Third week of therapy. My psychiatrist has let me talk for 2 hours so far and not offered anything much in the way of a response to anything I say. I feel like I am spending a lot of effort and money to talk to a blank wall. Is this normal or should I be seeking a different therapist? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 12, 2009 - 29 answers

I'm a male in my early twenties who has washed out of college and is looking for a mental health professional of some sort in Northern Virginia. Issues I feel are likely to come up are my (long-ago diagnosed) attention deficit disorder, depression, and some form of OCD - I have a deep and (likely irrational) fear of psychosis and other impairments of cognition. I am deeply wary of psychiatric drugs, and want to work with someone who shares my attitude toward them, but would recommend them as a last resort. So what I'm after is some sort of talk therapy, preferably with a medical doctor (as oppose to "just" a PhD). [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 13, 2009 - 11 answers

After a long and losing battle with depression, I am going to a short-term (10 day) partial hospitalization program at McLean Hospital near Boston. I need advice on how to convince myself that there’s hope for me and get into the kind of frame of mind that will allow me to benefit from this kind of program, despite its short length and limitations. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 14, 2009 - 23 answers

I just got back from a psychiatric evaluation. The diagnostic impression is "chronic major depressive disorder versus dysthymia." What does "versus" mean in this context? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 19, 2009 - 15 answers

Please give me advice on inpatient psychiatric treatment programs for depression. I'm looking for recommendations and advice on specific clinics anywhere in the US. I'll spare you the long detailed background and try to give the most essential and relevant details. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 1, 2009 - 11 answers

My teenage sister has just been admitted to Bellevue Hospital's psychiatric ward (in New York City); should my parents let her stay put, or have her transferred to another hospital? Is there anything they should be aware of? [more inside]
posted by korpios on Sep 25, 2008 - 13 answers

Without going into whole life stories/clinical history, I just want to know - does the exaggerated anxiety that appears as a side effect of Wellbutrin subside after a while? [more inside]
posted by anthom on Jul 25, 2008 - 27 answers

An adolescent relative in her senior year of high school is suffering depression, and recently spoke to a psychiatrist about suicide, which resulted in her near-hospitalization. She's taken Zoloft, and done some therapy -- what now? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 31, 2007 - 14 answers

Do I need a psychiatrist as well as a psychologist? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 12, 2007 - 11 answers

Will the Peace Corps disqualify me if I have to keep taking my antidepressant during my assignment? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 10, 2007 - 12 answers

Can a psychiatrist diagnose a disorder in five minutes? [more inside]
posted by giggleknickers on May 31, 2007 - 34 answers

I need a therapist. I recently moved to the Boston area, I don't really know anybody, and Psychology Today isn't doing it for me. I know that I'm clinically depressed (runs in the family, and relatives who are docs say so), and it's gotten worse of late. It's ruining my job, my life, and my sleep. Where do I find a top notch psychiatrist/psychologist?
posted by anonymous on Dec 12, 2004 - 8 answers

electro convulsive therapy (ECT): My brother has been diagonized with major depression. He no longer responds to the standard anti-depressants. Doctors are considering ECT for him. Have any meta filter members had experience with ECT? How effective? Side effects? Relapses?
posted by TimeFactor on Jun 13, 2004 - 13 answers