Social Anxiety Support

lde22 · 10-31-2009, 01:31 AM

I have been depressed and anxious for the last 4 years. I'm also pretty sure I have had SAD for the last 8 years. I am thinking about going to the doctors for the first time but am nervous and embarrassed. I don't know what the doctor can do besides prescribe medication, do they also recommend you to a therapist or psychiatrist?

When I schedule an appointment what do I tell them? Do I just say I am depressed?

What was it like the first time you went to the doctors for SAD, depression or anxiety? What did they ask you and what did they do? Did they just prescribe you meds?

Also, should I even bother to go to my doctor, or should I try to find a therapist instead?

Dempsey · 10-31-2009, 06:55 AM

My GP gave me the number of a therapist after a short test and a discussion. I was so bloody fed up with my social anxiety that I wasn't embarrassed about being there. It was just like "yeah...this is how it is, I'm depressed and anxious as hell, give me what I need to fix it".

Unfortunately the therapist couldn't organize any days after the first visit, I was always too busy at work.

jer · 10-31-2009, 08:54 AM

you can tell the doc that this is the first time you are talking about it and consequently you are not a little unsure of yourself about expressing it.
doctors are very sympathetic to it.

once you get to a psychiatrist, then she/he will lead you. you dont have to be prepared for anything.

after a couple of visits you will be relaxed.

I have been to docs for 14 years. so I am totally cool when I see a doc.

lde22 · 11-01-2009, 12:03 AM

Thanks for the reply's, but what do I tell the person when I first call for an appointment? Do I just say that I want to be seen for depression and anxiety? They usually ask what symptoms I am having, what would I say for that?

Dempsey · 11-01-2009, 02:20 AM

Do the people at front desk usually ask why you want to see the doctor? I don't think they did for me. If they do just tell them depression and/or anxiety.

QuakerOats167 · 11-01-2009, 09:59 PM

Hey, I just did the same thing you're going through. I called the counseling center at school and over the phone they asked me a bunch of questions... first just logistical stuff like name, age, have you been to a therapist before, etc. and then more things like do you have thoughts of suicide, what are your symptoms, why made you decide to finally call, etc. It's really not bad answering those questions. Then they told me I have to fill out a bunch of paperwork, which I just did today. It was more questions about things like do you feel disinterested in things you used to like, blah blah blah.

My first appointment is next Monday... I'll let you know how it goes, and keep us filled in on how it goes for you too

lde22 · 11-05-2009, 02:01 AM

I still haven't called yet. I need to adjust my sleeping patterns so I can make an appointment. I am going to bed at 7am and waking up at 2:30pm then I have to leave for work at 3pm, so I don't have time to go in right now. I will call once I adjust my sleeping patters.

lde22 · 11-18-2009, 04:17 AM

Should I go to the doctors for medication or should I try to find a therapist or psychiatrist?

Olivia · 11-18-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lde22

Should I go to the doctors for medication or should I try to find a therapist or psychiatrist?

Your GP can recommend you to a psychiatrist and/or therapist if you want. A GP can handle the medication BUT a psychiatrist will have more experience since they deal w/ mental health exclusively and will have more knowledge of SAD than a GP. The GP can refer you to a therapist or you might want the psychiatrist to do it. If you want, you can bypass the GP altogether and find a psychiatrist. I first went to a GP (of sorts, it was a NP at my university's student health center), then she referred me to a therapist and a psychiatrist.

10-31-2009, 01:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
lde22 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Southern California Gender: Male Posts: 66	Thinking about seeing a doctor for depression and anxiety I have been depressed and anxious for the last 4 years. I'm also pretty sure I have had SAD for the last 8 years. I am thinking about going to the doctors for the first time but am nervous and embarrassed. I don't know what the doctor can do besides prescribe medication, do they also recommend you to a therapist or psychiatrist? When I schedule an appointment what do I tell them? Do I just say I am depressed? What was it like the first time you went to the doctors for SAD, depression or anxiety? What did they ask you and what did they do? Did they just prescribe you meds? Also, should I even bother to go to my doctor, or should I try to find a therapist instead?

10-31-2009, 06:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
Dempsey Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sydney Australia Gender: Male Age: 21 Posts: 631	My GP gave me the number of a therapist after a short test and a discussion. I was so bloody fed up with my social anxiety that I wasn't embarrassed about being there. It was just like "yeah...this is how it is, I'm depressed and anxious as hell, give me what I need to fix it". Unfortunately the therapist couldn't organize any days after the first visit, I was always too busy at work.

10-31-2009, 08:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
jer Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Texas Gender: Male Posts: 221	you can tell the doc that this is the first time you are talking about it and consequently you are not a little unsure of yourself about expressing it. doctors are very sympathetic to it. once you get to a psychiatrist, then she/he will lead you. you dont have to be prepared for anything. after a couple of visits you will be relaxed. I have been to docs for 14 years. so I am totally cool when I see a doc.

11-01-2009, 12:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
lde22 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Southern California Gender: Male Posts: 66	Thanks for the reply's, but what do I tell the person when I first call for an appointment? Do I just say that I want to be seen for depression and anxiety? They usually ask what symptoms I am having, what would I say for that?

11-01-2009, 02:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
Dempsey Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sydney Australia Gender: Male Age: 21 Posts: 631	Do the people at front desk usually ask why you want to see the doctor? I don't think they did for me. If they do just tell them depression and/or anxiety.

11-01-2009, 09:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
QuakerOats167 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 76	Hey, I just did the same thing you're going through. I called the counseling center at school and over the phone they asked me a bunch of questions... first just logistical stuff like name, age, have you been to a therapist before, etc. and then more things like do you have thoughts of suicide, what are your symptoms, why made you decide to finally call, etc. It's really not bad answering those questions. Then they told me I have to fill out a bunch of paperwork, which I just did today. It was more questions about things like do you feel disinterested in things you used to like, blah blah blah. My first appointment is next Monday... I'll let you know how it goes, and keep us filled in on how it goes for you too

11-05-2009, 02:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
lde22 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Southern California Gender: Male Posts: 66	I still haven't called yet. I need to adjust my sleeping patterns so I can make an appointment. I am going to bed at 7am and waking up at 2:30pm then I have to leave for work at 3pm, so I don't have time to go in right now. I will call once I adjust my sleeping patters.

11-18-2009, 04:17 AM	#8 (permalink)
lde22 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Southern California Gender: Male Posts: 66	Should I go to the doctors for medication or should I try to find a therapist or psychiatrist?