going to therapy for the first time, what's it like?

i have an appt with a counselor or whatever for the first time next week. i am just wondering what i should expect? do they ask me specific questions or what? i am extremely nervous and have trouble opening up to people unless i know them really well.

the councellors and psychologists that i have seen(and believe me i have seen a few) have a wonderful nack of putting you at ease. the only person that really knows you is you, and all they try and do is get you to talk openly at them so you eventually see the answer for yourself. it does work but unfortunately it takes time. you will have good and bad days and the bad always seems 100 tmes worse after a good day because it is difficult to understand how you can feel so bad when you have previously felt so good . stick with it and it will help. :

Once you find the right therapist you will feel so much better to have someone to talk to and get things off your chest. It may take you a few tries to find the person you click with, but eventually you will and I have found the experience life changing. I even see my therapist more often than I used too just because my head feels clearer when I leave. Good luck to you.

They will usually ask you questions. Just be honest with them and they will help you the best you can. Unless they starr yelling at you, I even got kicked out once lol. I tend to make them upset, so yeah I'm on number umm don't remember. So it might take 2,3,4 to get the right one. Don't expect improvement the first time either. Good luck.

I was terrified on my first session. But she was a lovely lady and asked very simple questions, mainly what has happened in my past. I did most of the talking for the first few sessions, but that she was able to show knowledge of my problems and that she didn't judge me made me feel very comfortable with her.

Psychiatrists aren't interested in your life story, sure they'll listen to your rave but they are really listening for specific manifestations of symptoms within your dialogue that fit the diagnostic criteria of the DSM IV, then they apply the appropriate code and bill you or your medical insurance.

It's a truly amazing process, no medical diagnostic exam is available that ensures the existence of the specific chemical imbalance that accompanies your diagnosis but that doesn't seem to matter.

They then usually prescribe a medication (with lots of dangerous side effects) to target the chemical imbalance they cannot medically prove exists. Then they make another appointment for you and this process is continued over and over.

Going to therapy was the best thing that I could have done to help conquer fears etc.

I was extremely anxiety ridden and nervous, scared but it was the best decision I could have made. My depression is chemical, nothing I can do about it.

If it works for you then by all means continue with your therapy, it helped me out tremendously, I don't know where I'd be today if it wasn't for her help.

Good luck to you.

Psychiatrists aren't interested in your life story, sure they'll listen to your rave but they are really listening for specific manifestations of symptoms within your dialogue that fit the diagnostic criteria of the DSM IV, then they apply the appropriate code and bill you or your medical insurance.

Untue guest, of course psychiatrists are interested in your story, they are there to treat you for whatever your problem may be, they are beneficial, maybe not for everyone, they don't bill you , not where I am anyways, for me it's free.

They then usually prescribe a medication (with lots of dangerous side effects) to target the chemical imbalance they cannot medically prove exists.

Again untrue, not ALL medications have dangerous side effects, you obviously don't know much about todays medications.

For me I've never been in danger because of the side effects, yes there are some out there, but it's rare that the side effect is dangerous.

Medication is helpful, if it works for you. Personally, I find medication works great to help level out my chemical imbalance, and YES there is a thing as chemical imbalances, not everyone suffers from that, not all disorders are about chemical imblances either.

Anywho yeah forgot to make those comments.

Pero,

If you are told you have a chemical imbalance ask for the lab test results that prove this! If your doctor cannot produce it, then you should really consider if you can trust this person.

Secondly research all the information you can relating to the dangers of the mediction you are prescribed.

Heres a very useful link http://www.breggin.com/

Thearpy- My expeiences have varried, it all depends on what type of thearpy you are doing but usually on your first visit she will ask you a lot of questions and take some notes...some will be as evaluation for mental disorders others just basic information. Be prepared to have to fill out some papers so come armed with your social security care, medical insurence care, id, ect. She will also probley ask you what you'd like to accomplish in thearpy and may talk about a treatment plan. I've had a lot of bad experiences with thearpy...but recently have found it very benifitial. You have to both want it to work. Somtimes it takes time but in the end its worth it .

Medication- Sadgurl, you seem like a cool person but I must debate on this one . I've been studying these for a while...and was forced to take several. They messed me up and seemed to mess others up. I believe that every mental illness can be overcome through intense thearpy and god. Mabe even an occasional hospitalization when needed but medication seems just, wrong. I understand that psychiatry has come a long way...from the neropletics of the past like thorazine to the many types of anti-depressant of now. But think about it every new treatment they come out with they make the old ones look bad so the new ones look good. Insulin commas, hydrothearpy, ECT, neropletics, and medications. As for Breggin, I have read one of his books "Your Drug may be your problem" by Peter R. Breggin and David Cohen. I loved his writing and he made a lot of good points. I am very open minded and would love to hear other viewpoints on this one

Here are some sites that may interest you

Medications
www.prozactruth.com
www.ablechild.org
http://www.worldtalkradio.com/show.asp?sid=97
www.anniearmen.org
http://www.oism.info/danni_farmaci/1994_01_gb.htm
http://www.mindfreedom.org/about.shtml
http://www.worldnewsstand.net/health/ritalin2.htm
http://www.oralchelation.net/data/Lilly/lilly6.htm
http://www.salon.com/health/feature/200 ... kid_drugs/
http://psychrights.org/drugs.htm
http://www.sntp.net/prozac/breggin_prozac_2.htm
http://www.blockcenter.com/
http://www.fightforkids.com/press/2002/mab.htm
http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/40/7/32
http://www.dsuper.net/~styan/neurolep.htm
http://www.coreynahman.com/atypical-ant ... suits.html
http://pharma-help.com/antipsychotic-an ... de-effects