What did he mean by "intervention"?

Hi everyone!

I have a history of GAD, OCD, Panic Disorder, Tourette's, occasional bouts of Depression and some Insomnia. Recently, I was also diagnosed with Bi-Polar Disorder by a specialist (although not a Psychiatrist or Psychologist - at least not yet).

One of my biggest issues lately is that any time a major stressor comes along, I end up having wave after wave of panic attacks. It's that feeling you get when your brain/body is constantly pumping out stress "alarm" hormones like adrenalin and cortisol and you get that sickening "rush" that comes up through you along with a burning in the pit of your stomach. I should add that most of my stressors are situational and are relieved once the issue that caused the stress has been resolved.

Once a major stressor occurs, it seems like everything after that (even the little things) suddenly become huge worries which leads to over-analyzing every minute detail and the never-ending "what ifs". It's like one or two major stressors set the stage for you to become super-sensitive to everything that comes along afterwards. Even worse (at least for me) are appointments or deadlines because it creates pressure and gives me lots of time to worry about every little thing leading up to the appointment date (or deadline). I've tried Ativan, Atarax, Atenolol and a variety of other meds and they either don't even begin to touch it or they only work for a short time.

Anyway, so now my Doctor said that he wants me to see a Psychiatrist and it sounded like he was fairly serious about it. I also overheard him tell the nurse (who was writing up my referral) that I was to be seen by a Psychiatrist for my severe anxiety and panic attacks. Then he said "...and to be evaluated for Bi-Polar Disorder" and finally, something about "intervention".

Hearing him say the word "intervention" scared me a little bit and so I asked what he meant by that and I don't remember exactly what he said now but I don't think it was anything bad. Of course now, it's become something new for me to worry about. When I hear the word "intervention" and "Psychiatrist" used in the same conversation, it conjures up images of someone being committed against their will for a 72 hour evaluation (or longer) and given various drugs. Apparently, all it takes is for a person to be "deemed to have a mental illness" and that's kind of scary.

So having said all that, does anyone have an idea as to what my Doctor might have meant when he used the term "intervention"?. Should I be concerned?.

Thanks for your help with this. It's really been bugging me a lot!.

Hi Seth,

First of all, good job on getting the help that you need to feel better. I know some of the feelings that you described in your post, and it is miserable!

I was helped so much by therapy, and I am sure that it will be of benefit to you as well.

The word intervention is intimidating...but I am sure that it does not mean what you are thinking in this case. It could have been interchanged with the term intake evaluation...or maybe it just means that it is the first step in intervening the anxiety cycle that you are currently in?

Unless you are currently a threat to yourself or others, you are certainly not going to be detained against your will...modern paychiatric pratices just do not do this...so rest assured that this wil not happen.

I will do a little research into this and see if I find anything with similar terminology...and you may hear from someone else who is familiar with this...but most likely, this is just something that your doctor said that has nothing to do with the typical meaning of the word.

Let us know how your evaluation goes and how you like your P-doc.

Best wishes!

S.C.