Any experience with psychologists?

[sincethen]

I finally want to get help for my anxiety and depression that's been going on my whole life. Sometimes it's not so bad, only because I do things or find ways/avoid things that could make me upset. I hide this so well from people, they wouldn't even know that the smallest things they comment on to me, I over analysis untill I'm overwhelmed by it. I just don't want to live that way anymore.

I was thinking about using antidepressants like SSRI's that help with anxiety too, I just worry about the effects it may have on me since I am a young adult...under 25, and the risk of suicide with adolescents. Either antidepressants or antiaxiety meds, in conjuction with a therapist in order for me to change my behavior so I don't have to reley heavily on the medication.

I guess my question is, what type of therapist have worked for you guys? Social Workers, Psychologists, Psychiatrists? Does anyone have experience with nervousness or a type of neurosis that they got help with?

Thanks for your help!  

[LeftCoastChick]

Talk therapy is partly behavioural therapy, my old shrink who was exceedingly good at it. He  would get me to touch on emotions about different things, then teach me how to talk to it, look at it from the outside, whether it's anger from abuse or my eating issues. We didn't really touch on the anxiety because I didn't think I had much, hindsight though, I had tons. When I pulled out my rational/intellectual side looking at these negative emotional ones, I slowly retrained my thinking regarding my abuse. It took quite a while, but I've done it. I didn't get diagnosed Bipolar though until this year. I didn't show the classic symptoms back then, I was just depressed all the time. Now that I know what's going on, I have to say meds have really, and I mean really helped level me out. I wish I had the right ones in University, I would have done much better!  Being in school, let alone having the anxiety and dep, is really tough.  

[sincethen]

Slattery,

Thank you for the input. I do agree that talk therapy first can feel you out better and then the meds can come in and help. Wow, and I guess this isn't just a one time thing, I'm kind of hoping for a one time fixes all deal, but that's not very realistic. I've been to a social worker type therapist eariler this year due to an emotionally and partially physically abusive relationship that I had a year ago. It helped me realize that the guy I was with had issues so I could stop blaming myself. I don't think he was the right therapist to help me with my anxiety issue though, I sort of want to start out fresh with someone else and that topic, because I think I need more behavioral therapy than talk therapy.

and LeftCoastChick,

What your talking about is something that I'm interested in, it's just taking the time and the money for all that you know? My school schedule is heavily packed during the school year since that's when I have clinicals and they don't offer nursing courses in the summer. I'm thinking that the few months I do have in the summer will have to be sufficient and then there's always the issue with using the parents insurance, (they think this is unnecessary) back to the meds though, I've become more and more comfortable with the idea ever since I took my pharmacology class and I actually know what the action of the drugs are. Oh boy, I guess it's up to me now as to what I'm going to do next.

Your help is appreciated and good luck to both of you with your anxiety and depression, I understand what a roller coaster it can be, being pushed to both extremes is not a pleasant feeling.

[LeftCoastChick]

Well CBT can work for many things, especially negative thought patterns, which happens in most of the mood disoders which include depression, anxiety disorders and bipolar.  It's intentional retraining your brain to react differently then it did. So for example, you want to run an errand, but then your emotions kick in and you have a negative thought which  makes you anxious, then your anxiety blocks you from going out because you'll get anxious.  So before you are in an anxious situation you already think its going to be negative.  Say that 10 times fast.  So CBT will challenge your thought patterns then to relearn how emotionally think, most folks battle between rational and emotional thought, myself included. I have thought of, what will happen in a social situation, in the past it's gotten to the point where I've rationalized why I didn't do certain things, like social events, they were excrutiatingly painful because I would have constant negative thoughts in the situation.

It's not an easy thing, especially battling mood disorders such as depression with anxiety, the two together can be quite harsh, meds will help to lift the depression, so you can focus more on the anxiety.. Long term depression is generally a chemical imbalance, with meds and talk therapy can certainly help, and I hate to say, you'll  save yourself a lot of money from hopping from one therapist to another if you tackle the chemical imbalance.

[slattery]

I see that I'm in the minority but I recommend seeing a therapist first; Just a personal preference. I see a psychiatrist occasionally to get a meds check but I'd rather start therapy talking with the problems right there, upfront. I think I've seen maybe 10 different therapists on and off over the past 40 years. I'm 61 now. (I guess I can't claim great success). We had a lot of sickness in my family when I was young and that led to trust "issues" but nevertheless, therapy has helped me a great deal. I graduated college, went on to earn a graduate degree, marriage, good job, 3 kids, everything. Anyway, more to your point, I have always been anxious in social settings. May not sound so bad but it can be very isolating and debilitating. I have seen 1 female therapist, a LCSW and she was great. The others were all psychologists. btw, at 25 I never thought I would be "normal", and had many problems.  

Finally, my personal experience gives me confidence that you too can learn to overcome much of your anxiety and manage your problems successfully. Good luck!

[sincethen]

Thanks for the comment LeftCoastChick! :) It did help. Do you mind me asking what your cognitive behavioral therapy was for? Depression, anxiety in certain situations? What did they have you do? Because I have heard of group therapy for anxiety, do you know what kind of places to call for that? Because I'm sure that's not something just any therapist does. Please let me know! And congrats on your progress that's so good to hear! :)

[LeftCoastChick]

I have to agree with both posters, it's important you have therapy and meds on board. My personal opinion is get a psychiatrist first, then a therapist, until you are more stable on the meds, it's going to be difficult to focus on the issues at hand. Most mood disorders are bio-chemical in nature, but retraining your own behaviour through CBT(as an example)  is a great thing to manage your own negative thoughts. It's not easy, but if you work at it day by day, you'll be amazed at how far you've gone. I just finished going through a CBT based therapy group, and I was told in my last group session how far I had gone within 6 months. It was nice that my progress was noticed and that I realized that as well. :)

I hope this helps,
LCC

[sincethen]

Thanks, both of you. I will look into a psychiatrist maybe, because I honestly think I would benifit from medication. The reason I worry about the meds is because I'm actually taking a class on meds for my degree in nursing. Remembering back to the class, sometimes the medication can have a reverse affect and can make you even more depressed hence causing the suicidal thought, this is based on how the individual responds. I do understand that everyone is different, I'm only apprehensive since my age group is at risk for this.

I'm glad you mentioned cognitive behavior ILADVOCATE, I'm definately not an addict, but I honestly need to work on reversing my fears that leads to much of my anxiety and depression. I would really like someone to talk me out of behaving and thinking so irrationally about the littlest things. It's honestly coming to the point where I actively TRY NOT to get too close to people for fear of saying something stupid or the fact that they may not like me. I'm thinking it's coming down to a social anxiety disorder. It's making me feel bad about myself and makes me think that no one likes me when in fact I know that it's irrational to think that way. It may just be a self esteem issue, but It's no way to live if I want a happy life, that's for sure. Thank you both for your help!

[teko]

Psychologists are good for therepy, talking, venting, getting other ways of handling stress. Psychiatrists are the most educated in the meds and if or what kind you need to take. If you get them and start having these thoughts, it is the wrong med for you. Educate yourself on side effects. Ask the doctor what kind of help he would recommend for your particular problem. No two people nor their problems can be treated identically and no two meds are right either. I tried lexipro, it was horrible, yet my sister loves it. I take paxil cause it costs 4.00 at walmart, and it works great for me. Prozac may be good for someone and not for you, etc. It is unique to everyone and done by trial and error sometimes, so if you have any side effects, consult your doctor immediately,

[ILADVOCATE]

Medication and talk therapy work together for almost all people, myself included. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be used in addition. Anti-depressents can be helpful and you shouldn't avoid taking them because of some potential side effects. The stories about suicides were overplayed but sometimes untreated depression does lead to suicide as well as abruptly discontinuing an anti-depressent against medical advice because symptoms return. Untreated depression is hard to cope with regardless. Best thing is to speak to a psychiatrist and they can coordinate with a talk therapist. A social worker or case manager can coordinate services as needed. If you want to know more about anti-depressents google "Depression Central" and inform yourself and then speak to a psychiatrist about available options.