Find A New Psychiatrist???

[Deleted member 10686]

I thought I liked her, I've been seeing her for my meds for approx. 3 months. But I really don't know anymore.

I tried to explain to her these feelings i've been having of depersonalization, dissociation, etc. I have talked with many people on this site that experience the same types of thing. So I bring it up, and she starts questioning me about my family's mental health history. She starts saying that I could be developing schizophrenia, and that I am at the age that it usually develops, and my situation may have created the "perfect atmosphere" for schizophrenia to develop. Later on she said "lets hope" it is just related to the PTSD, but to "keep an eye out."

I do not see things. I do not hear things. Sometimes I just feel like I am in a dream, or like everything around me is foreign and I am disconnected from things around me, don't feel connected to the world. Don't feel real. I know I am not the only person here to have feelings like this. Why would she jump to schizophrenia as the first reaction, without even considering that it is related to PTSD.

She also was asking me about my support network, asked if i have any friends in town. When I said no, she says, "And what are you going to do differently next time you are in a relationship?" in a really demeaning way.

I'm really pissed. any thoughts?

 

[milbert]

Hi forwardmotion,
Sorry to hear about the trouble you're having, and the anger you're feeling. The symptoms that you describe sound like depersonalization/derealization/dissociation to me as well. I agree, it might be best to get a second opinion. Could you get a referral to a psychiatrist who specializes in PTSD?

 

[mamachick]

Im sorry for your experience too. If you have a T, often they can consult with the psychiatrist and have influence in having medications changed due to side effects. Where I live, there is one very good psychiatrist, however, there is a policy that is the luck of the draw (they are all in the same group), and whoever you get you are stuck with for the rest of your life. I even attempted to pay cash and they will not allow. I drew a short straw. I told him I was worse on a certain med and he would not listen. I got worse and ended up in the hospital. The good psych. talked to me for an hour in the hospital and agreed I needed a change of meds. He released me in 2 days and sent a note to mine about the change. When I went to see him, he ordered an increase of the same. I fired him and wrote an assertive letter. I went to my pcp for the meds. Many of them are very weird and do not listen. I think they try to piss you off to see how you respond. Sorry I am kind of ranting, but my experience has not been great. On the other hand, I have a great dr and T so I am grateful

 

[Deleted member 10686]

That sounds horrible brat17, I have noticed as well that so many doctors just don't want to listen. They all seem to have their favorite drugs to prescribe and don't want to listen to any suggestions other than that, not taking into account the same medication won't work for everybody. I'm sorry you had that experience, but I am glad you have a good doc and t now.

Another thing about this appointment today, I have been taking 75 mg of elavil, she agreed with me that I should stop taking it, however told me to just stop taking it cold turkey. no weaning. I am almost positive this is NOT the way to stop antidepressents, and elavil is especially hard on your body when stopping. I was really shocked for her to say something like that. I just don't feel very trusting of her medical advice or opinion anymore.

In addition, about a month ago a noticed a man in the office, he was from a drug company and was dropping off boxes of samples of medication. when i went in to my appointment, it happened to be the same medication she tried to give me and have me take, "Zyprexa" I came home and read a million TERRIBLE reviews about it. I refused to take it. and in the back of my head I have always wondered if she was just trying to push drugs on me that were on some agenda.

 

[Deleted member 10686]

I was also going to say, I have a great therapist on the other hand, so not all is lost :)

 

[mamachick]

Glad you have a good T. Some drs are good friends with the reps and enjoy the perks

 

[Kb3]

It's really trial and error with these characters and they are not always particularly humble about the shortcomings of their treatments or methods.

They can have diagnosis bias (ie an unbilled bipolar "specialist") and it definitely is not unusual for them to be pharmaceutical shills, at least in the US anyway. It's not very diplomatic to say this, but the field also doesn't always seem to attract the best and brightest either.

The best way to deal with them is to know what will work for you and find the person who will prescribe it to you with the least possible hassle. Like Brat says, GP's or PCP's can also prescribe for you. Trauma therapy is key to recovery as well. Unfortunately I have learned this the hard way.

 

[mamachick]

I got to see a different psychiatrist one time when the one I was "assigned" to was on a long vacation. This other psychiatrist was wonderful. He actually asked about was going on , listened, and talked about it with me. Very nice. I do not know if it is like this in all parts of the country as it is here, but here, once you have seen a specialist , of any kind, you are not allowed to change. This includes neurologist, gastrointerologist, psych, cardiologist, etc. So if you dont like the dr, too bad. My friend had a colonoscopy and when she woke up nauseated, the a@@hole doctor was in the room eathing his lunch from a hot plate. My friend was repulsed. The next time she was due in 5 yrs, she exhausted all efforts in getting another dr, but failed and had to return to this one.

 

[Kb3]

My friend had a colonoscopy and when she woke up nauseated, the a@@hole doctor was in the room eathing his lunch from a hot plate. My friend was repulsed. The next time she was due in 5 yrs, she exhausted all efforts in getting another dr, but failed and had to return to this one.

What kind of unprofessional toad eats in the recovery room? And did she bring a snack for him to eat before the next procedure? I'd have shown up with a big batch of ex-lax brownies for him...

 

[mamachick]

This is really a sad state of affairs. They book through lunch and the people cant fire a dr because they have no choice. Is it not this way all over the U>S. I would like to know. I will never go back the the idiot they gave me.

 

[Grace Hope]

I think some Psychs have shares in the chemical companies that make the meds. Some also seem to have thier own agenda that keeps us on large amounts of meds. I have learned the lesson. Now I talk to other people before I change anything to make sure it will benifit me and my needs.

You don`t always just need to change the Dr/ Psych/ T I think it would help us all if we wrote to the medical Governing body like the General Medical Council to have our voices heard if there is a issue that needs to be raised so that we can have a service that supports us the way we need it to. For the majority of us our mental health Human rights are not met. Not by a long chalk.

I wrote a letter a couple of weeks ago to say that the relationship between myself and my psychiatrist had irritrievably broken down and explained the reasons why I needed to change as well as that I had an appointment with the duty social worker to tell my story in detail.

Bullies and abusers can`t hide if they and thier deeds are spoken about.

Good luck
Clan Destany

 

[mamachick]

Clan Destany-I agree. I know a psychologist that prescribes adderoll for everyone, he says everyone is ADHD???? I know women who simply call it mothers little helper and probably do not need it. In the US, Adderoll can not be purchased legally right now, all pharmacies are out of it. I have something similiar to narcalepsy and cant drive or do much else without it. The manufacturer will not be making any more until 2012??? ISince I have been searching pharmacies for it, I have been offered it for sale illegally two times so far in just over a week. Its all over every college campus. Its insane.