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Originally Posted by Hooner  I'm finally going to see a bonafide, real psychiatrist. I've been through the county (that was a nightmare and joke), nurse practioners and certified public health counselors. This time it's a M.D. Psychiatrist. |
Hello, Hooner. It's great that you're gonna see a real psychiatrist. That's a good decision. I've heard way too many horror stories about county public health. It may be less expensive in the beginning, but I think it often ends up costing more in the long run. I wouldn't jeopardize my health like that.
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I use drinking to cope with my anxiety and depression in turn making it worse.
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Heheheh... Well, that's pretty much my life story!
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However, as soon as I mention alcohol abuse to any professional it's as though they stop listening. Nope, that's the problem. So, this time, I'm not mentioning it. I feel kinda weird not telling the entire truth but I really do believe I need antidepressants and definitately something for anxiety (which they won't give me with a history of alcohol abuse).
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I, too, was worried about mentioning my alcoholism. However, the first thing I said to my psychiatrist after he asked, "What can I help you with today?" was, "I've had a drinking problem." My anxiety often causes me to say things that I don't intend to, or say things that are inappropriate, out-of-place, or just plain weird. Nevertheless, I thoroughly surprised myself when I began the conversation by saying that. It was my first visit ever with a psychiatrist and I didn't even have time to sit down on the couch yet!
I've known that I've been suffering from severe depression for many years and that it's what was behind the alcoholism all along. So, I had the same "theory" that you do. To make a long story short, the doc figured out that I am bipolar on the first visit. I think it was obvious to him. This was a surprise to me because I hadn't been very conscious of my anxiety. In fact, I wasn't expecting that diagnosis at all, thinking that I was just chronically depressed. At first, I thought he had to be wrong. After 6 months sober, I'm still learning to identify my anxious behavior, and am realizing that it is much more prevalent than I first thought.
So, I was honest with the doc about my alcoholism and it worked out, even though it didn't exactly work out like I expected. Now that you will be seeing a real psychiatrist, it will probably be to your advantage to be honest. I think a good one will find out anyway. They have a way of gaining specific information about you without asking direct questions. At least, that was my experience.
Anyway, I hope this has helped. It seems to me that you are getting to the bottom of it. Best wishes, and keep us posted on your progress...