Very Anxious - DDs 1st psych visit toda

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-13-2006
Very Anxious - DDs 1st psych visit toda
13
Fri, 06-01-2007 - 1:19am
I've had a very tough run w DD for the past few months. She's the DD that had sex w a random guy and since that day has attempted to "run away" twice. Both times she got angry over a confontation with me and bolted away barefoot (once out of a car and once out of our front door). Both times she was returned by the police. Tuesday was the final straw, when I discovered that she was drinking vodka (alone) out by our pool. DH and I took her immediately to the ER for a drug and alcohol screen. She was posiive for alcohol - negative for other drugs. We where supposed to start counseling next week - but have changed our plan at the advice of our pediatrician. We are going to see a psychiatrist later today. I'm really nervous..... still in denial that this is happening to my family and my DD. I feel like a failure as a Mom.... although I know this is not about me it's hard to digest. I really have no purpose to this post... other than the fact that I can't sleep and I'm really scared and nervous for this visit. I so hate to medicate DD... which is probably what will happen. I hate for her to have the stigma of mental illness for the rest of her life. Plus... I'm feeling lots of anger towards her. I keep wondering why in the world she is behaving like this....I feel like with a little effort she could turn everything around.
Thanks for listening to my rant. Say a little prayer for my family later today... we really need it.

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-13-2006
Sat, 06-02-2007 - 2:01am
Thanks to all of you for your love and support! I can feel it! Today went well. DD was very angry about this appointment and initially was very defiant towards the doctor. The doc asked me and DH to leave the room and when we returned, I could see that DD had been sobbing... both by her red eyes and by the pile of used kleenex next to her. Doc said that his initial diagnoses is moderate depression but that DD does not want medicine right now and that the choice is hers. She is set up to see a counselor in the docs office next Tuesday. The doc said that he and the counselor would work together to determine the best treatment plan. In addition, DH and I are meeting with a different counselor next week. Whew... I feel like we went from zero to 80 in 10 seconds! I'm feeling more optimistic today... at least I am feeling hopeful. DD actually seems much more relaxed tonight than she has been in months. I'm feeling better that at least we have started taking some action. I guess that I expected the office today to be filled with cooky/nutty people - but actually the mix of people was completely normal. I was so fearful that I'd walk in to the office and know someone.... I know this must sound odd.... but I really was embarrassed that we needed this kind of help. I guess I have some issues of my own that I need to work through.
I'll keep all you posted. Thank you again for all your support!! It really means a lot. It is so much easier to discuss this in cyberspace than in person. I hope that I'll be able to work through this embarrassment... because I have a feeling that many people that I know are probably in this same situation. We all share feelings about pediatricians / ENTs/ etc.... but No one every discusses their great psychiatrist.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-1999
Sat, 06-02-2007 - 8:39am

I have a feeling that many people that I know are probably in this same situation.


You are so right... in my circle of friends, I can only think of one who has never been to a counselor or psychiatrist - and she's the least well-adjusted one of the bunch. However, most of us work in health care, and I think have let the stigma of mental health treatment go long ago... even in our inpatient treatment program, probably 80% of the people we see are not

Avatar for heartsandroses2002
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 06-02-2007 - 10:11am

Seeking care for mental health issues can be very embarrassing due to the traumatic stigma that has always been attached to it.

Think of your mental health care as you would dental care, diabetic care, allergy care, eye care, etc. You get the point.

I am an eye glass wearing asthmatic; I have allergies and I have slight OCD issues. My mom has diabetes and so does mil. We all have something that we deal with. I know it sounds easy to say, but really and truly the faster you accept seeing a psychiatrist-psychologist as just another way of receiving medical care for your [brain, heart, emotions, etc.) the easier it will be for all of you to open up and feel better.

My 17dd, back when she about 13, was having a crying fit one day and screamed out, "Why didn't you tell me I was retarded???" she was sooooo upset. I asked her why she thought that and it turned out that she thought seeing a psych meant she was retarded. It was an illuminating experience for me - I didn't realize that the stigma surrounding mental health care was still so strong and at such a young age. My exh's family was appalled when we sought counseling for dd years ago. Ironically, one of thier own went on to become a psychologist!! Their attitudes have changed dramatically.

One day at a time - there are SOOOOOO many people dealing with similar issues as you are with your dd. Hugs~

Pages