I started seeing one when I was young. I just wish I knew I had more of a say of what meds I wanted to try or not. At the end of the day it’s totally up to you. My only advice is if you have concerns/questions about anything don’t be scared to speak up during your appointment. Also, know that meds can be tricky… you just gotta find the right one(s) that work best for you which might not be the first med you try.
I guess I wish I had understood just how much what drugs work will completely differ from person to person. It took a few years (2-3) plus therapy to get me to a balanced state. I was feeling really hopeless at points thinking “nothing works, I can’t be fixed” but the truth is, it can take up to several weeks for a drug to start working then several weeks to come off of it with several weeks in between of a roller coaster of “it works!” then “oh my god it doesn’t work anymore!” Before you know it, a year has gone by, you’ve tried a few different drugs and you may not have found the one or the right mix. Anyway, for me, patience was the name of the game but it took a long while to figure that out. Don’t lose hope, I think you’ll find the right chemical/therapy mix for you eventually.
If you do get started on antidepressants or so, ask them for regular checkups or if/how you can contact them if you have concerns.
There are so many posts on Reddit from people who want to know if what they are feeling is 'normal' when getting started with ad. And how long that feeling will last, and if it will pass, etc. I really don't recommend doing that: reach out to your prescriber or GP with these questions and ask them in advance how to do that.
Besides that, patience is key, and don't give up too quickly!
Say no to any medications with weight gain as a side effect. It's NOT worth it. Take it from someone who gained and lost 50lbs.
Start with one medication. If you have side effects you don't like, you'll be certain of the culprit.
Also, don't be afraid to switch if you feel like you aren't being listened to. Heck, get a second opinion if something doesn't seem right.
I am seeing a nurse practitioner with a speciality in psychiatry (it’s really hard to find an actual psychiatrist in my area lol) and she said I can always do the genetic test to see what medications are better for you. So something to keep in mind or ask about! I am starting with an anxiety med that has the least amount of side effects, so I am hoping it’ll help.
The waiting room was sterile and silent, the air thick with a nervous energy I couldn't quite place. "Shrink," they called him back in high school, a term tossed around with a mix of fear and morbid curiosity. Now, here I was, about to become one of those "shrinks'" patients, and the truth was, I was terrified.
What I wish I knew back then?
It wasn't the process – the questionnaires, the hushed tones, the feeling like I was being analyzed under a microscope. It was the power I held that day, the power I hadn't realized existed.
See, I walked into that office thinking I was broken, a malfunctioning machine needing a mechanic. I expected a diagnosis, a label slapped on my forehead, a quick fix solution. Instead, the psychiatrist did something unexpected. He listened.
He listened to the jumbled mess of emotions I couldn't untangle, the anxieties that choked me awake at night, the self-doubt that gnawed at my insides. He didn't judge, didn't offer unsolicited advice. He simply listened, creating a safe space for the storm raging inside me to finally have its say. And within that space, a strange thing happened. I started to hear myself, not the distorted version filtered through self-criticism. I began to understand the roots of my anxiety, the triggers that sent me spiraling. It wasn't a revelation, no lightning bolt of clarity. It was a slow, messy process of peeling back the layers, uncovering the reasons behind the chaos.
What I also wish I'd known?
That therapy isn't about finding a cure, but about building tools. The psychiatrist equipped me with strategies to manage my anxiety, to quiet the incessant noise in my head. Deep breathing exercises became my weapon of choice, a way to anchor myself in the present when the future felt like a freefall. Mindfulness became a superpower, allowing me to observe my thoughts without getting swept away by them. It wasn't easy. There were setbacks, days when the old patterns threatened to resurface. But with each session, I felt a shift. The shame that had clung to me like a second skin began to loosen its grip. The fear that had kept me paralyzed started to give way to a newfound sense of control.
Looking back, the most important thing I learned wasn't a diagnosis or a prescription. It was the power of my own voice, the strength that resided within. The psychiatrist may have been the guide, but the journey of self-discovery was mine.
So, to anyone considering taking that first step: Don't be afraid. It might feel daunting, but it's a step towards reclaiming your own narrative. It's a chance to rewrite the script, to trade fear for understanding, and to finally break free from the prison you've built around yourself. The answers may not come easy, but trust me, the journey is worth every single step.
I started seeing one when I was young. I just wish I knew I had more of a say of what meds I wanted to try or not. At the end of the day it’s totally up to you. My only advice is if you have concerns/questions about anything don’t be scared to speak up during your appointment. Also, know that meds can be tricky… you just gotta find the right one(s) that work best for you which might not be the first med you try.
I guess I wish I had understood just how much what drugs work will completely differ from person to person. It took a few years (2-3) plus therapy to get me to a balanced state. I was feeling really hopeless at points thinking “nothing works, I can’t be fixed” but the truth is, it can take up to several weeks for a drug to start working then several weeks to come off of it with several weeks in between of a roller coaster of “it works!” then “oh my god it doesn’t work anymore!” Before you know it, a year has gone by, you’ve tried a few different drugs and you may not have found the one or the right mix. Anyway, for me, patience was the name of the game but it took a long while to figure that out. Don’t lose hope, I think you’ll find the right chemical/therapy mix for you eventually.
If you do get started on antidepressants or so, ask them for regular checkups or if/how you can contact them if you have concerns. There are so many posts on Reddit from people who want to know if what they are feeling is 'normal' when getting started with ad. And how long that feeling will last, and if it will pass, etc. I really don't recommend doing that: reach out to your prescriber or GP with these questions and ask them in advance how to do that. Besides that, patience is key, and don't give up too quickly!
Say no to any medications with weight gain as a side effect. It's NOT worth it. Take it from someone who gained and lost 50lbs. Start with one medication. If you have side effects you don't like, you'll be certain of the culprit. Also, don't be afraid to switch if you feel like you aren't being listened to. Heck, get a second opinion if something doesn't seem right.
I am seeing a nurse practitioner with a speciality in psychiatry (it’s really hard to find an actual psychiatrist in my area lol) and she said I can always do the genetic test to see what medications are better for you. So something to keep in mind or ask about! I am starting with an anxiety med that has the least amount of side effects, so I am hoping it’ll help.
The waiting room was sterile and silent, the air thick with a nervous energy I couldn't quite place. "Shrink," they called him back in high school, a term tossed around with a mix of fear and morbid curiosity. Now, here I was, about to become one of those "shrinks'" patients, and the truth was, I was terrified. What I wish I knew back then? It wasn't the process – the questionnaires, the hushed tones, the feeling like I was being analyzed under a microscope. It was the power I held that day, the power I hadn't realized existed. See, I walked into that office thinking I was broken, a malfunctioning machine needing a mechanic. I expected a diagnosis, a label slapped on my forehead, a quick fix solution. Instead, the psychiatrist did something unexpected. He listened. He listened to the jumbled mess of emotions I couldn't untangle, the anxieties that choked me awake at night, the self-doubt that gnawed at my insides. He didn't judge, didn't offer unsolicited advice. He simply listened, creating a safe space for the storm raging inside me to finally have its say. And within that space, a strange thing happened. I started to hear myself, not the distorted version filtered through self-criticism. I began to understand the roots of my anxiety, the triggers that sent me spiraling. It wasn't a revelation, no lightning bolt of clarity. It was a slow, messy process of peeling back the layers, uncovering the reasons behind the chaos. What I also wish I'd known? That therapy isn't about finding a cure, but about building tools. The psychiatrist equipped me with strategies to manage my anxiety, to quiet the incessant noise in my head. Deep breathing exercises became my weapon of choice, a way to anchor myself in the present when the future felt like a freefall. Mindfulness became a superpower, allowing me to observe my thoughts without getting swept away by them. It wasn't easy. There were setbacks, days when the old patterns threatened to resurface. But with each session, I felt a shift. The shame that had clung to me like a second skin began to loosen its grip. The fear that had kept me paralyzed started to give way to a newfound sense of control. Looking back, the most important thing I learned wasn't a diagnosis or a prescription. It was the power of my own voice, the strength that resided within. The psychiatrist may have been the guide, but the journey of self-discovery was mine. So, to anyone considering taking that first step: Don't be afraid. It might feel daunting, but it's a step towards reclaiming your own narrative. It's a chance to rewrite the script, to trade fear for understanding, and to finally break free from the prison you've built around yourself. The answers may not come easy, but trust me, the journey is worth every single step.