How to deal with a visit to the psychologist?

Oooh, a question I can actually answer!!

First of all, you're not alone. I know MANY people who have attended counselling for certain periods in their lives. And, this doesn't include all the people who SHOULD be going.

I've never been to a 'psychologist'. I've been to a psychiatrist and a counsellor. But, I think you should be clear with the doctor if you believe it is a psychologist you need. If you are looking for more than counselling (like medication), then you want to be talking to a psychiatrist. You should also talk to your doctor about which of these methods can be funded for you. For example, psychiatrists are covered by the provincial health care system in Canada, but a counsellor isn't. I don't know where you live, but its something to ask before you get a referral.

Also - Don't be worried about knowing what to say to your counsellor. It is their job to listen to you! Usually during the first session, they ask you about your history, your family relationships, etc. Its to get a background about you.

If you have any more questions, let me know!

 

Something you need to know now and make sure you remember it. Therapy is usually just a diagnostic tool. Not a means of support. I went into therapy thinking I would have a good out let and someone to talk to. Thats not what I received. So as long as your remember that therapy is no replacement for external support then I think it will be a lot easer.

As for what will you do. They tend to do guided questions and exercises. They may ask you about certain subjects. They may also ask you what you think is wrong ect.

For the most part they help you better understand you.

Please keep in mind that everyone is different and your theapry expeirnce may be very different than others.

But don't stress. Just go and try to make good use of your time. Therapy may or may not be of help to you. Depending on your situation. But it will at least give you another option in understanding yourself.

 

They will ask you questions, such as

"What do you want to do with your time here, what issues would you like to work on?"

Start from there. If they don't ask, then tell them why you are there and what you need help on.

 

It's awesome that you've decided to help yourself this way. A therapist is probably one of the best resources you have at your disposal on this journey to self-realization/recovery.

Before you go for your appointment, I would sit down and do a thorough inventory of your issues and what you would like to address. Figure out what you think is paramount and highlight it for yourself. Take it with you to the appointment and read through those notes in the waiting room, but put it away once you walk in. That way, if for whatever reason you're nervous or sidetracked or need a jump-off point, the list of topics is still relatively fresh in your mind. That, and you're less likely to forget something important.

Good luck!

 

Onyrica, that's great to hear - it means that you are ready to take back the responsibility into your life. It's a cornerstone for building self-esteem.

My intuition told me to visit a counselor years ago - it was my feelings and conscious doubts that got in the way. And once I made it, I wished I got there sooner I was also very nervous during the first few visits.

Basically there are three kinds of psychological help you can get. The first two are meant for healthy people who have problems in their lives and only the last one is meant for mentally ill.

1) "Psychologists" as you call them (I don't know the exact term in English) use a set of techniques - such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. They are the kind of people you should go to when you have a specific problem: such as drug addiction, depression, a damaging heartbreak. Psychologists will ask you questions, give exercises and may offer some medication. You will get guaranteed results after relatively short time (like 5-10 visits). The problem with this kind of approach is that it usually heals symptoms, but not the cause.

2) Psychoanalytics and counselors use talk therapy and they will be keen to learn your problems from the very root. They are what people usually imagine as "therapy" - the kind you see in "Sopranos". There are multiple schools of psychoanalytics that you might have heard: Freudian, Jungian etc. Each practitioner usually belongs to some or use a mix - you should ask him/her about that. This kind of therapy is costly and can go on for a long time - months or even years. If the counselor is not suitable for you, then you can talk and talk... and nothing will happen. Trust your intuition on this

3) Psychiatrists are doctors who specialize in treating mental disorders like split personalities and schizophrenia. You probably do not need to see one

From what I have read in your post I think it would be best for you to visit a caunselor and not a "psychologyst". That's because you've felt the problem for a long time (3 years) and do not know the exact cause of it.

 

It is actually Psychiatrists, not Psychologists that can prescribe medication. And they deal with a variety of problems, one of which is mental illness. But, since depression is a mental illness, it is still possible that they will need to see a Psychiatrist.

Also - all of the therapies we've mentioned are 'talk therapies' to some extent. However, they may also include other therapies.

But, I agree with someone above who said you should first talk to a Psychologist. Especially if you would first like to tackle your depression non-medicinally.

However, I seem to say this a lot... but if it comes down to you needing medication, try to keep an open mind. For depression, antidepressants paired with therapy is a very effective treatment method. Remember that it is ONE aspect of your recovery, not all of it (I forget this often! ) Also, don't be self-conscious about needing meds at the age of 21. I'm 24 and I've been on Effexor (an SSRI) for the past two years and have found it has infinitely improved my mood.

I hope you get to see who you wanted to today! And, I apploud your courage, because its difficult to finally decide to get help.

 

Onyrica, you mentioned you felt like you had a void in you. I've often felt like I have a black hole in me - a desire for something, but I didn't know what. It left me restless, unsatisfied, unable to be at peace. It felt like no matter what I tried, it was always empty, always demanding more... Is that kind of like what you're experiencing?

 

I used to feel like there was a 'veil' between me and the outside world. And, at the worst of my depression, I remember being with my beloved friends, and I expected myself to feel happy, but I just felt numb.

I also remember feeling like I was in a black hole. My thoughts would swirl around like when you pull the plug in the bath. Negative painful thoughts always swirling.

I also go through phases of being physically 'depressed', like being much slower to do anything, moving slowly, talking slowly, etc. I remember putting my shoes on taking an extreme effort.

PS - I'm really glad you liked your psychologist. It makes things infinitely easier if you have a rapport with them.

 

Definately feel at ease if you go to a psychiatrist. I went to one a while back to see what they could do that I wasn't about my OCD. She basically confirmed that in fact I am a clear and classic case of OCD, at which point, it was merely a check-up to see my responce to the drugs and then change the dosage accordingly... Psychiatrists just try to be sure that they are actually witnessing symptoms that can be controlled chemically, and then monitor closely that they are working in an expected and positive way. I mean, at one point she actually said that I had done a bunch of the therapy myself by having already completely objectified my OCD symptoms.

It's probably pretty good for a lot of people, but, I actually quit it because I did NOT want to be dependant on those chemicals. I know where my own levers are at and how much it takes to pull them. I would howevor be fascinated to see a cognitive psychologist working... I bet that's a whole other animal, and I think you should be excited to see one!

 

Onyrica, I'm sorry to hear you're feeling this way, and glad you have decided to take steps to remedy the situation. Good for you!

My main advice about this is to see if you can try talking to a few different therapists before you choose who you will see for the long term. As many have mentioned, how well you get along with your therapist will greatly affect the effectiveness of your therapy and treatment.

It's great that the first person you saw made you feel at ease, but in addition to feeling at ease, you have to feel that you are able to communicate with your therapist - that they easily understand you and what you are trying to tell them, and that you easily understand them and what they are saying to you.

I don't know if the system in Spain will allow you to do this, but if you can, see if you can make appointments with a few different people. Think of it as if you are interviewing them for the position of being your therapist. You can tell them about your problems and why you want to see a therapist, but you can also make it clear that you are trying out a few different people. Then you can talk about anything, any small talk at all, just to see how well you like them and whether or not you think you can communicate easily with them. People are different and have different personalities (and that includes therapists), so it's in your best interest to find a personality you get along with. It will be much better for you in the long run. You will feel at ease with them and achieve a good level of trust much sooner than if you feel like you can't communicate.

And who knows, in the end you might decide the first person you saw was the best for you, but at least you will be choosing them because you have tried out some others, not just because that's who the doctor sent you to.

Good luck, and keep at it! It might be hard to start, but it's worth it in the long run!