sadness2015 

I understand were your coming it not easy when your partner poison your children mind. My husband turned 4 of my children against me not I can't even see my grandchildren 😞 

[Sadness2015]

I never saw this coming in a million years - I did not expect to still be dealing with this 10 years later.... basically I stopped living when he disappeared with my two young daughters and have barely existed again... no way to live - 

[Leeanne1]

@Sadness2015 

I'm so sorry here if you need to talk 

[Sadness2015]

How do you add the person you want to read your message??? Just got on here a couple of hours ago and have not figured out what I am doing yet ....

[Leeanne1]

@Sadness2015 

I don't think you can add someone . I've ever worked it out myself sorry ,

[Jynx]

@Sadness2015 if you want other members to be notified that you've responded, you can tag them using the @ symbol, then selecting (or typing if they aren't in the drop down menu) their username so it shows up in blue, like this: @Leeanne1 

There's some more how-to's here!