1st appointment with psychiatrist - what to expect?

[Former-Member]

hello @Former-Member

vitamix perfect

you already have recipes even more perfect

I might suggest dilute them to begin with. You can use coconut water which is a great hydrator.

Yes another thing, keep up your fluids, drinking water or coconut water is the best.

Great to see you so motivated.

you are on the road to recovery, you have started the journey xxx

[outlander]

Good work @Former-Member 💓💓 proud of you

[Former-Member]

Thanks @Former-Member and @outlander
I got up at 8 to get my blood tests - 6 vials! Sooooo tired with this extra tablet so went back to bed at 9 and just woke up with the dog trying to get into bed with me (she's a 56kg Great Dane to put a picture in your head) Mum is now trying to get me up to take her out for a healthy lunch. I know it's a good idea because I need to get out. I just can't believe how hard everything is. Like finding motivation to shower and wash my hair is so hard. Gosh I sound like I different person to last night don't I? That's another thing that's hard. I never know how I'm going to wake up. Like is it going to be a bad day or an ok day. Although I must say the panic attacks seemed to have settled down and I'd rather wake up with this feeling of sadness and doom than waking up shivering and feeling like I can't breathe and my heart is going to burst through my chest. So I guess that's a positive. I feel really weird, heavy and tired and slow but with a weird false-happy tingly feeling on my skin. I don't know how to explain it other than false-happy.... chemical niceness? it's obviously the tablets so it's giving me a false sense of a nice feeling. But it's still overpowered by the heaviness, the fatigue, etc

[outlander]

@Former-Member

wow thats a lot taken out- hopefully itll tell you somtething though and might be treateable with a seaprate medication
lol your dogs keeping you company this morning- gosh is she going to get bigger than what she aready is or has she fully grown now?- is that her in your profile picture?
You should get out with your mum- it might be nice for you to get out and get into some fresh air and something other than kettle chips and crackers are a good idea too

depression affects many people that way, never knowing how your going to wake up or what the days going to bring. And also the lack of energy and motivation but keep doing things throughout the day otherwise you may shut down completely. Still do the things you would usually love doing- tak the dog for a walk, see your friends, go for a walk on the beach, colour in, artwork or anythign you like to do that gets you out of your head for a bit

yes I know that false-happiness too- another thing thats quite common among us- keep doing the things that mae you happy and do lots of self care as well

try and set yourself a small goal through the day- it might help you get a sense of accomplishement even if its something small and simple such as getting out of bed and getting dressed

give yourself something to look forward to each day- something you like or can collect or continue to do each day

[Former-Member]

@outlander she is 4 and fully grown (thank god cos she's huge). The dog in my profile pic is my boy dog, he's also 4 but way smaller. 28kg (so not exactly small!). Today we went for lunch but it was such an effort to even make conversation. I also made the call to HBF to start the new health cover. then I walked the dog (the boy) up the road and back. Now I feel like I've done enough for the day.

I have to go back to work tomorrow and I'm really not looking forward to it. I hate having to pretend everything is fine. It's just exhausting. I've just moved into the bedroom because I was sitting on the lounge between partner and mum and they are talking about me like as if I am not even there. It's so awkward. And mr Nooks said he met some clients today (a couple) and the girl said she had depression and so he told them about me and they've decided we'll all go out for dinner. Holy moly. I know he means well but seriously? Anyway. Just venting and being selfish really. I do feel for him because he is trying so hard to "fix" this. Apparently the girl had hypnotherapy which helped her so he got the number of the hypnotherapist from her.

I bought myself a notebook today to write down my thoughts and feelings because I need to do something. Then at least I can report back to the psychiatrist accurately next week seeing as I can't get into the hospital. I kind of like using the forum as a bit of a journal too. It's nice to be openly vulnerable in a forum of kind understanding people who are friends and strangers at the same time. Thank you to all of you @outlander @Former-Member @Shaz51 @utopia

[utopia]

@Former-Member. I use the forum as a journal sometimes. It's an honest account of how I feel- but where ppeople understand.
I'm sirry it was a tough day for you today - but you did manage to get out and di some things. See how you feel tomorrow morning. You may find you are alright or you might be too 'heavy' to go to work tomorrow. If so, a gp can get you a certificate.
Do you drive to work? If so, will you be safe to drive on these meds - at least initially?
Keep safe. Thinking of you.

[outlander]

wow she sounds pretty big- wow she must be pretty big if hes small compared to her casue he looks a large dog too @Former-Member

oh im glad you went out for lunch and had something other than kettle chips- even though conversation was an effort its still good you went

well done on making the call as well and going for a walk- im sure your dog and your bosy appreciated that even though it didnt feel like it

having to pretned everything is fine is extremeley hard- i do remeber though that you find going to work gives you a sense of self worth- which is important esp now and i can tell you your making a big difference to your patients

your partner sounds like hes trying his best to support you- maybe talking to someone who also has depression and jsut having a friend who gets it will also help you and might even help her too.

you can vent as much as you like on here- vent away it often helps

i use the forum as a journal sometimes too and i have no where private for a journal i often type it up on my computer

i find it does help

proud of you- your being very proactive with your health both physically and mentally

[Former-Member]

Hey @utopia yes I do drive to work but luckily tomorrow is my afternoon day so I won't have to be there until midday. That will give me a bit of time to wake up. I feel like if I don't get back to work soon I never will. I drove today and must say a felt a little spaced out. But now I'm wide awake so I'm hoping if I go to bed earlyish and get up earlyish then I'll be back on track with timing of meds and feel ok... I've been going to bed late and getting up late the last week that I've had off work. I add another medication on Friday evening so at least I have the weekend to ease into that and see how I feel. I really hope this adjustment is helpful. I really really really want a big glass of wine but I know I can't. My psych was mortified when I told him I'd been drinking. Apparently with the medication he put me on originally (a natural type one) it can cause seizures with alcohol so I am really really lucky that that didn't happen. He didn't tell me that though. But I guess I didn't tell him I was a drinker. Oh on the plus side mr nooks is supporting my giving up drinking by giving up smoking.

[utopia]

Well done @Former-Member and mrnooks. That's good support. If you feel a little too heavy to drive tomorrow - maybe mr nooks can drive you.
Your doing great. One day at a time.

[Former-Member]

Thank you @utopia and @outlander for your support and thoughtful words. Brings me comfort and guidance through this difficult time in my life