1st appointment with psychiatrist - what to expect?

[outlander]

Lol they only took 3 tubes of mine @Former-Member

So proud of you!!!!

[utopia]

@Former-Member. Yes, see if you can swap over insurance policies before you go to hospital. Otherwise it becomes so much harder. Even if I had the money for private health insurance - they wouldn't cover me for psych, anything, auto immune, or anthing nerve related - eg: MS -Fibro myalgia etc, or anything smoking, alcohol related. All due to my history and my mum and family history. Don't really know what if anything they would cover me for. Lol. Maybe just the privilege of having the insurance. Lol.
So see if you can get a change in insurer without any waiting time - before you go to hospital. If you are struggling with this - see if a friend can help you make the call.
So glad your psychiatrist could see right away that you are struggling. As sometimes our negative self talk tells us, we aren't that sick, when we are.
The meds may take a few weeks before their full effect is noticed. But hopefully you will be in hospital then.
In the meantime, keep a journal of how you are going throughout each day. You can even write it here on the forum. Or keep it private at home.
If you have a diagnosis - show your husband some of the SANE Forum brochures on that condition. If you know which hospital or hospitals - not sure if your psych has given you a choice - have a look at those websites with your husband. And tell him you need him to not refer to them as 'the nut house' or the 'lunatic asylum' - as it's not helpful. It's hurtful. And it's the opposite of what these private clinics are like.
I wonder if you shared a room - what the out of pocket would be. No, better to change to a new insurance company that offers better cover for psych services.
All sounds quite promising.
What did you think of the psychiatrist?

[Former-Member]

hello @Former-Member

You got through it! excellent

if you can't remember what to say write it down and read it out - say i am tired so i will just read this to you.

good advice about the private insurance hope it gets sorted for you.

Oh he sounds very good. How do you feel talking to him? That is what is most important.

zinc and copper tests are theories out there as in lacking enough can cause symptoms of mental illness

[Former-Member]

@outlander @Former-Member @utopia thanks for your support and for listening. My psychiatrist is very good, I'm very lucky I feel like I can trust him. I know that people more often than not have to try a few before being able to form a connection. So I spoke to the lady from the hospital and apparently it's actually $1000 a night with my insurance policy!!!! I can't beleive that. Seriously they must have 8000 thread Egyptian cotton sheets and a top bloody chef to charge that! So if I change to HBF then I have to wait for 2 months before I can go. I can go to morning group therapy sessions as soon as my policy is switched over, one a week, about coping the the stress of mental illness. Hopefully with the change in medications I will see improvement while I'm waiting... I spoke with my partner who came home early. He wasn't pleased I have to take more tablets (although I'm surprised as he has ADD and takes 10 tablets a day) but we had a good long talk about the hospital option for the future and he was somewhat understanding. He broke down in tears and admitted he is scared because he doesn't know what to do, he doesn't know how to do more for me. I reassured him that he is being an angel and is doing everything any loving partner can, but I need professional help to get through this. I also explained that tablets aren't going to fix things and going to the group therapy and possibly a hospital stay will help to teach me coping strategies and ways in how to live with this illness and live a good life. I just feel for him so much because he's hurting so much because of this. I don't know how to comfort him. He said he doesn't want to talk to a counsellor.

[outlander]

@Former-Member we are always here for you

Wow thats expensive but the day programs will help you too

Your hubby really cares about you. He will be ok though. Its great hes showed his emotions to you. He really does care for you.
Hes just as lost as you by the sounds of it. As you learn he will learn how to cope as well.
Hes not hurting because of your mi hes scared and as males they think they are thr providers and hes worried about you. But hes obviously really supportive of you which is awesome

Big hugs to you. Wel done of gaving that convo. Noe both of you csn grow together and learn as well

[utopia]

@Former-Member. Some private hospitals charge a lot more than a thousand a night & you don't get Egyptian cotton sheets. Far from it.
Workcover paid about $690 a night for my shared room. I know. Pricey.
So wonderful to hear your partner opened up about his fears to you. When someone we love is in pain, we want to fix them, we want to help. But our loved ones aren't experts in mental health.
But his heart is in the right place. And now the roles are reversed and you are wanting to help him. You sound like a very loving couple.
People I've met in hospital who do day groups - say they have found it really helpful. And your change / increase in meds might tide you over until you can get in to hospital under your insurance policy.
Wonder what they will charge for a shared room under that policy.
How do you feel about waiting two months? Please get a message to your psychiatrist tomorrow, to let him know that you will have a 2 month wait to claim on your insurance. So he's in the loop and can offer more regular appointments for you.

[Former-Member]

Hi @utopia I'm not sure if they have shared rooms? I am getting back to see the psychiatrist next week, he asked me to come back so he can see how the meds are going and talk about the hospital. Yes, Mr Nooks is a sweetheart and he is very loving, and I love him so much too. I am very lucky to have him by my side. I will ring HBF tomorrow, I got a quote online today so hopefully I can switch over ASAP and at least start going to the day therapy sessions once a week. Thanks again for your support. Will let you know how I get on xx

[utopia]

All the best @Former-Member

[Former-Member]

@Former-Member@utopia@outlander

wow you have achieved so much in one day.

your partner clearly realised that.

i think he sensed your strength . He had been frightened for you and did not know what to say as outlander said he felt safe to open up. Precious.

one thing to be mindful of is your diet. You mentioned earlier you were off your food. This has more than likely exacerbated your hormones, natural vitamins and minerals in your body. Also you have to eat healthily even more so when on medications.

you can build this up gradually. Have you got a juicer or vita miser? An easy way to eat the healthy stuff soups, juices.

you are doing well. Be proud xx

[Former-Member]

Thank you @Former-Member yes you are right, I realise if I want to get better I need to eat well. I have a vitamix so maybe I can come up with something new. I've just gone off all the things I usually have, which is pretty much everything healthy! Might have to google some new green smoothie recipes - I used to make one with spinach, cucumber, pineapple, banana, and mint leaves which was pretty good. Hmmm I could probably stomach that now that I'm thinking about it. I'll have to go shopping tomorrow. I'm definitely feeling more motivated and optimistic after the day I've had, so might just have found that bit of motivation to clean up my diet. Thank you for your kind words once again and for caring. Good night x