A
female
age
26-29,
anonymous
writes:Hey all. I don't want to sit here and write a sob story but throughout my entire life (I am 18 right now) I have been through some really bad things. Not only am I not over the things that have happened in my past, but even right now in my life I am dealing with a ton of stuff and my depression is at its worst right now. I have been really interested in maybe seeing a psychiatrist/counselor, but I have no idea what to expect or what's going to happen when I start seeing one.What is your first session like? Do they really help you over time? Is it worth it to go see one? I was wondering if any of you guys who have ever done this could maybe explain a little what seeing a psychiatrist is like and what your personal experiences were like going through this. I really look forward to hearing your stories and appreciate the help. Reply to this Question
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female
reader, chigirl  +, writes (21 April 2013):
 Opps, sorry, need to correct myself. I haven't been to a psychiatrist, I've been to a psychologist. I forgot about the difference for a while. I don't know how a psychiatrist is, other than I know they give you medication, whereas a psychologist helps you with cognitive tools.
A
female
reader, chigirl +, writes (21 April 2013):
I liked it. Of course, it varies from person to person if it will benefit you, but you sound like someone who would benefit from it. Because you're open to the idea of talking to one. Not all people are willing to take a chance and open up to a stranger. But remember, they can't go out and tell anyone about what you say, it is confidential. So it will stay between you and them.
I found it a great relief to finally tell someone the truth about absolutely everything. I had been keeping everything a secret from everyone. Because many things involved other people and things were personal. Not things I could just discuss with friends or family. So it was a great relief and a burden off my shoulders to open up to someone.
My first session with a psychiatrist wasn't my idea, actually. I got sent there. I could say no, but when you're 17 and told to go you tend to follow orders. And it sucked, and that psychiatrist had all sorts of ideas and had heard things that weren't true and insinuated that I had been sexually abused at home. It was a bad experience, actually, and made me feel very uncomfortable and actually angry that he dared assume things. I just went that one time, and when asked if I wanted to come back I gave it a firm no.
But then at 19 I decided I would give it a go again, this time with someone different. My first session was amazing. The woman asked me right away the very question I had wanted everyone to ask me, and I was so happy to finally found someone who knew what really mattered, and took me seriously, and most of all had the time to listen. And who took a genuine interest in my problems, and had the education to give me constructive advice and know-how on how to change my situation. It was work I had to do myself, but she opened my eyes to what I could do. She helped me clarify my thoughts, and put words on my thoughts. She helped me place myself somewhere so that I knew where I was on the map, sort of.
She was a bit on the crazy side, but so am I, so it was all great fun. She thought I had been reborn from Egypt and had telepathic abilities, among some things.
I saw her for about a year or so. Then I felt better. I entered a relationship at the end of the year which gave me extra energy too.
Then about 5 years later I went to a therapist, not a psychologist. Now, therapist can't give you a diagnosis or help "treat" you like that. They can only listen, and give some feedback, but they don't go as deep into your inner life as a psychologist. My therapist was great though, it was so good to have someone to talk to, someone who knew all my secrets. Things I can't even tell a boyfriend of mine. I was looking forward to our meetings, and after having been there (and usually had a good cry) I felt relieved again. Like the sky had been cleared, my mind was free from troubles and I could focus on other things in my life, like my studies for example. Rather than spend all my time and energy on my problems.
Going to therapy was like putting screaming children into daycare for a few hours, and then they were all calm and happy when they returned, and we can all have a good nights sleep. Then if you learn the right techniques, or though pattern, you can help heal yourself.
As for me, I think therapy, or seeing a psychologist, isn't a one time fix. It's something that helps you when things get tough in life, someone who helps you get through. But things might get tough again, and when they do you might need someone to help you through again. Or maybe you will handle it alone for 20 years, and then need help again to pull through. I think I will definitely go see a therapist again, because I do deal with many difficult emotions and situations, and I found it much more beneficial to go see a therapist for about 6 months, than to struggle for 5 years on your own. Before I went to a psychologist I cried every day for 5 years. I haven't done that since. I just came to a point where I no longer needed to cry that much.
When I felt myself falling back into a period where I cried a lot, I talked to that therapist, and I cried to her about my problems. But that was it. I didn't need to cry again when I was out of her sessions. I didn't need to cry at home. And after those 5-6 months I no longer had that need to cry, I had gotten through.
This was a very long post, but I wanted to give you a good insight into how therapy can be. I highly recommend it to everyone. You don't have to be crazy or suicidal to seek therapy. Therapy is for ordinary folks too, who go through a rough time and need help in getting through it.
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A
female
reader, R1  +, writes (21 April 2013):
 A psychiatrist normally monitors your medication, they will talk to you as well but as they are doctors they are paid a lot more so you don't get much of their time. A counsellor is much like you would expect - talking therapy, you can work through issues but you won't be prescribed medication.
I would suggest that unless you feel you are mentally ill (severe depression, bi polar etc) see a counsellor instead of a psychiatrist.
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A
female
reader, Euphoric29  +, writes (21 April 2013):
Dear OP,
I've been in psychotherapy for years (several depressive episodes) and had three psychotherapists in total.
What I can say is, that if you find a person you feel that you can trust, therapy can help you enormously! If you go to a therapist that doesn't understand you and that you don't trust, therapy won't help.
My first two therapies didn't really work out well. The first one was a psychiatrist who always forgot why I was here at all and who didn't really seem to be interested. The second one was a male therapist and that was already a bit difficult for me, I felt like I could tell him less than a female therapist. On top of that, he was a psychoanalyst and he could act very cold, and I didn't really get anywhere.
The third therapist I had was a woman not much older than me, a psychotherapist, and she was really cool. With her, I could work really well, I trusted her and I didn't feel like she judged me. I felt really understood and that helped me a lot.
Since over a year, I am officially therapy-free, healthy and non-depressed, which is great :)
What I want to say is: Yes. Yes it's really worth to go and see a therapist, but you need to feel confident with this person and feel like you might be able to tell them your most painful and embarrassing thoughts some time.
In the first session, you will usually just present your problem and you're going to be informed how a therapy would look like. So, it's not too much into details yet and most therapists also see it as a test-drive, to see if you both can work together.
Please, go ahead and look for help. Let us know if you found someone.
Good luck and I wish you a full and quick recovery!
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A
female
reader, janniepeg  +, writes (21 April 2013):
 A psychologist is more empathetic. A psychiatrist's interest is to sell you medicine, adjust the dosage and give you a diagnosis. I had to go to a psychiatrist because of uncontrollable crying and depression. I found counselors in school to be very helpful. They would be able to tell if you need medical attention. Talk to your parents first. A psychiatrist's visit can be 100 an hour. If you have free counselling in school make good use of that.
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