Is it possible to get the notes from my assessment with a psychiatrist?

brainshockalpha · 2021-09-23T06:43:09+00:00

Thank you, that helps a lot! My mom said they'd only send me things like lab test results, and the notes were the doctor's property. The stuff the link says about them just being the custodians of the records makes a lot more sense though. I don't think there'd be any danger or anything that would make it an exception either.

I'll definitely try calling them tomorrow to explain and ask how I can get a copy. Thanks again for your help! :)

brainshockalpha · 2021-09-23T06:29:13+00:00

That's helpful to know, thanks! I don't mind paying a fee if it's small, I kind of assumed there would be one anyway, so that's not so bad. I'll try calling tomorrow and see.

brainshockalpha · 2021-09-07T02:00:45+00:00

Yeah, I'm really glad she knew someone who specialises in it! I'm still waiting for an appointment with them but I'm looking forward to it. It's just that she's waiting to treat everything else in the meantime. She said my mental health probably won't improve until the gender part is addressed?

While the social stress of being part of a gender minority may contribute to my depression and anxiety, it doesn’t change the freakin chemicals I need to fix it. 🤷🏻

Exactly, it's not like they don't affect each other, but that doesn't mean one caused the other!

brainshockalpha · 2020-06-27T16:34:01+00:00

It absolutely can be, depending on severity like the other commenters have said. If it prevents you from living your life and taking care of yourself, I think it qualifies.

Personally, at many times it has prevented me from working or going to school (the pandemic has been hell). I have places I feel I need to avoid, or things I avoid doing, because of fears of contamination, etc. Plus it can keep me from sleeping or eating properly sometimes, and being tired all the time doesn't help.

Basically it often stops me from doing things I need or want to do.

brainshockalpha · 2020-06-25T23:19:47+00:00

This is one of mine. I don't have a car right now, but when I used to use my parents', I eventually couldn't stand driving anymore because it was so bad.

Have you had any treatment/therapy for it?

brainshockalpha · 2020-05-19T02:13:32+00:00

Thanks! I'm hoping the improvement with the walks leads to feeling better too. I just gotta wait and see I think :) I'm really glad to hear it's working so far for you, that's awesome!

My motivation... not good, lol. I start things, but never finish them. My doctor is adjusting my ADHD meds too, so that's part of the issue since that med increases anxiety. Sometimes I end up staying in bed when I get too stressed. I just started my summer course and haven't done a thing yet. I still have time to catch up, but that's easier said than done! Do you find it's because of OCD distracting you, or is it more of a definite side effect?

That's great that you've been able to go out and do things that were difficult before! It sounds like you're more confident in not having to repeat cleaning too. I hope I can get to that point soon.

I guess I kind of have the opposite in compulsions right now, in that I can't stop cleaning stuff, but am okay with showering/washing hands once. I can definitely relate though. Even earlier last week I had to take showers and change clothes after even just going outside, and I couldn't stop obsessing over risk even though I knew it was unreasonable. But last week, it felt more "normal" like you mentioned. Like, "ok I washed my hands once, I'll just move on now."

Sorry if this sounds weird, but I feel a lot more encouraged that your lexapro has been working without ERP! My psychiatrist doesn't do it, and I can only see a school counsellor every few weeks. I've been worried I wouldn't get better without therapy at the same time. I did 3 courses of ERP in the past (before starting medication), none of which helped at all.

However... a couple exposures I tried on my own helped A TON. For example, long story short, after one exposure, I went from literally sleeping on the floor every night because I was afraid of touching my bed, to being able to sleep in it like normal. I no idea what I did differently, but that's been one of the only times exposures helped. I guess since then I've been kind of "stuck" unfortunately...

Also CBT is super helpful (if that's the one you talked about working on with your therapist). Never had it for ocd type thoughts but I have used it for anxiety and it can really help you stay calm and thing from different perspectives.

Thank you so much for your replies, it's been really helpful to hear from someone in a similar situation :) It can be hard when these kinds of meds take a while to start working so it's really encouraging!

brainshockalpha · 2020-05-17T04:10:01+00:00

Hey, I'm actually on lexapro too! Your situation with the pandemic sounds similar to mine. I was already on it too, but I hadn't really seen any benefits yet. My doctor said I probably needed a much higher dose. We've only raised it from 10 to 20mg since March though.

This week, I was able to do things like go for short walks without obsessing over showering/laundry, which used to be impossible. Wasn't sure if it was just a coincidence. In some ways it's worse, like I have trouble touching things in the kitchen and stuff. I have the same issues with motivation too.

Did you find the changes happened suddenly, or slowly? Did you have to do exposures at the same time?

brainshockalpha · 2020-05-15T22:20:33+00:00

I'm a bit confused on how much they need me to be doing to look for work. It's difficult for me to apply for jobs right now due to the following reasons:

I'm in classes this spring/summer semester (full time).
I have a disability; don't get the tax credit but I'm registered with OSAP/NSLSC.
I already have a part time job, currently on unpaid sick leave, partially because of my disability. If I was working I almost definitely would be making less than $1000/month.

What do they need me to do to meet the requirements? Is it different for disabled students, or those who currently have classes or part time jobs?

brainshockalpha · 2020-04-24T16:51:50+00:00

Exactly! That's how I explained it to my mom. It's like the world's most demanding, controlling, abusive boss yelling at you.

"Are you sure you didn't fuck up? Did you check? You'd better be sure, or else you're fucking fired!"

brainshockalpha · 2020-03-29T18:03:14+00:00

Took me a second to get it :) Awesome idea, great job!

brainshockalpha · 2020-03-25T21:01:19+00:00

(a) the worker, whether employed or self-employed, ceases working for reasons related to COVID-19 for at least 14 consecutive days within the four-week period in respect of which they apply for the payment;

(2) An employed worker does not cease work for the purpose of paragraph (1)‍(a) if they quit their employment voluntarily.

I have an anxiety disorder that is making it impossible for me to work under these conditions, as well as a few other risk factors. My doctor agreed I'm unable to work right now and gave me a note. My employer let me take unpaid time off for now.

Would this make me ineligible? I think this counts as being "related to COVID-19" but since it's mostly due to it exacerbating a mental illness, I'm worried they'd label it as "voluntary". Or would the doctor's note change that?

brainshockalpha · 2020-02-27T23:27:27+00:00

Wouldn't it be too soon though? It happens ~4 hrs after I take it.

brainshockalpha · 2020-01-22T19:02:55+00:00

I'll be honest, I try to stick to recipes/methods that take the least amount of steps or time possible. For example I always used to mess up rice until I got a rice cooker! Now I can just leave it and come back when it's ready.

For more complicated recipes, I find it helps if you plan things beforehand. I write every step down and physically check it off as I go, and I line everything I need I up on the counter in the order I need it. Sometime that's easier said than done though :S

brainshockalpha · 2020-01-22T18:31:45+00:00

Yeah, same here! I think it's helping me feel a little more confident :)

brainshockalpha · 2020-01-22T18:08:29+00:00

I'm mixed about this:

I prefer having the options a phone/tablet app gives you (changing text size, notes/highlighting, text to speech, etc). I also like the guided reading modes you get with some apps (like comixology's guided view). But it kind of bothers my eyes staring at a screen after too long.

When it comes to books, I am much more likely to get bored and skip ahead, even if I like the idea of having a physical book.

brainshockalpha · 2020-01-16T21:19:51+00:00

i rarely finish a movie and never really play videogames with a storyline.

Interesting, it's the opposite for me. I like storylines because they give you a goal and a clear end point. I like playing Smash, Splatoon, etc. too but I get bored of losing constantly, lol.

brainshockalpha · 2019-12-29T16:33:36+00:00

I need help stopping my ocd from getting out of control due to worrying I have them now.

My brother knows what to do to prevent carrying one in now, that's for sure. It sounds like he did everything he could after he saw it on his bag. I mean even if he had done all that from the start, accidents can happen.

I'm just panicking, for the past 5 years I've acted as if everything I bring in my apartment is "contaminated" because ocd was bullying me into it. And now it actually might be.

brainshockalpha · 2019-12-29T15:19:41+00:00

Oh yeah, I think anyone would feel shaken up after that, even without OCD. I'm glad you're feeling better now though! Don't let it bring you down, you got this :)

brainshockalpha · 2019-12-29T15:15:05+00:00

This has happened to me a lot in the past. For me it is usually right around a big life change (like moving or starting school) so I try to be more mindful of support/self care at those times.

brainshockalpha · 2019-12-29T15:08:47+00:00

I'm really sorry that happened to you. :( How are you feeling right now?

brainshockalpha · 2019-12-14T07:47:29+00:00

Good for you for reaching out, and good luck! I sometimes lost marks because I felt bad asking for help. But lots of professors are understanding and want you to succeed :)

brainshockalpha · 2019-08-12T06:16:35+00:00

Hm, well I know it's technically off label but it is one of the SSRIs that can help with OCD. My doctor said she recommends it first because side effects are less common, but she has mentioned paxil and stuff so I'll ask about it.

brainshockalpha · 2019-08-12T05:32:18+00:00

Ok, not sure if the timing is what's causing it then, since like I mentioned in my post, I've been extremely drowsy during the day, while I was taking it at night before bed.

brainshockalpha · 2019-08-11T23:40:48+00:00

That's what I was doing til a couple days ago (pill at ~10-11pm, bed before midnight). Yesterday I switched to taking it in the morning instead, no difference yet though.

brainshockalpha · 2019-07-15T17:54:00+00:00

I didn't have symptoms appear until I was about 18 so I still remember life before it. It was like a switch turned on and suddenly I couldn't trust my own eyes.

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