Should i See a Psycologist or Psychiatrist first?

Alrighty well i have an appointment this Friday with a psychologist. Yay.

Do most people see doctors of the opposite gender? I'm a guy and im seeing another guy. I'm kinda hesitant at first cause i'll probably sound like a sissy when I'm talking to him about stuff.

Hey Mike,

Remember that this psychologist has probably seen hundreds of guys talking about very personal stuff, so I don't think you'll have to be afraid that he'll judge you. Also, I believe as part of their training psychologists are required to submit to therapy themselves, so he really isn't in a position to think you're a sissy because of that.

I (also of the male variety) have seen four psychologist throughout my life so far, two of them male, and two female. I've found that I was much more comfortable with the women than with the men. I couldn't say why. Maybe it wasn't a gender thing so much as a personality thing.
When seeing your psychologist, if you discover that you're uncomfortable to the point that you're holding back information important to your diagnosis and/or treatment, you should definitely try to find someone else with whom you can be more open. I'm sure you understand that it's very important that you can talk freely with your psychologist.

Good luck

Mike87 wrote:Alrighty well i have an appointment this Friday with a psychologist. Yay.
Do most people see doctors of the opposite gender? I'm a guy and im seeing another guy. I'm kinda hesitant at first cause i'll probably sound like a sissy when I'm talking to him about stuff.

No, he's not going to think such things. Guys succeed as therapists over the long run by being *sensitive* - not judgmental, by helping clients find what avenue will lead them toward more satisfying, less painful lives.
I've seen therapists of both genders over the years: and the most helpful ones have sometimes been men, sometimes women.
Even if you don't *completely* "click" at first, be sure you give him a few sessions. Therapists have various styles and favored strategies. When we're in distress we're not always able to get the big picture of what'll be helpful to us.
Good luck - and let us know how it's going.

Mike87 wrote:Alrighty well i have an appointment this Friday with a psychologist. Yay.

Do most people see doctors of the opposite gender? I'm a guy and im seeing another guy. I'm kinda hesitant at first cause i'll probably sound like a sissy when I'm talking to him about stuff.

How did it go Mikey boy?

It went pretty well. The guy was really nice and he and I got along well. He basically just got background information on my family, growing up, and what anxiety problems I'm having now.

I'm going back tommorow at 3 for another appointment. He said i probably wouldn't need medicine to help my problem so thats good.

What should i expect from appointments from here on out?


(Also, thanks for asking how it went, thats really nice of you)

Mike87 wrote:It went pretty well. The guy was really nice and he and I got along well. He basically just got background information on my family, growing up, and what anxiety problems I'm having now.

I'm going back tommorow at 3 for another appointment. He said i probably wouldn't need medicine to help my problem so thats good.

What should i expect from appointments from here on out?


(Also, thanks for asking how it went, thats really nice of you)

No worries. If you're quite confident you have APD or SAD then maybe seeing both couldn't hurt.

Meds would be more effective for SAD than APD I reckon.