Should I try going to a psychiatrist?

[randomz]

So recently my anxiety and depression have worsened to the point that I am anxious and very afraid when doing anything even closely related to my work. I am constantly depressed and thinking about CTB, but on the other hand a part of me still believes that stuff can get better, and what I am now, is not what I can be, if that makes any sense.

My brain fog is also worsening and this affects my performace both at work and in my free time. I basically feel like a shell of a person. Stuff that used to bring me joy is now just not a source of anxiety, it doesn't improve my mood.

I can't focus on the moment, neither when I am working, nor when I am "having fun" - there is only this overwhelming sense of dread that I feel constantly. It's driving me crazy.

In the short periods of time when I am not anxious/depressed I am irritated and yell at people for no obvious reasons.

I went to psychology sessions in the past couple of months and it was useful - I learned some stuff about me that Ididn't know and generally had a good time, but alas, I am still "broken".

This is where the question in the thread comes - do you think it will be useful to go to a psychiatrist? It might sound like a stupid question - "of course you should go, you should try anything you can to help yourself" but doing that will have some consequences - first, my parents will have to know about that and I am already the "black sheep" of the family I don't want more stuff added to my name such as "diagnosed with mental illness". This partially comes from the fact that having mental problems is still viewed as a stigma in the country where I live (eastern Europe, welcome to the medievel times everybody). Second, as I work in the law sphere, having been diagnosed with mental illness can severely impact my growth in the career, if I ever decide on pursuing a law career.
So, what can I expect from going to a psychiatrist? Does it go like a visit to the GP in which there will be some tests ran on me and given a diagnose with medication or will it be something like a psychologist session with meds mixed in?

 

[Jean4]

A psychiatrist does not provide therapy and specifically gives medication. Many people don't realize that, and expect therapy.

If you would like therapy, you need to find a therapist/social worker/psychologist

Personally, my PCP prescribes my meds, and I don't go to therapy. No therapist is as good as I am for myself. Lol.

 

[randomz]

Thank you for answering. I decided to go as I think meds is what I need right now in order to cope with life.

 

[Jean4]

Thank you for answering. I decided to go as I think meds is what I need right now in order to cope with life.

I take meds. They help me. Couldn't be without them. Others took meds. Hated them. Yell do not take them.

My opinion. Meds are like a movie or food. What one person likes, another hates. Try it and judge for yourself. :)

 

[randomz]

I take meds. They help me. Couldn't be without them. Others took meds. Hated them. Yell do not take them.

My opinion. Meds are like a movie or food. What one person likes, another hates. Try it and judge for yourself. :)

Thank you for answering again. I do have one more question which I forgot to mention, though - how should I behave when talking with the psychatrist for the first time? I mean, would it be like with a psychologist in which I tell them not only how I feel, but also why I think I feel that way and also my personal background or should I only say stuff like "I am overwhelmingly anxious and afraid of everything, I have been depressed for the past couple of months and have pretty bad brain fog. Meds pls" ?

 

[Jean4]

Thank you for answering again. I do have one more question which I forgot to mention, though - how should I behave when talking with the psychatrist for the first time? I mean, would it be like with a psychologist in which I tell them not only how I feel, but also why I think I feel that way and also my personal background or should I only say stuff like "I am overwhelmingly anxious and afraid of everything, I have been depressed for the past couple of months and have pretty bad brain fog. Meds pls" ?

Look at it as a medical doctor, because a psychiatrist is a medical doctor. Tell him your symptoms. Like a doctor, he will diagnose and prescribe meds.

Like a doctor, he may ask questions to help better diagnose.

 

[randomz]

Look at it as a medical doctor, because a psychiatrist is a medical doctor. Tell him your symptoms. Like a doctor, he will diagnose and prescribe meds.

Like a doctor, he may ask questions to help better diagnose.

Thank you, that's what I wanted to hear.

 

[Jean4]

I don't know any medical issues you may have, but there is a slight chsncd

Thank you, that's what I wanted to hear.

I don't know about medical issues, but there is a slight chance he may order bloodwork. I have so many medical issues and had Bariatric Surgery, that I personally need bloodwork before I start any new meds.

 

[randomz]

I don't know any medical issues you may have, but there is a slight chsncd

I don't know about medical issues, but there is a slight chance he may order bloodwork. I have so many medical issues and had Bariatric Surgery, that I personally need bloodwork before I start any new meds.

I would actually be down for that as I have not examined myself prophylactically in years. I want to see if there is a problem with the chemistry in my body that's making my anxiety so bad. Hate giving blood though.

 

[Jean4]

I would actually be down for that as I have not examined myself prophylactically in years. I want to see if there is a problem with the chemistry in my body that's making my anxiety so bad. Hate giving blood though.

Then your best bet would go to your medical doctor and ask for a full exam. You would get a complete blood panel then.... and it just hurts for a second lol.

 

[randomz]

Then your best bet would go to your medical doctor and ask for a full exam. You would get a complete blood panel then.... and it just hurts for a second lol.

I have been thinking that, might try it one of these days. It's not about the pain, I can handle physical pain, I just hate needles :D

 

[Jean4]

I have been thinking that, might try it one of these days. It's not about the pain, I can handle physical pain, I just hate needles :D

Well.. I will also say needle or not... get your flu shot. ;)

 

[GoodPersonEffed]

From personal experience, I would recommend having them test your vitamin D level. Or you can research doses and try it, such as 10,000 IU daily to start, and titrating down after symptom improvement or when winter is over. The usual minimum is 2,000 IU daily. I had an extremely low level that caused brain fog, and the change was almost immediate when I was told by the psych practitioner to take just 2,000 IU a day. Most psych practitioners don't consider testing for it, in my experience seeing a psych is like seeing a psychologist and being prescribed meds for the symptoms. Usually no bloodwork unless it's for a prescribed medicine to check levels.

 

[k75]

So, what can I expect from going to a psychiatrist? Does it go like a visit to the GP in which there will be some tests ran on me and given a diagnose with medication or will it be something like a psychologist session with meds mixed in?

I'm not sure if things will be the same where you're from, but here's how it generally goes in the US. Psychiatrists usually only prescribe medicine.

They don't run tests, exactly, because there are no tests to diagnose mental illness like that. However, they might order you to have some blood work done so they can check a few things like vitamin D and thyroid hormone levels. Those two things are especially important because they can have a big impact on depression and even anxiety. I've heard that not all psychiatrists do this, but mine tests me regularly.

The visit is more like an interview. You will be asked how you're feeling and what your symptoms are. Some people complain that it's invasive and they don't want to talk to the doctor, but that's really the only way they'll know how to treat you. It's important that you're as honest as possible so that they can figure out the appropriate meds for you.