1st mental health appointment ever on Monday! help.

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I am 31 and it has been a tough road. I have had problems ranging from daily panic attacks, to dropping out of college twice, and going through 30+ jobs due to severe social anxiety, to just being the wierd person, even when I am able to cope communicate on the job, I am wierd. I grew up in a family who does not go to shrinks (or any other doctor for that matter), so i was never taken for help as a young person, and I have had to get to some pretty low spots to get to the point where I was able to make my appointment.

I have my very first appointment on Monday at Pine Rest Mental Health Services. I'm not sure what to expect, or what to do or say. Will I be able to leave with some sort of prescription to help with my anxiety, or do I need to go back a few times to see if it is appropriate? Who will I even see on a first visit? will I have to go back for frequent sessions in the beginning? I am worried because of the 45 dollar copay per visit would be more than I can handle on a regular basis. From what I read about cost, an Asperger's screening is out of the question.

I have not told anyone accept my husband who called me some mean thing in Spanish that I did not understand and turned up the TV. He is a jerk. only told him because I wont be there to get the kids right after work and he had to know that. I don't feel comfortable telling my mom yet for some reason and I do not talk to anyone else.

I am really exited and hope that this will be a big help in my life. I am just not able to even think about the actual appointment without feeling nervous and bad.

What can I expect?

I'm excited for you. I am sorry about your husband and mom, but I hope you will feel comfortable sharing your news with us here on Wrong Planet.

I don't know what an "intake session" will be like for you....basic paperwork and general information gathering?

Remember, only a doctor can prescribe meds, so if you are seeing a psychologist, that's different.

Wish I knew what to tell you, but the last time I went to any mental-health professional, I was 10.

All I can say is good luck, and let us know what happens.

Relax, I only got officially diagnosed a year ago and it's been a blessing.

I have made some sense out of my life and am coming to understand myself better and how I do and don't fit in and sometimes why.

I am still a loser in a dingy room but I am starting to think of the course I plot from here.

Good Luck and Kia Kaha, peace j

Thanks
I do not really know who I am going to see, other than his name is Gary. I mentioned to the lady on the phone that i thought I might have Asperger's and she said she wanted to make sure she got me with the right person.
I guess I can wait for meds for a while longer if I have to, It has been 20 years of this whats a few more weeks. I have just had a lot of "stress attacks" lately and it is affecting my work.
I drove there yesterday so I would not get all lost and flustered on Monday. It helps for me to know where I am going.

I have probably missed the important day, but how did it go?

After 20 odd years of being in and out of the mental health system, there are a few things that can help you. Depending on the nature of the therapist(psychiatrist, psychologist, neuropsychiatrist and so on), there are certain things you can do to prepare yourself for future visits.

Take notes between visits so you do not feel anxious "being on the spot" in a session. It will help you remember what you want to talk about.

Psychiatrists often function on logic and medicine. A lot of them will speak purely about symptoms and pathology. They are the ones that can prescribe you medication. Also, a shrinks appointments are generally much shorter than a psychologists, so be prepared for when you go so you get the most out of your session. Feel free to argue their logic or reasoning, but have some constructive arguments to shoot back at them.

Do some research on the place that you are visiting for therapy. Often they will have short bio's on the therapists there and their speciality. They will also speak of their companies' ethos and general standard of practice.

If there is something that comes up in the future that you do not agree with or you would like a second opinion, request it. It is your right as the client to get a second opinion.

And finally, you are the customer. They work for you, not the other way round, and if they are a decent therapist, they will take the time to build trust and respect with you. Trust and respect between client and therapist is paramount to getting good therapeutic outcomes.

I wish you the best of luck.

Mics

Thanks Guys!
It all went well. I wasn't very nervous at all. I am scheduled to go back and talk about medications next time, but today I got the insurance bill in the mail and it turns out I am not covered for therapy at all until I meet the deductible...but that is a whole new thread.