Has anyone here been to a psychologist?

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I'm going to see one on Tuesday for the first time, and was curious what to expect. I'm feeling extremely depressed and lonely.

I must say though from my brief phone conversation I had with this woman psychologist, it wasnt quite what I expected. She seemed to talk down to me, as if I were a child or something lol. Almost patronizing, if that's the right word. Like she thought I was an idiot or something? Hmmm I don't know.

What can I expect?

What are you seeing a psychologist for?

I don't like them either.

That is kind of annoying, but I think some Mental Health professionals pick that up because they do in fact deal with a lot of patients who are cognitively impaired to the degree that they respond more to tone of voice than to vocabulary, and they just forget to turn it off when they're talking to someone who doesn't need or appreciate being talked down to.

I notice little things like sympathetic vocalizations such as "Aawww" when you relate to them something of an unpleasant nature that's happened recently. To me, that's patronizing and insincere sounding, but I understand that to some patients those touches are actually reassuring, so I don't mention it. Maybe they really mean it, I dunno, I'm rather cynical by nature.

Unless you really get the feeling that you're being intentionally dismissed as too stupid to be taken seriously, I would try not to read too much into it. For now.

I can almost guarantee that your psychologist will try to establish something in common (his or her own past feelings of depression, a child in a similar situation, an identical Jeep Wrangler, stuff like that.) What they claim to share with you may or may not be true, but they use it to get a foot in the door. I'm usually not impressed.
I don't expect much out of psychologists.

I suppose im lucky since my psychologist is an autism specialist and so barely actualy asks me anything, i still dont like going to them though

I think I've seen a couple of psychologists throughout my life. The first time I've seen one was when I was in the 4th grade, and the psychologist I was seeing was actually a university student, who was training to become a licensed psychologist. I'm not sure if the second guy I saw was a psychologist or a psychiatrist, but he was the one who diagnosed me with Asperger's. I saw him for a couple years, from the 6th to the 8th grade. I'm currently seeing a psychiatrist every now and then, and about a year ago I briefly saw a counselor.

I thought she might be able to help with my depression and lonliness...offer advice etc. but I guess you're saying this is not the case?

I've seen plenty, and they have not done me any good. However, it may be different for you.

I think it is important if you're going to see a psychologist to find one you actually like. If you already don't like the phone conversation, are you really going to be able to open up to someone like that? To feel less lonesome with someone like that?

It's basically a lot of talking in my experience. It makes me very uncomfortable.

I went to two psychologists.

The first was very arrogant (IMO) at the 1st consultation and I never returned.

The second was nice, but after some time I came to the conclusion that the sessions were useless - she asked me what I wanted to change in me, and I, sincerly, did not know what I wanted to change (even today I don't know).

I've seen a counselor, a couple psychologists, and a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist mostly talks to me about meds, because I know a fair amount about what I'm taking. The psychologists mostly ask me questions and want to know what I want to accomplish by seeing them. I'm not seeing one now because I didn't feel like it was helping anything.

Psychologists are human beings, and therefore are as varied and variable as human beings are. There are good ones, bad ones, and ones that should be put in prison and never let out.

Some will try to take control; don't let them. Know what you want, and ask for a specific plan of action. If they are the controlling sort, you'll get resistance and you'll know not to go back to that one; if they appreciate you taking the initiative, you know they are probably the sort of psychologist you want. (They may or may not be skilled, but all the skill in the world can never make up for a psychologist who looks down on his patients; I'd rather have a psychology student who knows I'm the expert on myself than the most knowledgeable psychologist in existence if he thinks I'm a baby who's got to be told who she is.)

What you are doing when you go to see a psychologist is a lot like a more personal version of going to get your computer fixed. You know what you've been doing on your computer and which programs you've been running; but the fellow fixing it knows more about computers in general than you do (or he should, if he's fixing computers and you've brought him yours). He can contribute his expertise on computers; but if he won't listen when you tell him which programs you're running, which problems you're experiencing, and what you want the computer to do, then he's not the sort of person you want tinkering with your computer. The psychologist is an expert on the human mind; but he's not an expert on YOUR human mind. That's the part you contribute. And, of course, you're hiring the psychologist--not the other way around--so if he's not doing his job, then you should go and find another one.

Ever since I was seven. They all talked down to me. Several don't even believe that I am AS.

I had one that I saw three times he said he did not believe in labels. He said he did not disagree with me about my Aspergers self diagnosis but he was going to give me the tools to deal with the social anxiety, depression, and anger management problems. According to him a label will get me no where and cause more problems then what they solve. I told him that I needed the diagnosis so I could get help with job interviews, job coaches, and with education grants. Not to mention the protection from on the job bullying. I came right out and told him that he was not going to change me the social anxiety is too hardwired into my brain. I also do not like being touched or touching someone how is he going to cure that? When I was being difficult he would bring up my brother who I have not seen in five years. When I get emotional I cannot talk until I calm down and mentioning my brother would set me off shutting me up so he could change the subject.

I do not like psychologists at all. I have seen a couple in my time and they have never helped me. They just sit and listen and ask you to talk about your feelings. They are nosey and they don't know what they are doing.

But maybe you will respond well to them who knows?

Has anyone here NOT been to see a psychologist