Intro and questions

[tf921]

Hello everyone,

  Well I have been reading some of these posts today.  You seem like a nice and caring group.  I will try to put my story into words:

  Well I am 32 years old.  I have suffered from depression and anxiety pretty much since childhood.  However I had never been diagnosed.  About 5 years ago I finally made up my mind that I needed help and asked my Dr. about depression, she sent me to see a psychiatrist, however I was unable to 'open up at that time.  So that pretty much went like this, he prescribed (zoloft I think) I took it for only a lil while stopped, and stopped seeing him.  I am not sure why I desperately wanted help but wasnt ready at that time. 

  Fast fwd approx 3 years (so 2 years ago now) I broke down in my NP's office.  I just felt so sad and depressed.  She was very concerned.  Of course she set me up with a Nice Dr. who I saw for aprrox a month (once a week)  I found it easier this time to talk.  I was able to talk about my problems (sexual abuse as a child).  However my insurance at the time wouldnt cover any more visits to her.  She had prescribed prozac for me. 

  So now I have been taking prozac for the past 2 years.  It helps a lot with some things.  But lately I feel myself sliding further and further into depression.  I can't explain it.  I am married to a wonderful guy.  I have a beautiful 6 year old son.  We have a nice house so on and so on......but I feel so detached sometimes. 

  Ok so now I find myself thinking I need professional help.  I am pretty much 100% decided to seek it.  Here lies my problem.  I now am on a nice insurance plan but I don't have a Dr.  I still call my old Dr. (50 miles away) to fill my perscription.  I guess my questions is....Where do I start?  Do I start with a General Dr. and tell all this too, to be referred to a pychiatrist?  I honestly don't know what to do. 

  I admit part of me is worried that I won't feel comfortable with a Dr.  enough to share the info that I will need to, to get help.  I suffer social anxiety something fierce, It just seems like so much trouble.  Well I hope this letter explains a little.   What a great idea.  In an online forum there isn't any nervousness about talking to strangers.

Tricia

[apple]

I think you should start with a GP as they usually need to refer you.  If you are not comfortable, go back to your old doctor and explain that you have insurance and are ready for treatment.  Be sure to ask for someone who specifically deals with depression and anxiety.  When you see a psychiatrist they usually only deal with the medication side of things, you would then need to see a councellor or psychologist to really deal with your issues.    When you meet your therapist explain the social phobia and difficulty talking at the first visit...this way they can help you thru that.  Is there a "sexual assault center" where you live.  We have one here and its free.  I went there a couple different times over the years and finally am ok with what happened to me.

I am sorry you have suffered for so long, but it sounds like you are ready to nip this in the butt.  You have to be ready before treatment will work.  And we can be here for you along the way.  Sometimes its nice to talk to others who know for real how you feel since we suffer ourselves.

Apple