Can Anyone Make Sense Out Of My Therapist?

[Seeking_Nirvana]

This has been weighing on me as to weather or not I should even post it. I have a new Psychotherapist because my old one graduated in June.

I've seen him about 4 or maybe 5 times and this last time he really freaked me out. I've never had a therapist confuse me like he did.

I asked him again what symptoms of BPD do I have, and he said that he didn't know me well enough to say, but he did read the last T's notes and said that it's just a diagnosis and why does it bother me?

I said, "It's not so much that it bother's me it's just that I want to know what symptoms I have of it because I don't really see much of it in myself and I need someone to point it out so I can work on those specific issues".

He could not explain to me what BPD was and told me it was just a personality disorder and that there were a lot of personality disorders and a great number of the population has personality disorders and don't get treated for them.

I felt like he was trying to make me feel better about the diagnosis when all I wanted to know was what symptoms I have that gave me that label.

Anyway, he decided that he was going to take that label off of my chart after not being able to clearly tell me why I had that label and every time I went to change the subject, he kept going back to it, which pissed me off because he didn't know what it was anyway.

I don't understand why he wouldn't let me change the subject when he doesn't know that much about BPD and specifically if I have it? What was his goal? Was he trying to get me to tell him what it was because I had to explain what PTSD was to him. I also had to explain the symptoms of what a sociopath was to him and what their main objective was. Maybe I should counsel him?

So anyway he said because every time he has seen me I make to much sense, I'm very insightful and there is no way I have an illness. WTF? I wish that were true but again WTF?

Some one please explain to me what happened in that therapy session? What did I miss? Was my other personality there instead of this one? Was he on drugs that day? IDK:dontknow:

Tammy

 

[midi]

Might I suggest you find a T who knows his shit? Wow.

 

[becvan]

Um, tell him to go back to school and learn more. Hell I knew more than that with only a college diploma in Social Work.

Find a new one, that's just scary.

bec

 

[Deleted member 541]

I agree with the others...He sounds like an incompetent idiot... Are you sure he has a degree, or even took a class in psychology???? Find a new T!!!!!!

 

[Grama-Herc]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO That is scarey! Get a new T. and quickly before he screws up your medical records---like removing diagnosis and stuff.

 

[kers]

So anyway he said because every time he has seen me I make to much sense, I'm very insightful and there is no way I have an illness.

This is concerning to me, it sounds like he's confusing functioning well with mental health. We all know that "looking and sounding okay" doesn't mean you're doing okay. It's like you have to prove you need help. That's ridiculous!

I think 4 or 5 sessions is enough to decide if you connect with and trust a therapist, and that isn't the case with this guy.

 

[2quilt]

It's unanimous! Fire him. Contact his boss and your insurance and get assigned to someone who you can interview before you pay him for a string of visits. This T graduated at the bottom of the class. He was absent that day they taught common sense.

 

[Deleted member 4109]

I totally agree with everyone else..

 

[Lisa]

Additional to unanimous vote... Might be an idea to check out if he is actually qualified with his professional body?

 

[amethist]

This must be a world wide problem, either that or my husbands Community Health nurse and your therapist are the same guy.

He is calling round this week with his colleague to arrange to take my husband out on public transport and get him used to using it himself again, in an hour maybe 2 :rofl:. In a pigs eye they are, on a really, really excellent day I can just manage to get him to go on a 9 minute train journey, wit me, early morning and be back home before town gets any where near busy ( more than 10 people in sight). That is if I can get him out of the house in the first place.

He trusts me to take care of him, there is no way he will trust them yet.

So your therapist and this mental health nurse have both bought their papers from e-bay.

I now believe the doctor who said they don't fully understand ptsd and how the different ways it effects people.

I hope you find a good therapist soon.

Amethist

 

[blackemerald1]

Hello Nirvana - wow, sorry but I think this doctor should be paying you. I could understand a few sessions of 'where are we at and lets get on the same page' so work could begin as soon possible.However this doctor is being reckless and even dangerous by altering your hard copy medical file. What might happen if you are in an ermergancy and other medical staff need information regarding your diagnosis and response to drugs? Little do they know this doctor has behaved like a cowboy and altered your hard copy medical file. He altered your diagnosis??? What a well !@#$%..... I cannot say it here. Yes it is important that it is on your file so a medical professional can read it and grasp what might be happening to you quickly. Speed is often of the essence when mental illness symtoms occur.

I also think he undermined you when you wanted to know what your symptoms presented to people. A completely understandable question and also important for your self image. Why after 4 or 5 sessions couldnt he answer, seriously he was corrupt in his duty of care to you as a psyche patient, to not take the time to answer a simple but very important question. He did no favours for himself in terms of gaining your trust either and I believe trust is extremely important.

I do believe this new doctor probably was right to do his own assessment of you, if he really did a proper one, and finding a different diagnosis to that of your former doctor, he should have referred you to a specialist in BPD to get the record straight once and for all. If you were not happy at this stage, then you could go to your own GP and ask for a referral to a specialist for BPD to follow up.

I actually had misdiagnosis happen to me and having it found, literally saved my life. Briefly, my regular doctor was away so another doctor from the hospital saw me, read my file and placed me on some medication which he said to me might help but would definitely not hurt at least until my doctor returned. Much to their surpirse I made a extrememly rapid recovery which led to a conference with my doctors, some pathology and a completely different diagnosis being made. I do not blame my original doctor,. he
explained how he had come to the diagnosis and I could see how it happened. Mis-diagnosis happens very frequently so maybe this is a great opportunity to get a second opinion.....except not with this particular doctor. His referral is sure to be negative, or tainted so I recommend you get your GP to write it so the referral comes from more nuetral grounds.

I suggest you write a letter requesting the Manager of the Practice withold your files from this doctor in particular and can she book a fully qualified psychyiatrist as soon as possible.

You will definitely be asked questions but just keep it simple.
If you are challenged by the Practice Manager or other doctors as to why you want another doctor, or even if the next one is not suitable for you, simply explain that you did not get along well enough to get what you needed from the doctor. Or, alternatively, if there is whispering and bitchy behaviour by clinic staff because you have dared to ask for a change of
doctor. To fix this, change Practice completely. You deserve the best and at times you must be your own advocate.

It is quite often for doctors and patients not to get along very well. After all, we are all human beings with our own personalities, backgrounds and dislikes and preferences. Patients can also be very difficult to guage and keep stable. Doctors can also be complete oxyygen thieves too and could not spell care let alone know how to give it. That is why it is important to find a doctor you have faith in and stick with him or her for the long haul. I have had the same GP 26 years and only 2 psyches for 13 years, I have been very fortunate however.

When I have had to resort to a different clinic because I had run out of medication other doctors have accused me of being a 'druggy", "Drunk" and doctor shopper. This is despite a letter from my psychiatrist stating I am genuine, in chronic pain,PTSD and other chronic and uncurable conditions. I left feeling like the scum of the earth and became very sick because both my doctors were away at the same time. Anyway I sorted that by getting extra scripts and certificates.

In respect to finding another doctor if that is necessary, one way is to visit your GP and inform him what you have told this forum and ask his assistance to get a well qualified doctor in BPD and ask if he could fax or mail through a authorisation for your file to be sent directly to him or the recommended new doctor. Your GP can pick up the phone and fax a document faster than you can. In fact ask him if he wiill do so for you, I would be worried about your file and if you are too this is a quick means to get it. Your could suggest the file be forwarded to your GP until he helps you find a satisfactory and sensible doctor.

In short what happened in those therapy sessions was you found yourelf with one of many doctors who have no clue about pyschological disorders except the often miquoted cliches and as a result you tryed to make sense of a completely nonsensical doctor. You had several bad experiences with a especially bad doctor. Hey all is not lost though. Just fish around till you find yourself a well informed professional who can answer simple questions.

I hope this problem goes away quickly and you find a great doctor Nirvana.
Go well
Regards Blackemerald1
:smile:

 

[a3a2]

It has been my experience with moron docs, that nearly everyone in the office already knows he's a moron. Request a change in therapists. My guess is, everyone will nod their head knowingly.