Appt #7: Do you have conversations with anyone that perhaps other people can't see or hear?

Ah, the joys of a couch!  Indeed one of my favorite places of all time. However, when it come to brain shrinking, might not be the best place to be. I kid.  Going to the psychiatrist wasn't so bad.  I had been to therapy before and it was no different. Well...

So this specific appointment is required but not covered by my insurance. I had to pay $275 up front to get Psychiatric clearance.  I have to say, I felt jipped right off the bat.  I was marginally excited about seeing a real psychiatrist for the first time. I was less than thrilled that I was seeing a student intern by the name of Emily Wu.  I am in full support of teaching hospitals and welcome any and all students to learn from my medical charts, but darn it, I wanted the real thing!

I spent my morning filling out a 30 page survey on the history of my obesity.  I had to chart my weight from the age of 5 in five year increments along with full body diagrams.  I had to answer questions about my family and their weight.  I had to reflect on "reasons I could have gained weight" that made me face some things in my past that I didn't really want to reflect on.  Such as, my "break-up" with a dear friend (or two) and my historic two month battle with Chantix. Elissa reviewed all these materials just before meeting with me.  This was very much a clinical appointment.  She continued to ask me questions about me, my life with food, my diet, etc.  She was most concerned for my eating habits and how I can go all day without eating.  I used the word binge eat at night and learned that binging is something completely different and more damaging, especially in psychology. I am an over-eater.  That was easy!

Some of my favorite questions from the session...

Do you eat and find yourself unable to stop yourself?
Do you have guilt or sadness after eating?
Do you have conversations with anyone that perhaps other people can't see or hear? I laughed so hard at this question because she was so serious!

Elissa is a very text book soon-to-be doctor.  She isn't really natural at talking.  She does well, though, at telling you her clinical determinations.  I say that because she has cleared me for surgery.  My mental health is in tact. Thank you Prozac!!!  (I should mention, she seemed concerned I was on Prozac and didn't quite take my word for it in regards to taking 20 mgs daily. She asked for my Primary Doc info to verify. She did make one recommendation that will be on my chart, and that is to speak at length with my nutritionist on eating every two hours, which at this point is my biggest weakness.  I am still overeating at nighttime, just with healthier foods.