How to talk to your Psychiatrist?

I have just started seeing a psychiatrist (2nd visit this week). I have seen psychologists on and off for several years but they are just not what I need. I saw 2 and I ended up being their counselor. I am the person that everyone talks to about their problems. Even the psychologists told me this. I don't mind listening and trying to help a friend but have decided that most people don't want to fix their problem...they just want to talk about it. I want help for my problems!!! I am 54 female, have had Crohns disease for 23 yrs, have been having thyroid issues for a year which is a depression contributor. I have been asking for help for a year and just now getting it. My problem is...I don't know how to talk to her. I see a resident psychiatrist, then the psychiatrist comes in and we chat. I am the one that doesn't have problems, or at least doesn't talk about them. I don't air my dirty laundry and never have, I'm not a whiner and complainer and will do my best to make every Dr think I am "fine"...when in fact I am not! My Crohns problems are very embarrassing and not pleasant to talk about and my mental problems are hard to explain. To myself...I don't think I have have anything to be depressed about. However, I am severely depressed and I don't know how or why I am and don't know how to tell her what I feel. I had been on Wellbutrin xl 150 (2 daily) and she switched me to Pristiq and have been on it for a month with no change. I just don't know how to talk to her. I get off on another subject to avoid the first one. I did tell her I would try to make her think I was fine and can do it well. Suggestions?

know2much wrote:My problem is...I don't know how to talk to her. I see a resident psychiatrist, then the psychiatrist comes in and we chat. I am the one that doesn't have problems, or at least doesn't talk about them. I don't air my dirty laundry and never have, I'm not a whiner and complainer and will do my best to make every Dr think I am "fine"...when in fact I am not!

I have similar problems with discussing my problems with therapists and psychiatrists. I don't want to be judged, I'm ashamed of my condition, I fear doctors, and I'm paranoid about being thrown into a hospital against my will. It makes it really difficult to discuss my problems. Usually I just run away from doctors and quit therapy a couple weeks or a month in. The last time I was moderately successful in therapy was when I discussed my fears up front with a psychologist. My paranoia eventually won out, but I lasted 4 months. I don't know if that helps or not, but perhaps you should explain that you have great difficulty with talking about your problems and that you are bothered by the 'chatting'.

When life has made you have to be tough and self reliant, it's hard to take of the Boss Hate isn't it?
Your a smart lady though. You know that your avoiding the painful stuff. But it is time to learn to be brave in a new way.
I was raised to keep everything to myself. I thought it meant I was brave. Nope. I was hiding.
My name is onebravegirl because I finally learned that true courage comes from not hiding emotional pain. I am only one of many many others who have gone ahead and bared it all to a Therapist. IT WORKS! IT HELPS SO MUCH!
Try and focus on what it would be like to not have all the weight on your shoulders. To let out all the ?'s in your head and heart.
There is Such Freedom from it.
Its a tricky beginning of course. I started by making my sentences start with "I FEEL.... , I wonder, I worry, I wish".
A skilled therapist will make you do this if you ask for help with it. Their job is not to push you but to walk along side you, so you can ask for them to help you learn how to open up.
Your a brave lady, your just learning a new way to be what you already are. A moments courage and it is done. One sentence at a time. You can do it :!:
With Hope,
One

I know it might be a bit late in the day to be replying to this... but I think you just need to start at least one session with "I would feel more comfortable if we talked only about me and my problems because that's what I'm here for"... if you feel too guilty or ashamed to do that, how about making a copy of your post in this forum and letting her see it in order to let her know how you feel and how important it is to you?

You may have been conditioned, at some point in your life, to think that other people's problems are more important than your own and may be subconsciously projecting that on to others... If anything, I wouldn't be surprised if the only reason your psychiatrist allows herself to be so chatty in each session is out of a misguided belief that that would make YOU feel more comfortable (because other than that it really isn't her job to be talking about her own issues).

Be brave and good luck.

i happened on this post accidently (initially not realizing how logn ago it was made) but was surprised at how well i relate, for the most part. I have never benefited from 'talkinga bout my problems', and in any instance where i have forced myself if felt overwhelmingly no understood. this has been illy received by many a psychiatrist, who weakly attempted to persuade me to sseek therapy. do yo urealize, a psychiatrists job is to prescribe medication, and pyscologist or therapists job is to converse with...

Hello i likewise think that it supportive to record things. I regularly compose a rundown of things i need to talk/ask about when i visit. That way you have an office and it will help you keep tabs on the most critical zones.