I am scheduled to get myself checked tomorrow at a mental health hub. Despite the other side of my family calling me crazy for opening up about my suicidality, my mother took me seriously and is coming with me tomorrow.
Now my dilemma is that I don't know what I'll say when I get there. I feel really anxious about it right now, and that anxiety is disabling me from writing down my concerns that i want to bring up, even though I know I should talk about my history of depression and anxiety, which I've had for a decade now (I'm only 20).
I don't know if I should mention the abandonment that triggers my passive suicidality to become active, especially since I'm the one who caused the abandonment by being draining and toxic. I genuinely think I have BPD or another personality disorder. I used to study psychology, but I had to stop schooling, so I know you shouldn't self-diagnose, especially with personality disorders but I am 100% sure I am borderline.
I don't know if I should mention this, because it sounds almost ridiculous that I turned out this way after an abandonment, even though I'm well aware that this was just my last straw. The state I'm in is the result of so much accumulated trauma and grief throughout my life. I don't know if I should bring up that I think I have bpd for a first consultation but it also feels like I'll have to hide half of the reason why I am this way.
Please help me. I'm starting to think I shouldn't have opened up about any of this, because I'm so consumed by anxiety and dread over having to talk about it. Sometimes I even feel like I'm faking it, but how can you fake something that is ruining you this much? I feel so stupid right now I'm still going to be suicidal even after getting help anyway. I am so tired but I want to give myself a chance, and ik it would bring me so much comfort to finally get diagnosed (but I can't see myself getting better still).
The anxiety and dread are such valid responses to meeting with mental health professionals for the first time.
All intakes are different but here's what my current therapist had on her intake form. Maybe it can help to look at what questions you might possibly get and have a couple answers ready on like a notes app or something. There's no right or wrong answer for why you're going and what you think you may have. Also to note, this form has way more questions than a usual intake form does, especially since I see my therapist virtually I had time to think about how to answer the questions. Most will probably go from Presenting Issue through maybe Work History.
Presenting Issue
What prompted you to come to seek treatment now? What are you hoping to work on? How would you prioritize the issues that you would like to work on?
If you have symptoms, how would you describe them and when did they first appear?
What are stressors in your life currently?
What do you think is important to know about you?
Mental Health History
What is your prior mental health history? Any prior treatment? If so, for what concerns and when and where were you treated?
Any prior diagnosis? Please explain
Prior hospitalizations for mental health? Please explain
What was the outcome of any prior treatment? Was it helpful to you? Why/ Why not?
Any current or prior thoughts of hurting yourself? Please explain
Any current or prior thoughts of hurting someone else? Please explain
Do any of your immediate family members have history of mental health issues? Please explain
What have been the major crises of the last 1–5 years, and how have you handled them?
Physical Health History
Do you have any current or previous health problems? Please explain
Do any of your immediate family members have history of health issues? If yes, which members and nature of
issue? Please explain
Are you currently taking any psychiatric or non-psychiatric medications? Please explain
Substance Use
Do you have any concern regarding use of substances?
If yes, explain.
Has anyone in your life expressed concern regarding use of substances?
Do you have any current or prior history of substance use?
If so, list substances used, any current use and frequency of use.
If prior substance use history, what is the longest period of sobriety? Triggers for relapse?
Community Supports used, if any? (e.g., NA, AA, county services)
Any family history of substance abuse? If so, please describe
Legal History
Do you have any past or current legal issues?
If yes, please describe.
Childhood History
What was peer group experience like? What were your connections like with family/friends?
How was your school experience? Highest grade completed?
Any past or present educational challenges?
Please explain:
Relevant Family History
Please list the members of your immediate family.
Please include name, relationship, age, and where they live, as well as anything relevant to your relationship with them.
Marital status
Do you have any children?
Any major family losses in the past? Please explain
Social History
Please describe the friendships and associates in your life.
Please describe any clubs, organizations, community connections you participate in.
Please describe your hobbies.
Please describe your religion, spirituality, or significant belief system.
Are there any cultural and ethnic considerations that would be helpful for me to know to best support you in therapy?
Work History
Are you currently employed? What is your job and how long have you been there?
Are you satisfied with the work you are doing? Please explain
How would you describe your work history (e.g., reasons for job changes?)
How would you describe your financial status (e.g., some stress, comfortable, etc.)?
Trauma History
Please describe any traumatic experiences that will be relevant to our work together.
Please note that filling out detailed information can be triggering and overwhelming. It is okay to note that you would rather talk about this at a later time/date and you are welcome to put details in here- please do what is best for you
Other Concerns
When are you happy? What are the positive factors in your life right now?
Positive factors in my life right now
What are your major strengths?
What changes do you hope therapy will lead to?
Are there any special interests that you have? What are some things that you are passionate about?
Is there anything we haven't talked about that is relevant or important, or that you feel I should know about?
My therapist had a lot more questions on the intake form but I think that above covers most of the like first session questions
Also, I just want to say you don't sound ridiculous! I apparently have CPTSD but like generally don't feel like I should because like most of my trauma has been little T trauma (which thankfully most therapists no longer categorize trauma as big T and little T) but I'm like it's stupid but its not. It affected me. And what happened to you affected you. We all react to things differently.
ALSO ALSO I just realized you're asking about a consultation. For that I'd focus on these
What brings you in right now?
What made you decide to seek therapy at this time?
What are the **top 1–3 things** you want help with?
What feels hardest lately?
Current symptoms or concerns (brief)
How would you describe what you're experiencing?
About how long has this been going on? (If unsure, that's okay.)
Current stressors
What are the main stressors in your life right now? (e.g., work, relationships, health, housing)
Prior mental health care (very brief)
Have you been in therapy before? If yes, what helped and what didn't?
Any current or past mental health diagnoses (if known)?
Medications & health basics
Are you currently taking any psychiatric or other medications?
Any major health conditions that affect your day-to-day functioning?
Safety check (required)
Have you ever had thoughts of hurting yourself? Yes No
If yes, are these thoughts current or in the past?
Have you ever had thoughts of hurting someone else? Yes No
Supports
Who or what supports you right now? (people, routines, community, pets, etc.)
Goals (loose)
What would you hope might be different after some time in therapy?
Anything else you want the therapist to know right now?
This can include boundaries, preferences, or anything you feel is important.
