Dear @user4326
Thank you for reaching out to explore how best to speak to your psychiatrist in an honest and open manner. To me, your willingness to talk about things honestly is already a strong and healthy step.
Since you’ve been seeing her for nearly 7 years, there is trust built over the years and this might be a great time to bring up your job search experience, especially if it’s been emotionally draining. I agree the stress and self-doubt that comes with job hunting can affect mental health, and it’s absolutely something worth talking about.
I believe your Reddit posts capture your thoughts well, and it’s totally okay to refer to them. You could say, “I wrote a couple of posts about it because I was trying to process how I felt.”
Try to talk about any feelings that have come up—things like anxiety, discouragement, frustration, or even moments of hope. It’s helpful to share those emotional ups and downs, even if they seem small. You might say, “Some days I feel okay, but then I get one rejection and it just hits me harder than I expected.”
Also, if you’ve noticed patterns—like avoiding applications out of fear, comparing yourself to others, or struggling with motivation—those are helpful to bring up too. These are the kind of things your psychiatrist can help you unpack gently, at your pace.
You could let her know what you’re hoping to get from talking about it, like, “I’m not sure how to deal with the emotional side of this process—can we talk about that?”
And just to reassure you: it’s very normal to feel unsure about what to share in therapy, even after years. What matters is that you’re showing up and doing your best to talk about what’s on your mind. The rest can unfold naturally in the session. 