What should I expect?

I may be getting help soon. If things aren't better by the end of August, I may go to a doctor about it. And I wanted to know what I should expect. What do they usually do on the first couple visists, and that kind of thing. If you need to know my "symptoms" or whatever it is then here they are:

nightmares
sleepwalking
severe mood swings
suicidal thoughts
paranoia, usually at night


That's all I can think of right now, but anyway, if you guys could tell me what to expect, then that would be GREAT!!

~element

hi element,

usually the first thing the doctor will do, is start asking you all kinds of questions about family history, why you are there, what symptoms have you been experiencing, what was your childhood like, etc.

They probably wont diagnose you right away, or at least they should't until they know you better and get as much details as they can about your symptoms. It will probably take a few sessions before getting a diagnosis and then they will probably start you on medication.

good luck...im sorry you are going through all this.

-Becka

Thank you. And as for my childhood, I'm barely out of it. I'm just a teenager now, so the thoughts of going to a doctor are sort of scary for me. But thanx for letting me know a little of what to expect!!

Hi element,

Good for you that you have the courage to recognize that you are in alot of discomfort and you are going to getting some help. After all if you had alot of pain in your shoulder or leg, you'd go to a doctor. This isn't really all that different.

I'm guessing that you will visit your family doctor. Tell the dr. that you would like to talk to a dr who specializing in dealing with the kinds of the things you have described.

A psychiatrist/psychologist will often begin by asking you what is bothering you. Believe me, you aren't going to be able to tell them anything that they haven't heard before. Also, as was said earlier, they also ask for background info, like where do you live, your level of education, do you like school, do you have bros/sisters, etc. They are trying to get an overall sketch of you.

Like any relationship, it will take some time for trust to develop. If you find yourself feeling too nervous to talk, then I'd tell them just that.

You have your whole life ahead of you and you can get help so that you don't have to feel the way you describe.

Hope this helps. Also hope you post and let us know how you make out. If you have any more questions, I'm sure that people will respond.

mermaidmo

Hi element,

Good for you that you have the courage to recognize that you are in alot of discomfort and you are going to getting some help. After all if you had alot of pain in your shoulder or leg, you'd go to a doctor. This isn't really all that different.

I'm guessing that you will visit your family doctor. Tell the dr. that you would like to talk to a dr who specializing in dealing with the kinds of the things you have described.

A psychiatrist/psychologist will often begin by asking you what is bothering you. Believe me, you aren't going to be able to tell them anything that they haven't heard before. Also, as was said earlier, they also ask for background info, like where do you live, your level of education, do you like school, do you have bros/sisters, etc. They are trying to get an overall sketch of you.

Like any relationship, it will take some time for trust to develop. If you find yourself feeling too nervous to talk, then I'd tell them just that.

You have your whole life ahead of you and you can get help so that you don't have to feel the way you describe.

Hope this helps. Also hope you post and let us know how you make out. If you have any more questions, I'm sure that people will respond.

mermaidmo

Thanx sooo much for giving me an idea of what to expect!! I'm not sure if Ill be getting help or not. I just get so nervous about talking to my parents about it. But anyway. I may get help. Everything is unpredictable.

Thanx though!!