Psychiatrists! *please read*

[piromspa]

I think you may take some meds to drive away the depression or anxiety

[Sharee1982]

I have Bi polar and Pcos taking metformin, valpro and risperidol . Bipolar meds make you overweight pcos makes it almost impossible to lose weight. I went to gyno as im ttc and he said lose weight .... Ill see you in 6 months !!!! I have a loving supportive bf who i live with , who sees what I eat and Knows that I dont deserve to be 135 kilos. I really dont whar a psychiatrist can do to help I dont need even more bipolar medication.... and my fridge consists of lean meat salad and youghurt. Some things in life are just not fair. Not happy with gynoclologist and think psychiatrists are just as nutty as the rest of us

[laceyh]

I like this thread. I took the depressions screening and it said "your answers show you might be at risk to hurt yourself". Wow! Sometimes I have thoughts but I don't think I could ever follow through with anything. I know I need counseling because over the past 2 years I have faced an enormous amount of stress and I have had a hard time dealing with it all. Also, PCOS and TTC don't make it better. I am having a rough time right now. I haven't been this way in a LONG time.
TTC is just getting the best of me. I trying to make an appt with a Therapist. I guess I will see how it goes.

[laceyh]

Well, I called my insurance company and they said that I am allowed 26 visits in 1 years at a $25 copay! That's good news for a change. So asked them for providers in my area and they asked me if I wanted to see a psychologist or a psychiatrist... i didn't know. I said a psychologist. I guess I don't need meds.. lol. So anyway, my appt is tomorrow at 4:30. The guy said is should run between 45-50 minutes.
I am nervous.. I just am afraid to be judged.

[scottishsweetie]

Well, I called my insurance company and they said that I am allowed 26 visits in 1 years at a $25 copay! That's good news for a change. So asked them for providers in my area and they asked me if I wanted to see a psychologist or a psychiatrist... i didn't know. I said a psychologist. I guess I don't need meds.. lol. So anyway, my appt is tomorrow at 4:30. The guy said is should run between 45-50 minutes.
I am nervous.. I just am afraid to be judged.

When my husband cheated on me and left me the first thing I did was find a psychologist to help me through it or I was going to die. I saw him for awhile until he no longer took my insurance. I also saw/still see a psychiatrist. I lucked out- I have the BEST psychiatrist in the world! She really listens to me and does not think twice about prescribing taboo drugs like xanax and valium. A lot of doctors refuse to prescribe anything addictive (especially for pain) but my doctor has the attitude that if I am having panic attacks and bouts of crippling anxiety, she will make sure I get the right med.

My advice is to see a psychologist first and then see if you need meds, then see a psychiatrist. It saved my life!

I was also afraid of being judged, especially by my friends and family who think that psych disorders are all in the head. it's just ignorance. I think that people seeking help from a professional is a lot more common these days, and a LOT more acceptable!!! Don't be scared. My sister didn't go for the longest time because of the stigma attached to a person seeing a therapist, and she thought I was being stupid for going and I should have been able to handle everything myself- until her pain of her own merciless broken heart was overwhelming. Now she is so much better and so VERY VERY happy she took that step!

[twoifbysea]

I have had depression to some degree for the last couple years which I tried to work though. In November things finally progressed to the stage that real action needed to be taken. I have been on sick leave since December and focusing on recovery. I have been seeing both a psychiatrist and psychologist (both wonderful) and am finally starting to feel like myself again. I am starting back at work next week and although a little nervous I feel like I am ready. I wouldn't have got to this stage without their help and the use of medication (wellbutrin 450mg/day).

Like scottishsweetie, I too get frustrated when I hear people say "It's all in your head". My response to that kind of thinking is to tell them "So is Parkinson's, Alzheimers, epilepsy.... are you going to tell those people they don't need meds or to just get over it?" Depression is a physical disease just like all the others, it is caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters in your brain. Life events, like prolonged saddness caused by loss or death of loved ones, job stress, other maladies can eventually deplete serotonin or other neurotransmittor stores over time causing depression. That is why a multi-pronged approach is so necessary for severe depression; it is a multi-pronged disease.

Now I have to go. I have an appointment with my psychiatrist.

[melon-ade]

I completely agree that a good Psychologist, or even just a therapist, can be such a blessing in dealing with this disease (depression/anxiety). I started seeing a therapist a few years ago when I was first diagnosed with PCOS and it helped immensely!

Some of my more difficult anxiety issues are coming back (probably with recent weight gain...) and I'm looking into seeing a Psychologist again. I have moved and had to find a new one, but I finally found the perfect doctor for me and I have my first appointment with her next week.

If anyone is looking for more info on treating PCOS-related depression, I wrote an article on it here:
http://womenshealth.suite101.com/art...and-depression

It also has info on therapists' rates per hour, how to find one, how to treat depression without a therapist (if you are unable to afford one, or otherwise...)

I'm also open to talking to anyone about it who may have questions. Feel free to message me anytime!