Advice?

[Bramble2000]

Hello ,

I’ve got a telephone appointment with my psychiatrist on Friday. I always get super wound up about these appointments because I don’t really feel listened to. However, it could be that I’m not very good about explaining how I’m feeling. During the many years I’d raising four children, I felt I couldn’t ever really be honest about how I feel because someone would come and take my kids away. I just want to express that I feel really really low and often think about the day when I can leave. Life has been too cruel to me and I’m really struggling. I also need her to write to my GP to explain that not only am I housebound due to physical illnesses but it’s also because of my PTSD. I’m really fed up with doctors telling me to go to this app and that app but I can’t. I’d need someone to go with me but I don’t have anyone. The other thing is that I just can’t sleep. I’m so exhausted. Anyway, thanks for listening. X

[LilyAnnepuppy]

Sorry to hear of your struggles. And I hope your session Works out okay.

[Bramble2000 in reply to LilyAnnepuppy]

thanks

[Cb1963]

Yes I understand how you feel, the lack of human contact is getting more and more in this day and age of technology, I'm sure the physiatrist will write any notes and pass any further notes onto your doctor, it all depends on whether you have a good relationship with your doctor as well, obviously I don't know what you're expecting from this consultation and if you're expecting tablets to help with any difficulties. These telephone appointments are perhaps trying to gather how you feel, and maybe you are looking at other issues that you were getting more worried unduly about, namely your children, ptsd is a complex problem and can stretch back many years, this can take a one to one basis counselling, and requires a more in depth support, and if your taking other tablets at the moment the physiatrist has to be careful they don't disagree with any medication your taking so they don't upset your body, it's a long process, but I really hope you get the support you deserve, and getting a decent night's sleep is a big part of the problem, so definitely worth mentioning that, best wishes 😇

[Bramble2000 in reply to Cb1963]

thanks. Maybe I’ll write a list! 😆

[Dani0431]

Hi, I can relate because for many years I never felt heard by psychiatrists. It wasn’t until last year that I had a psychiatrist who was wonderful and she was at a treatment facility where you have to be in their program to get an appointment with her :/. But yeah I feel that struggle of wanting to be heard so bad. I hope that you will keep looking until you find a psychiatrist you like. It can a lot of difference.

Also you mention being home bound. I am at home a lot especially in the summer so if you want to message me we can chat!

[Bramble2000 in reply to Dani0431]

I’m in the UK. We have who we get given unfortunately. I just feel judged by her. I can’t win because of the situation I’m in. No one understands and active judges. It’s a living hell.

[Dani0431 in reply to Bramble2000]

hmm, ok. Well it can be helpful to remember that psychologists and psychiatrists are human too and if they seem to be judging they probably don’t mean to be. I’ve never been to the UK. I’m curious how things are there 😯

[Hidden]

I could've written this myself. That's how much I get this. I'm housebound also and I'm so sorry that you're struggling but, you're not alone. My journal helps. I have one specifically for my appointments. When I have my appointment, I grab it, take notes, and ask any questions I have. I write down everything dr says too in my own shorthand lol I have a Dr appointment in 2 weeks and I have anxiety about it already! Make sure that you're heard and understood. Your appointments are all for you and you only. Take them in and talk about the very honesty of your thoughts, as much as you can anyway. I understand though and sympathize. I am sending you love and light. 🫂 ~hug~

[Bramble2000 in reply to Hidden]

I just really struggle to get across just how bad I’m feeling. X

[Hidden in reply to Bramble2000]

I understand. It's tough. Like Dani said, psychiatrists and psychologists are human too. They do seem judgy. I struggle with it too. Like, when i get out of my zoom appointment, my mind floods me with stuff i said, stuff they said, stuff i shouldn't have said. And, what if they think this or that? It's endless. Hugs 🫂 🤗

[Bramble2000 in reply to Hidden]

yes. Overthinking is awful. Thank you. X

[Bramble2000 in reply to Hidden]

it was one of the worst appointments I’ve ever had. She was dismissive, judgemental, made huge assumptions and then discharged me. Great.

[Hidden in reply to Bramble2000]

Ah shit, I'm sorry. Maybe try another provider? If it's possible anyway. I hate appointments. ~hug~

[Hidden in reply to Bramble2000]

Btw, I can't sleep either. I'm exhausted today. What do we do with ourselves! Ugh. Just know you're not alone.

[designguy]

You might write out ahead of time what you want to convey to the therapist and even read it to them or refer to it during your appointment. By doing it ahead of time you won't feel pressured or so stressed and less likely to forget something.

[CL3V3R-G1RL]

I get how you feel. My psychologist and I got off onto the wrong foot. We have video sessions and when we or should I say when I first started seeing her. I told her what I was looking for. I was looking to come back from anxiety and get back to the way I was living before. And she would always use this analogy about marathon running. That you may used to have done it but now you can't cuz you've taken time off. You can't leap back up and start doing it again. I'm like okay. I guess I understand that. I know I have to work through my anxiety.

When I have frustrating days with anxiety. I would get told well you can't start running a marathon. Like again I get it but I know I can't get back into it. I would have to train for it. Isn't that what therapy therapy is for. Then she used the analogy again but this time incorporated my age. When I explained how I'm not doing anything I used to love doing like going walking around the park and such. I want to do that again. She said well we're getting older and some things we can't do. Like marathon running. That she used to do it herself. But as she gotten older she can't be as fast as she once was. I'm like wtf does that have to do with me? Why bring my age into it? I'm not looking into running. Second I'm not in a marathon. Third I said I just want my old life back were I'm not fearful of everything. I wrote a long email explaining this is how I feel and I don't think this is helping me.

At our next session she apologize for the misunderstanding. And I accepted her apology and went back on track. Been doing well with her after that. But she was close to being fired 😂