soberred

My appointment is at 8am this morning. I am a bit nervous. The office girl told me that we would spend at least two hours doing an assessment on me to figure out what kind of therapy I need and a plan for my meetings. That seems like an awful long time. I have never been to a psych doctor. Don't know what to expect. I have always thought I was strong enough to handle my emotional issues on my own. I probably won't see the doctor today but I am nervous non the less. Can any one give me their first time experience?

OCDDan

I vaugely remember filling out pages of questions about myself and use of alcohol/others.

Sapling

Just pray for calmness and honesty soberred....You'll be fine. Let us know how it goes....I wouldn't be surprised if you are relieved after it's done.

Dee74

I'm sure it will be ok soberred - it sounds like it's probably just standard tests that I've done and I assume everyone has to do.

Mine were mostly just multiple choice things and scales from 1 to 10...stuff like that

D

soberred

I woke up happy and hopeful this morning. This is a good thing for me for sure. I am off. Will update on my appointment. Thank you guys for your responses.

LoftyIdeals

Good luck! I've taken those assessments and have found them to be great fodder for considering your life, which is a good habit to develop.

soberred

Well I made it through. There was an incident there that almost made me leave. A woman was screaming at the top of her lungs to be seen and a young man that was way off the deep end that was baker acted and taken away to a mental facility right there in front of everyone. I told the woman doing the assessment that had my desire to get well not been so strong, I would have walked right out of the door. She asked me questions about my childhood. Asked me about my life now. Tears were streaming. I never spoke of these things with my closest friends let alone a perfect stranger. This was just a questionnaire to determine a basic diagnosis and set me up with whom ever I needed to see. She diagnosed depressive disorder, PTSD, and alcohol dependance. Will see a counselor for the mental health and substance abuse and an ARNP for a total psych eval and to determine what if any medication I may need. I am emotionally drained. Think I will take a nap now.

DisplacedGRITS

Congrats on taking that step soberred. I spent 5 days in lockdown in a psych ward while detoxing and saw some nutty stuff. It's hard but it's worth it to get the ball rolling.

Anna

Good for you for sticking with it and getting the assessment done.

freshstart57

Soberred, I got the same diagnoses. more or less. That was a little over a year ago. Once I took the alcohol out of the picture, things improved very quickly and very dramatically. I am sober now for almost 9 months, feeling very well and getting even better, if that's even possible.

I hope that things go as well for you.

england

I'm not sure if the initial assessment is different here in the UK compared to where you are from but I remember feeling so ashamed when completing the forms as it made me realise that my life was in a massive mess.

However I am glad that the assistance was there as the time I spent with the shrink really helped me move forward with my life.

soberred

The only shame I felt was crying in front of a stranger and waiting this long to get help.

Anna

Be proud of yourself for seeking help and there`s no shame in when you did it.

One of my favourite quotes: “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” ― Maya Angelou

Sapling

You did great soberred...I have a guy in my homegroup that tells a story how he cried like a baby his first AA meeting...Some older lady came up to him after the meeting and said...."It's OK to cry...You won't have to pee as much."

LoftyIdeals

Congrats for your strength soberred. You've taken a powerful new step in your life that I believe will catapult you to places beyond your imagination. Good places. Peace.

soberred

I love that. Funny.

Zencat

I remember trembling and sobbing with relief when I had been assessed with mental illness. After a life of drug addiction, confusion, shame and fearfulness about my disturbing behavior, the thought of there was hope for me was overwhelming.

wellwisher

The real shame would have been to do nothing about it.

So glad for you....

anew

Soberred, I've been through the assessment, as well. I'm glad that you are getting the help you need. I saw a LCSW/addictions counselor for a year and continue to see an addictionist/psychiatrist every 3 mos. I found the therapy to be a terrific help and still see that counselor every now and then to just talk things out when things get heavy. I can't say enough good things about it. I wish you the best!

anew

Love that!