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Author Topic: first counceling appointment tomorrow  (Read 1446 times)

sparrow

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first counceling appointment tomorrow
« on: October 29, 2012, 02:15:05 am »
Hi everyone, I could really use your prayers and positive energy for tomorrow. I've dealt with depression and anxiety my entire life, and while I've spoken briefly to doctors and counselors about it I've never actually gone in for an appointment and really try to deal with it. I have an appointment at noon tomorrow, and I'm terrified. I don't know what to expect. I'm just lying awake thinking "what if". What if she digs into my triggers, what if I have a panic attack, what if I chicken out again and don't show, what if I say all the wrong things? Whenever I try to talk about my depression it just sounds like the stupidest melodramatic bullshit, I never feel like I can get across how debilitating it really is. Both the depression and anxiety make it really difficult to concentrate and focus, so I might not even be able to speak semi-intelligently. I'm feeling really panicked, and I can kiss sleep goodbye for tonight.

Thank you for listening, and anything at all you could do would be great. Thank you so much.


Waldhexe

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Re: first counceling appointment tomorrow
« Reply #1 on: October 29, 2012, 04:03:42 am »
Quote from: sparrow;78585



*fingers crossed*

I'm sure you'll do fine! It's important to tell the counsellor what your problems are, but you don't have to describe everything in detail in the first session, he/she will just try to get an overview and a first feeling what your main problem is.

You don't have to prove anything by explaining how you got your problems or how those problem are difficult for you. If there's anything she/he isn't sure about how you mean it, she/he will ask.

If the counselor is good he/she'll let you control the conversation so you can decide when you're ready to talk about x and when about y...
 
You can also say that you're nervous and don't know how these counselling sessions are done.

Dracona

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Re: first counceling appointment tomorrow
« Reply #2 on: October 29, 2012, 05:28:28 am »
Quote from: sparrow;78585
I have an appointment at noon tomorrow, and I'm terrified. I don't know what to expect.


Hi Sparrow,

Speaking as a professional counsellor, I can let you know that the important thing tomorrow is just meeting with the counsellor and having a light chat. You would do well to let them know first up that you've never been to counselling before so what is involved? and they should be completely fine explaining everything to you. Keep asking questions until you feel calmer and have a better idea of the method that counsellor uses.

If you have a panic attack, they're trained to deal with it. If you talk a lot more than you expected to, that's fine too.

Don't worry about 'meaningless' reasons for depression. As a counsellor, we know that it can be caused by a LOT of different things, and some are simply unknown, but they can cause depression and anxiety in everyday life. You deserve counselling. The counsellor will NOT judge you or think you're silly. We know this is serious, and how debilitating it is.

Just do what you feel comfortable to do. Hugs

RandallS

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Re: first counceling appointment tomorrow
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2012, 08:12:26 am »
Quote from: sparrow;78585
Hi everyone, I could really use your prayers and positive energy for tomorrow. I've dealt with depression and anxiety my entire life, and while I've spoken briefly to doctors and counselors about it I've never actually gone in for an appointment and really try to deal with it. I have an appointment at noon tomorrow, and I'm terrified.

+++fingers crossed for you+++
Randall
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Annie Roonie

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Re: first counceling appointment tomorrow
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2012, 04:57:41 pm »
Quote from: sparrow;78585
..

Sending the peace.

Hey, you took action and made the appointment. Back pats to you for that.
« Last Edit: October 29, 2012, 04:58:02 pm by Annie Roonie »

Sage

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Re: first counceling appointment tomorrow
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2012, 05:07:57 pm »
Quote from: sparrow;78585


 
Hey, friend. I definitely know what you're going through. I was diagnosed with dysthymia (minor depression) almost two years ago and I was in therapy for most of those two years, while I had it for free at my college.

Everything you are thinking, feeling, and fearing is completely valid and normal - as normal as we can be when we're dealing with depression, anyway. Seriously, eat a cookie and give yourself a pat on the back for being brave and taking steps to take care of yourself. This is big stuff.

Pain - mental or emotional - is our body's way of telling us something is desperately wrong. No matter how valid or invalid you think the reasons are, if you are in pain, then you deserve whatever treatment it takes - talk therapy, meds, leaning on friends and family, whatever - to make you better. You deserve to be happy, healthy, and whole.

Danny
Maker, though the darkness comes upon me,
I shall embrace the light. I shall weather the storm.
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What you have created, no one can tear asunder.

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Rayne

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Re: first counceling appointment tomorrow
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2012, 06:43:06 pm »
Quote from: Annie Roonie;78666
Sending the peace.

Hey, you took action and made the appointment. Back pats to you for that.

 
Ditto this.

That's the hardest step I think....even after my own years of visiting the professional cranium adjustment specialists.
For All That I Am..For All That I See
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sparrow

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Re: first counceling appointment tomorrow
« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2012, 11:16:17 pm »
Quote from: Sage;78667
To all of you, thank you so much. I appreciate your support more than you know. I made it to the appointment and got through it. I seem to have recurrent major depression and panic disorder. I've always thought I had general anxiety disorder and social anxiety, so I'm feeling a little uncertain on that diagnoses. At this point I'm not sure how counseling could possibly make me feel any different, but I'm going to keep trying. Thank you all again for your kind words and efforts, I appreciate it so much I can't even tell you.


Annie Roonie

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Re: first counceling appointment tomorrow
« Reply #8 on: October 30, 2012, 10:38:36 pm »
Quote from: sparrow;78733
I made it to the appointment and got through it.

You go, Sparrow! Of course it is ongoing but making these first moves, IMO, is difficult and you did it. That rocks.
« Last Edit: October 30, 2012, 10:39:07 pm by Annie Roonie »

victoreia

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first counceling appointment tomorrow
« Reply #9 on: October 30, 2012, 11:43:56 pm »
Quote from: sparrow;78733
To all of you, thank you so much. I appreciate your support more than you know. I made it to the appointment and got through it. I seem to have recurrent major depression and panic disorder. I've always thought I had general anxiety disorder and social anxiety, so I'm feeling a little uncertain on that diagnoses. At this point I'm not sure how counseling could possibly make me feel any different, but I'm going to keep trying. Thank you all again for your kind words and efforts, I appreciate it so much I can't even tell you.

As a fellow depressive, trust me when I say that even just talking with an unbiased audience is helpful. It may not seem that way at first, but in the long run, it can help tremendously.

And, even if your first therapist doesn't seem to be a good fit for you, don't give up on getting help! If I'd been more pro-active about finding someone I felt comfortable with, I would most likely be much happier with myself now. (Instead, I did the "stiff upper lip" routine for twenty years...)
Do. Or do not. There is no try.  --Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back

We are star stuff. We are the universe, made manifest. --Ambassador Delenn, Babylon 5

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Laveth

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Re: first counceling appointment tomorrow
« Reply #10 on: October 31, 2012, 08:11:30 am »
Quote from: sparrow;78733
To all of you, thank you so much. I appreciate your support more than you know. I made it to the appointment and got through it. I seem to have recurrent major depression and panic disorder. I've always thought I had general anxiety disorder and social anxiety, so I'm feeling a little uncertain on that diagnoses. At this point I'm not sure how counseling could possibly make me feel any different, but I'm going to keep trying. Thank you all again for your kind words and efforts, I appreciate it so much I can't even tell you.

 

Word to the wise, labeling an uncomfortable presence can sometimes be useful in that it gives you an idea of what to look out for so you know where it stems from. But when it comes to mental issues, don't get so caught up on the diagnosis. Sometimes labeling yourself sometimes can do more harm from good when you stake your identity on it. :) Not saying you're doing that now, but some people associate their diagnoses with their personal identity and then they can never heal from it.

sparrow

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Re: first counceling appointment tomorrow
« Reply #11 on: October 31, 2012, 08:29:48 pm »
Quote from: Laveth;78922
Word to the wise, labeling an uncomfortable presence can sometimes be useful in that it gives you an idea of what to look out for so you know where it stems from. But when it comes to mental issues, don't get so caught up on the diagnosis. Sometimes labeling yourself sometimes can do more harm from good when you stake your identity on it. :) Not saying you're doing that now, but some people associate their diagnoses with their personal identity and then they can never heal from it.

 
Thank you for the advice, I'll keep that in mind. :)


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