Psychiatrists?

[genocidal tendencies]

Strange topic, and even stranger place to post it I know but of all the internet forums I can think of you lot are probably in general the sanest.

Basically I'm wondering if anyone's ever been to see a psychiatrist? I'm thinking it might be a good idea, but I'm not insane or chronically depressed or anything so I don't need one as such. It's just that there are a few things about myself I'd like to explore and change, anyone know what I mean? Also, how in the name of all that is holy do you actually find these people? The only way I've ever heard of is being referred by a GP, and if at all possible I'd rather not have to stick pencils up my nose and pretend I'm blackadder...

[Searcher]

I've seen a psychiatrist, some psychologists, and everything in between.  I've also studied psychology and counselled many people over the years.

I strongly recommend against going to see one.  Most of the time you'll walk out more of a mess than you went in.  If you're truly unlucky you'll be given presciption drugs for one thing or another and come away more messed up than you can imagine.  

There's a quote from Crocodile Dundee on this topic that goes something like this:

SUE: He's seeing a psychiatrist.
MICK: What's that?
SUE: Well, it's a doctor he goes to, to talk about his problems.
MICK:  What for?  Doesn't he have any mates?

[Afghan Dave]

From what you've said if you feel you simply need to explore some history you do not need a psychiatrist and there are many more appropriate routes.

I don't want to pre-judge anything you might be going through or feeling so if you want to PM me or post again in the open forum with more detail I'll do my best to point you in the right direction in a totally non-judgemental way.

Here are some great links and resources for you to clarrify your thoughts and learn more.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/mental_health/

http://www.mind.org.uk/

http://www.sane.org.uk/

If these links seem like overkill then that's all good.

If you are simply looking for self improvement / transformation - I warn you there is a minefield of gurus and tools - be very careful who you choose to follow.

[38thBeatle]

A good friend of mine (an excellent guitarist) was truly messed up by what is known as "British justice" and after many years of sufferring, was referred to a  psychiatrist and ended up on medication which sent him off in a very bad direction. Fortunately, through the help and support  of a  bit of what is called alternative therapy,  mates and family, he quit the medication and slowly but surely got back to a place where life is not all bad. Based on his experience (not fair to judge them all I know), a psychiatrist is the very last place I'd go if I wanted to understand myself. As Dave says, be wary of who you check out. There are, for example, great hypnotherapists and very poor ones. There are tons of "self-help" books out there- the advantage is that they are cheap and you can put them down (or in the recycling) if they don't do it for you.

[hunter]

It's just that there are a few things about myself I'd like to explore and change, anyone know what I mean?

Think I know what you mean, but think about it - how much can someone help you with this who might not at all have outstanding experience or capabilities, but has just done certain studies that are designed to helping people who have lost their sanity.

The danger is indeed (as others said) that he is going to treat you like if you were incapable of fullfilling your social and professional duties without despair.

Probably reading some good books that can give you a kick in the right direction or starting to thoroughly plan the changes you are looking to achieve would help you more, if there are no mates with the necessary depth and experience to help you through it.

[Kilby]

Just to chip in (no change there then), I would agree with what has been said here. Having been treated (pretty unsuccessfully for depression) and my wife spending 5 weeks in the care of these 'professionals' I will give you these observations.

Firstly they adore medication, give them the a hint of a problem and they have their perscription stationary out.

Secondly they form an opinion and will continue to make things fit that inital poinion regardless of further evidence.

Unless you have to see one I would say avoid them like the plague as Searcher said they will often make things worse.

Personally my GP was of greater help to me than the psychatarist (a phamacologist my GP consulted with went ballistic when he saw the medication doses the psychaterist was perscribing me).

If you have to explore something there are several methods, your GP for example can give you a referral for 'cognative therapy' which allows you to 'explore' things which may be a source of worry or irritation to you.

An ex boss of mine found that Trancendental Meditation helped some of his issues.

Rob...

[FELINEGUITARS]

It does sound more likely that a counselling service is more likely to be useful - certainly iniatially.

A chance to arrange your thoughts about what has gone on in the past and understand it better.

Some people are very lucky and have a sensible and impartial friend or family member that they can turn to to talk things through.

Most people have need for something like this at some stage in the lives - it's like a "pit stop" for the mind. The fact that many never get a chance to do it is a shame in many ways

[hunter]

Most people have need for something like this at some stage in the lives - it's like a "pit stop" for the mind. The fact that many never get a chance to do it is a shame in many ways

I like the Pit Stop analogy...

[Muso]

Yo its hard to give advise unless u say whats wrong with you. Psychiatrists are for people who are mentally ill tho and I don't think you should go see one unless you see no alternatives.
My father is a psychologist so I have a fairly good idea about this kind of stuff.
I think everyone gets down at some point, you would have to be 100% ignorant to be happy all the time. You just gotta make the best of what you got, if somethings bad change it no matter whar u gotta do. One thing never to do is get heavily drunk or take drugs as this makes things worse trust me.
I have a very close friend who is really messed up hes had a bad life and pretty much a recluse, hes been on meds, come off them no joy. I tried to help him but nothing seems to work, sad thing to say but as my old man sais sometimes u just gotta let em get on with it, oh well ho hum.

[jt]

:D And i`m the other end of the spectrum.

I was really messed up for about 10 years & had got into a serious rut. No work, no descent housing, No future & no Prospects it was a very very bad place to be. I went to see my Gp he refered me immidiatly to a crisis team who inturn got me into see a Psychiatrist & to be fair it helped me get my head together big time. But i did need to see a psych. If you have a few issues to deal with then maybe a Psychotherapist might be more what your after. Your local authority will have lists of local psych`s that they recommend. Give `em a call

As for the drugs bit they use drugs to help stabilise people whilst trying to help them, Its not allways sucessfull. I personnaly decided not to take any of the drugs. But to be fair i didn`t need serious medication anyway

 :D  8)

[Kilby]

As for the drugs bit they use drugs to help stabilise people whilst trying to help them, Its not allways sucessfull. I personnaly decided not to take any of the drugs. But to be fair i didn`t need serious medication anyway

Unfortunitely they overdo the drugs side of things (it's cheaper and requires less effort). They perscribed my wife lagactyl (perscribed on price not effectiveness) and in 5 weeks hospitalisation she saw a doctor twice (30 minutes total).

It's not to devalue what they do for anybody who requires their services.

But once the 'professionals' decide on a diagnosis (often from case notes) you are stuck in that catagory and anything not agreeing with this diagnosis is usually twisted to fit or discarded.

Having several friends involved in the mental health world (in a professional capacity) and their biggest worry (apart from lack of funding) is the inability for consultants to reappraise an diagnosis (and any associated medication). Whhen it's something as deep as mental health it is an incredebably worrying attitude.

Still if it want for them and my GP I may not be here, but it still worries me.

Rob...

[maliciousteve]

I just looked at those links and i've realised that i've been suffering from work related stress. no shite! when you work the hours i do i surpose it's hard NOT to get stressed.

[deg0ey]

you lot are probably in general the sanest.

Are you sure? We have got Sambo after all :drink:

[Ratrod]

Some people try to 'find themselves' and go to Tibet or a South American Rainforest.

I'm never in Tibet, and I'm never in a rainforest so there's very little chance I'll find myself in one of those places.

[38thBeatle]

I went to find myself but I wasn't in.