I need some advice - re: seeing a psychiatrist

Hey everyone. I need some advice because I don't know what to do. I know it will be hard for you all to answer because you don't know me, but I'm interested in hearing your general opinions..

Basically, I am recovering from a long-term illness which I have had for 4 years. Obviously, the illness has had humongous impacts on various parts of my life. The problem is, is that all the life changes I have experienced have (I guess, understandably) made me depressed. I've been feeling quite depressed on and off for quite a long time now. My parents don't know about the depression, but my friends do. My friends have told me that they don't know what to do anymore. They have said many times that they will listen to me whenever and for how ever long I want, but they don't feel that it will help. So after weeks of thinking, last night I emailed my specialist who I see regarding my illness.

He said that he can refer me to see a psychiatrist at the hospital where I go and this particular psychiatrist has had experience in dealing with people my age in my circumstances. The thing is, is that I don't want my parents to know. I've told my dr this, and he seems very understanding but he says it might be difficult keeping it from my parents.

I don't know what to do. On one hand I know I should tell my parents and that its really wrong to see a psychiatrist and not tell them, but on the other hand I really don't want to tell them and don't want to talk to them about it. But the hospital is in central London and I live on the outskirts so it is quite far and the travelling will make it harder to keep secrative. But I keep thinking that my parents would rather that I didn't tell them and get it sorted then keep it lingering and suffer.

I'm just fed up of feeling depressed all the time and I feel bad for putting my friends in such akward positions. I'm scared that the position they are in at the moment will result in me loosing them. I don't want to keep annoying them. I'm also hoping to start uni in september so I'd like to get this all sorted and start uni afresh.

I am also really really terrified of seeing a psychiatrist. I can't talk to my friends face to face so I don't know how the hell I will talk to a psychiatrist. But hey.... thats a different problem altogether. Lets sort out one step at a time!

Any advice would be really appreciated

Thanks so much

Anon/F/18/London

Reply 1

anjurdsg

i think you've got a problem that only a professional can sort out... like a psychiatrist...

i mean, come on... your friends couldnt figure it out in the past four years... which means you do need some serious help, dont you?

i've heard about this genetic disease where some people just become moody and depressed... i think it has something to do with blood cells or somewhat...

here's what you do: OPEN UP to the psychiatrist... if you dont wanna let your parents know, thats absolutely fine...(come to think of it, i have VERY VERY bad experiences telling my parents my problems... they usually get more freaked out than i do, and make the problem worse)...

you really gotta speak up to the psychiatrist... if you dont, THEY have their own ways of making you speak up... but you at least gotta try to get yourself over this thing ...

if it hadnt been that serious, i'd have said jus go out more with friends and keep your mind off routine, but this doesnt seem to apply here...

so good luck...

you'll be fine, dont worry

Reply 2

Dutchess of Doncaster

I have seen psychologists without my parents knowing.. could you not get a referral to somewhere nearer you to make it easier to just nip out for an hour or so?

I was worried about talking to a professional, being incredibly secretive and not being able to speak to family/friends face to face, but it was surprisingly easy.

It does sound like you might benefit from speaking to someone impartial who hasn't been through your illness with you etc. Don't expect any miracles though - the most productive part is the talking as you end up saying things you'd forgotten or had kept from yourself even! There are exercises and targets set which keep your mind orientated on recovery rather than basking in the depression.

Good luck
PM me if you want to talk