Appointment with Consultant Psychiatrist

LegacyUser

A few months ago I was in a midst of a very serious drinking problem.

I mean really bad, taken home by Gardai, intervention by family, friends walking away, spent some time in hospital bad.

At this point I asked my GP to make appointment with the HSE, I was in desperate straights.

Today, I am by no means 100%, but I'm doing a whole lot better, I've discovered I have a appointment arranged with a Consultant Psychiatrist, with the HSE.

I don't have to go, but I feel I should, I'm torn about attending.

I'm really worried that if I attend there will be some sort of note put on my record that I've seen a Psychiatrist, that if found out could affect me in later life. I'm not saying I'm planning on running for office, but lets say in a few years time if my wife and I were thinking of fostering children.

At the same time I know any recovery I have at present is fragile and don't want to reject any potential help.

Please advise.

Lux23

There will already be a record that you had a drink problem if you spent time in hospital and were brought home by the Guards. Surely, going to a Psychiatrist will only prove to anyone who may bring it up in future that you were willing to deal with your problems. Go and see the doc, what harm can it do?

Fluorescence

Any contact with the gardaí will probably be on your record anyway (or so I'd have thought). At least if you go through with the psychiatrist appointment, they can prepare some sort of letter that basically says you're of sound mind and your issues are now in the past?

LegacyUser

Thats what the rational side of brain is saying.

The irrational side of my brain is saying going to get help is what got me sectioned earlier in the year (sorry if I didn't make that clear), which is something I think exacerbated my problem

(can a mod please confirm that my IP will not be checked on this post?)

LegacyUser

fluorescence wrote: »

Any contact with the gardaí will probably be on your record anyway (or so I'd have thought). At least if you go through with the psychiatrist appointment, they can prepare some sort of letter that basically says you're of sound mind and your issues are now in the past?

The Gardai were actually surprisingly sympathetic, and understanding when I was upfront about my problem, I was given a caution, not even a fine, and told it would be expunged from my record within a year provided there were no further cautions or arrests.

calex71

Worried in Dublin wrote: »

A few months ago I was in a midst of a very serious drinking problem.

I mean really bad, taken home by Gardai, intervention by family, friends walking away, spent some time in hospital bad.

At this point I asked my GP to make appointment with the HSE, I was in desperate straights.

Today, I am by no means 100%, but I'm doing a whole lot better, I've discovered I have a appointment arranged with a Consultant Psychiatrist, with the HSE.

I don't have to go, but I feel I should, I'm torn about attending.

I'm really worried that if I attend there will be some sort of note put on my record that I've seen a Psychiatrist, that if found out could affect me in later life. I'm not saying I'm planning on running for office, but lets say in a few years time if my wife and I were thinking of fostering children.

At the same time I know any recovery I have at present is fragile and don't want to reject any potential help.

Please advise.

Theres the answer in bold OP !!!!! If you are not 100% or getting the help you need then worrying about it being found out later if pointless if you think about it.

It takes a stronger man to do something about his problems than to do nothing, and the consequences of doing nothing could be far worse.

Best of luck,

LegacyUser

calex71 wrote: »

Theres the answer in bold OP !!!!! If you are not 100% or getting the help you need then worrying about it being found out later if pointless if you think about it.

It takes a stronger man to do something about his problems than to do nothing, and the consequences of doing nothing could be far worse.

Best of luck,

What I'm worried about is the advise being bad or unhelpful.

For example he might suggest I attend AA. And make a note on my record that I declined his suggestion

No disrespect to fine work that AA does for many people, personally I found AA didn't work, and indeed with the benefit of hindsight actually hindered my personal recovery.

Yet many people see this as the only route for recovery, and I'm worried that if I tell him I don't want to go to AA that I'll seem unhelpful or unresponsive to his help.

Fluorescence

Worried in Dublin wrote: »

The Gardai were actually surprisingly sympathetic, and understanding when I was upfront about my problem, I was given a caution, not even a fine, and told it would be expunged from my record within a year provided there were no further cautions or arrests.

Fair enough.

Op, if you feel you need it, get the help. If you're worried about the psychiatrist having his own agenda, explain your past experiences with the AA and how it personally hindered you. Be as honest and descriptive as you can.

I wonder would it be possible for you to see some other consultant instead? Someone you can see in confidence without having a record? (I don't know much about different forms of counseling, so I'm inquiring about possibilities)

When it comes down to it though, you need to do what's right for you now. You won't be able to foster anyway until you're definitely in a stable place, so you may as well work on getting that sorted out as best you can for the time being.

Hope everything works out for you. Best of luck

LegacyUser

fluorescence wrote: »

Fair enough.

Op, if you feel you need it, get the help. If you're worried about the psychiatrist having his own agenda, explain your past experiences with the AA and how it personally hindered you. Be as honest and descriptive as you can.

I wonder would it be possible for you to see some other consultant instead? Someone you can see in confidence without having a record? (I don't know much about different forms of counseling, so I'm inquiring about possibilities)

It's not a counsellor it's a psychiatrist. I've had little luck with counsellors.

I'm also concerns that the psychiatrist can have me sections against my will. Can I go in there and get locked up if I do?

When it comes down to it though, you need to do what's right for you now. You won't be able to foster anyway until you're definitely in a stable place, so you may as well work on getting that sorted out as best you can for the time being.

Hope everything works out for you. Best of luck

Sorry I should explain, I'm not obsessed with the idea of fostering, I was just thinking about some of the ramifications of having this on my record and fostering was the 1st thing that came to mind.

Lux23

Worried in Dublin wrote: »

What I'm worried about is the advise being bad or unhelpful.

For example he might suggest I attend AA. And make a note on my record that I declined his suggestion

No disrespect to fine work that AA does for many people, personally I found AA didn't work, and indeed with the benefit of hindsight actually hindered my personal recovery.

Yet many people see this as the only route for recovery, and I'm worried that if I tell him I don't want to go to AA that I'll seem unhelpful or unresponsive to his help.

Would you go to an alternative alcohol support group like Lifeline. It doesn't do all that higher power rubbish that AA do.

LegacyUser

Lux23 wrote: »

Would you go to an alternative alcohol support group like Lifeline. It doesn't do all that higher power rubbish that AA do.

Thanks I actually use a alternative support group based on the website called mywayout.

But I have investigated lifeline.

Cheers Lux

calex71

Worried in Dublin wrote: »

What I'm worried about is the advise being bad or unhelpful.

For example he might suggest I attend AA. And make a note on my record that I declined his suggestion

No disrespect to fine work that AA does for many people, personally I found AA didn't work, and indeed with the benefit of hindsight actually hindered my personal recovery.

Yet many people see this as the only route for recovery, and I'm worried that if I tell him I don't want to go to AA that I'll seem unhelpful or unresponsive to his help.

This is exactly what you need to be telling them and look for more options, regardless of the route you need to find what works for you, and being frank and honest with these guys is the ONLY way to go. No use sitting there and telling the person what you you think they want to hear is there

LegacyUser

OP, I worry not about the alcohol addiction, but about your preoccupation with keeping it secret, from your IP address with the mods here, to the foster-carer people.....
Like all secrets, these things have a way of coming out in the end. You'd be as well off to be upfront, take whatever help is available, if necessary agree to disagree on the AA front but have a "backup" mode of recovery, one recognised by the experts, not cherry-picked by you alone.
Your priority at the moment should be on your short& longterm recovery from alcoholism, not planning your future by ducking and diving from your past.

Miaireland

If your GP knows about it then there is a record kept and it will be mentioned when you look at fostering.The GP will have no choice in this matter .Indeed you yourself would have to declare this. This is not something that you will be able to hide.

in the long run it will look better if you keep the appointmemt rather than not going. The Consultant will discuss all your choices and you can always explain to him if you are not happy with them and why.

By going to this appointment you are showing you are making progess and moving on.

LegacyUser

So there I was in the door not 15 minutes when i was diagnosed as "biologically depressed" given a script for Fluoxetine, and sent out the door with orders to attend group therapy for a month at the community alcohol service for a month, and they'll move on from there.

This is in Tallaght Wednesday mid morning, and any further therapy is based on me going there.

Despite my insistence that I didn't want to go to anything to do with AA, and their assurance that "oh no it's nothing to do with AA" When I get home I discover that it is connected to the AA.

Oh and Fluoxetine is basically in fact prosac, they want me on it for at least 6 months. It's physically addictive, has withdrawls if you stop using it. Oh and it's side effects include decreased libido, and the the inability to have a orgasm, oh and they can last for months after you stop taking the stuff.

So if I tell them stuff the AA, I don't get the legitimate therapy I need. If I tell them stuff the Prosac, I'm uncooperative.

So yeah just about the worse outcome possible.

calex71

OP I cant go into medical advice here but for the love of god get a new who ever prescribed that

LegacyUser

calex71 wrote: »

OP I cant go into medical advice here but for the love of god get a new who ever prescribed that

Thats the HSE, so either I take this ****, and spend the next month building a physical addiction to a drug I don't want (they up my dose) and going to a AA based therapy group (something I strenuously stressed I did not want, because I genuinely feel my recovery only really started once I jacked in AA) which means once week in a room with people who are most likely still drinking.

Because it's the HSE either I go private which I can't afford, or continue with HSE, (if I complain, then this escalates, (which is why I didn't want to make waves in the first place and becomes a much more serious matter. )

Until I go to the therapy at the AA place I don't get access to the therapy I genuinely need, thats being held to ransom, on the proviso that I attend therapy at this other HSE place.

I shouldn't have gone, I've made matters much worse.

One of the reasons I wanted to go is due to chronic insomnia, due to stress. Well it's 2:25am and I'm wide awake...again.

LegacyUser

Furious in Dublin wrote: »

Oh and Fluoxetine is basically in fact prosac, they want me on it for at least 6 months. It's physically addictive, has withdrawls if you stop using it. Oh and it's side effects include decreased libido, and the the inability to have a orgasm, oh and they can last for months after you stop taking the stuff.

So if I tell them stuff the AA, I don't get the legitimate therapy I need. If I tell them stuff the Prosac, I'm uncooperative.

So yeah just about the worse outcome possible.

I'll avoid medical advice here, but prozac is probably one of the most perscribed anti d's for depression the reason is over the years it's one of them most succesful. but it's not the only one out there, if you're not happy with prozac, maybe go to your GP tell them the advice you have been given and voice your concerns.

All anti d's will have some side effects most people don't suffer with any or very mild ones.

Novella

Furious in Dublin wrote: »

Thats the HSE, so either I take this ****, and spend the next month building a physical addiction to a drug I don't want (they up my dose) and going to a AA based therapy group (something I strenuously stressed I did not want, because I genuinely feel my recovery only really started once I jacked in AA) which means once week in a room with people who are most likely still drinking.

Because it's the HSE either I go private which I can't afford, or continue with HSE, (if I complain, then this escalates, (which is why I didn't want to make waves in the first place and becomes a much more serious matter. )

Until I go to the therapy at the AA place I don't get access to the therapy I genuinely need, thats being held to ransom, on the proviso that I attend therapy at this other HSE place.

I shouldn't have gone, I've made matters much worse.

One of the reasons I wanted to go is due to chronic insomnia, due to stress. Well it's 2:25am and I'm wide awake...again.

Look, you should have brought up these worries you have about the medication with the doctor who prescribed it. I've taken many different kinds of anti-depressants over the last number of years and the majority of them state things like 'lack of libido' and 'difficulty reaching orgasm' etc., as side effects. I've never had any problems of this nature.

Also, you mentioned withdrawals. I've changed medications, stopped taking one completely when it didn't suit me and again, no major issue. It won't be a case of upping the dose over and over. The dose will only be upped if you and/or the doctor feel that you'd benefit from it.

It's so important that you express your concerns with your psychiatrist. There is no point sitting there unhappy while you are prescribed something you don't want and that worries you. Ask questions, say you're uncomfortable. You have to be open and honest to get the right treatment - the treatment that works for you.

You went because you're concerned about insomnia? Did you mention this? Did you stress how much of a problem it is for you? Go back to your GP and make him/her understand how badly it is affecting your life.

LegacyUser

Novella wrote: »

Look, you should have brought up these worries you have about the medication with the doctor who prescribed it. I've taken many different kinds of anti-depressants over the last number of years and the majority of them state things like 'lack of libido' and 'difficulty reaching orgasm' etc., as side effects. I've never had any problems of this nature.

Also, you mentioned withdrawals. I've changed medications, stopped taking one completely when it didn't suit me and again, no major issue. It won't be a case of upping the dose over and over. The dose will only be upped if you and/or the doctor feel that you'd benefit from it.

It's so important that you express your concerns with your psychiatrist. There is no point sitting there unhappy while you are prescribed something you don't want and that worries you. Ask questions, say you're uncomfortable. You have to be open and honest to get the right treatment - the treatment that works for you.

You went because you're concerned about insomnia? Did you mention this? Did you stress how much of a problem it is for you? Go back to your GP and make him/her understand how badly it is affecting your life.

I did all of the above. and I was still recommended I go to meeting with some connection to AA, and was prescribed prozac.

The Doctor who prescribed went at great lengths to give it it's brand name not the ingredient, and actually tried to correct me that "it's not prozac its' Fluoxetine" only stopping when I pointed out that the only ingredient of Fluoxetine is prozac.

To be honest your attitude is like that of the Doctors talking over me rather than to me.

I know my problem are deep, but frankly at the stage of insomnia I'm at (going on since Dec) the symptoms of depression are insomnia and vice verse. Giving me a drug that could increase my insomnia, while stopping the drugs that do provide the release that I do need (sleeping tablets and melatonin) is not going to destress me.

Do you really think a month of going to meeting with still drinking alcoholics, and taking a drug that gives me insomnia, is going to make me less stressed?

So I'll come back in, in a months time, tried stressed and on prozac and you really think they're going to lower my dosage?

The whole time I was in seeing the psychiatrist was at most 15 minutes, how on earth can they make the diagnosis of "biologically depressed" in that time period.

Ickle Magoo

Furious in Dublin,

There is nothing we can do about the medication you have been offered, we cannot make you an appointment with another psychiatrist nor overrule the professional advice/prescriptions you have been given with our own.

If you have any issue with the medical attentions you have received then you must take them up with the medical professional in question or ask for a second opinion.

As there is no advice regarding your treatment, medication, or change there of that can be offered without treading into the territory of playing internet doctors, I'm locking this thread.

I wish you all the best OP but the only person to speak to regarding your treatment & it's effectiveness is the medical professional who made the diagnosis and gave you the prescription - or an equally qualified colleague.