1st appointment with psychiatrist - what to expect?

[outlander]

thats ok @Former-Member dont stress over it

hugs to you

[Faith-and-Hope]

Try to just relax about it @Former-Member and see what happens ..... I think, like a panic attack, the more you stress about it the worse it is likely to get. That has happened to me before, but I didn't worry about it cos I know that that is like pulling he blind down on your visual recall.

My mum always said "if something is important to you, it will come back" when I forgot something that I wanted to say or ask about ..... and sure enough, before long I would remember it ......

If you can't let it be, then make an appointment to get it checked out and ease your mind that way.

💜

[outlander]

@Faith-and-Hope is amazing for advice isnt she @Former-Member

[Former-Member]

Sorry @Faith-and-Hope I forgot to thank you for your advice last night. You are right @outlander. I mentioned it to my partner and he said it happens to him all the time. He has add so and finds it super hard to concentrate so maybe that's why.

I took my dog around the lake today thinking it would be good for me but I felt no joy. I'm so sad today. I started a new tablet last night and my head is throbbing and I'm tired and low. I just can't see this going away without getting proper ongoing intensive therapy or something. I don't even have the concentration to read the books on anxiety and depression my mum bought me or watch the YouTube videos my psychiatrist asked me to watch. I feel like I just want to go to hospital for a break from this and to get some strength back. But I'm not suicidal or psychotic or anything. So I feel like the hospital is no place for me. Why do I have to wait until I've hit rock bottom and am suicidal to be able to get proper help? I can see that if I continue on like this I will most likely get to that point. Surely it's better to get the help now while I still have some will to live and the desire to keep my job and be successful rather than wait till I've lost everything and have to start right from rock bottom? I'm so confused. It makes no sense to me.

I have to wait 2 months for my private health to cover a hospital stay anyway so who knows, I'll probably be good and ready by then, jobless, broke, broken relationship, broken spirit

Sorry to be so negative. It's one of the really bad days today I guess. At least I can lay on the lounge away from the world

[outlander]

Good afternoon @Former-Member
it is quite common even for people who dont have MI to forget so dont be too hard on yourself.

You will get better, it takes a lot of time and learning to cope and any small or even tiny postitive step is a good one. No ones path is a straight line, we go up and down all the time and half the time we dont know where we are execept being ovetaken by depression or anxiety.

Im super glad your not suicidal and you can and will get better, easier said then done I know.
The hospital system is a hard MI system and is complicated.

Just remember when your feeling down your reasons to live and practice lots of self care, spend time with the people you love, and your pets and do the things that make you happy, even when you dont feel like it

we are here for you always, for whatever you need

big hugs to you, sitting beside you and helping you get through these feelings

[Faith-and-Hope]

Incoming hugs @Former-Member .... 🤗🤗🤗💕

[outlander]

How did you go at your gp @Former-Member
Thinking of you 💐❣💓💕🌸

[Former-Member]

Hey @outlander after an hour wait I went in and she read out all my results. So normal cortisol levels are around 180-490 and mine is 1363. I don't know what that means. Could be from elevated stress level, Cushings disease (doubtful because I don't have the physical symptoms of round face and weight gain etc) or adrenal gland tumor... may be from my contraceptive meds? Anyway I have to do a 24hour wee collection... I'm so frustrated cos I can't get in to my psychiatrist. He clearly said come back in a week. And told the receptionist. And then when he walked away she said "he's fully booked". So I rang them today cos I haven't heard of any cancellations and they said they can get me in in July!!! I asked if she could just tell him I'm trying to get in to see him as he said he needed to see me in a week after ordering all my bloods and changing all my meds and she said she would ask then call me back. And do you think she called me back?? Seriously if you become a medical receptionist you will be the only nice one I have ever known @outlander

[outlander]

alright sweetie your levels are quite high but dont stress too much- i have found this little bit of information about this- remebr im not an expert but this is from a reliable source but remeber to consult your gp

@Former-Member

Cortisol is a hormone that plays a role in the metabolism of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, among other functions

Heat, cold, infection, trauma, exercise, obesity, and debilitating disease can influence cortisol concentrations. Pregnancy, physical and emotional stress, and illness can increase cortisol levels. Cortisol levels may also increase as a result of hyperthyroidism or obesity. A number of drugs can also increase levels, particularly oral contraceptives (birth control pills), hydrocortisone (the synthetic form of cortisol), and spironolactone.

as you can see a heap of things can be affecting this level. you also have depression, anxiety and high stress so soemthing to bear in mind and not just jumping to worst case scenario. i know easier said than done ive done it many many times myself.

as there as so many possible cause and since your on contraceptives as well that could be it as well. the urine test will help determine more as well- annoying i know

the situation with your psychiatrist does sound very frustrating.  your gp can also send results to your psychiatrist to have a read and also ask for their opinion as well, next time you see your gp you could suggest that as well. they mainy want your results to check for your levels and thyroid and things like that as you can get other tablets to control those levels and the effects it has on your body and possibly reducing the severity of you depression as well. but if they are clear then he can still contiue on with the plans he  has for you.

i know receptionists get busy but they can call people back, it isnt really that hard. give them until your lunch break then ring reception back and just bump it up abit

lol ill take that as a compliment

big hugs to you and sitting with you, learnign about what you do where i can

[Former-Member]

It's a bloody miracle @outlander the receptionist called me and I can get in tomorrow morning!
Thank you for your advice, I googled everything last night! Heaven help me if I'm pregnant!! Ha ha