Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:26 am by Guest
Sunflower:
One thing that Scientology borrowed from Psychology/Psychiatry is that people can develop certain ingrained behaviors or feelings. But they aren't engrams due to body thetans, engrams, or some goofy previous life. Got bit by a dog as a kid, you may be afraid of dogs as a adult.
Psychologists and Psychiatrists both deal with counseling, but Psychiatrists are also doctors capable of proscribing meds.
1) If you do see a psych, make sure they listen to you. They shouldn't try and pidgeonhole you into some pet/favorite theory of yours.
2) If your psychiatrist thinks medication may help ( And trust me, it can work ), be aware of a few things.
a) It can take several weeks for the meds to take affect, and maybe a month or two for side effects to go away as your body adapts. If after 90s the side effects have not improved, or the drug appears to not be working, a worthwhile psychiatrist will then work with you to find a dose or drug that will. All people are different, and brain chemistry plays a MASSIVE role in drug efficacy. So what works for one person does not work for another. If you doctor refuses to listen to your concerns, find another!
3) You can also see about finding a licensed counsellor. These are not psychs, but they are accredited by the state, and are trained listeners. They can not proscribe meds, and they aren't dogmatic about trying to fit your mental state into some psychological theory. They are there to listen, to find flaws in your thinking ( "I am worthless" ), and offer suggestions. So these may be the best place to start. I went to a counsellor while having a rough time at my last job. And merely being able to talk to her probably prevented me from having a massive mental breakdown.
Lastly, get some exercise. The world is wonderous, and scary at the same time. But you are young. You can be anything you want if you part your heart into it. Find what makes you happy and persue it.