New to the medication world and my psychiatrist is difficult... any suggestions

[Briellewannabe]

Hello,

So after much prompting from my therapists, I finally saw a psychiatrist last week. I was super uncomfortable right off the bat as he was very pressing (I don't know another word for that) and seemed to push past any comfort that could have been there by being verbally encroaching. That might be usual, I don't know.

He also said unsettling things, like asking me if he needed to hospitalize me and then repeatedly threatened to do so repeatedly during the initial meeting (and once my second meeting). I didn't really give him cause to react this way. It was so unsettling that I found it nearly impossible to talk to him or to keep my thoughts straight. He seemed to only be focused on the PTSD symptoms, which he identified right away, and totally ignored the depression that has led to suicidal thoughts that I've had since I was 5. I think he thinks the suicidal thoughts are from the PTSD. He didn't ask and I didn't know how to talk to him.

He prescribed Prazosin, 1mg (now 2mg after our appointment today) and today he prescribed Abilify, 2mg. He didn't want to do anti-depressants because he was worried with my anxiety that I would react badly.

So, my question is... does anyone have an easy time with communicating with their psychiatrist? I don't have this much difficulty with my therapists (both of which have asked me to give the psychiatrist their numbers so they can talk to him but he doesn't seem interested in this option).

Also, did you guys study up on medications to discuss with the psychiatrist, or just rely on his judgement? My T suggested that I do that but I got overwhelmed and nearly backed out of my psychiatrist appointment, so I stopped. Now I'm being prescribed things based off his recommendation and I don't think he understands the issues too well, though he's targeting some symptoms for sure.

I don't know. I'm feeling overwhelmed by this and I don't really know how to feel good about my decision to start trying medications.

 

[anthony]

Psychiatrists are shit, as a majority. They do exactly what you are describing -- they think they know it all. They jump to conclusions and assertions with little information. They believe pills will fix everything. They have no clue nowadays how to be a psychiatrist and talk with people... they're just, in, out, prescribe pills, next person.

Psychologists are the better alternative IMHO... psychiatrists are only good for diagnosis where legal / insurance is concerned, otherwise I would recommend to steer clear of them. Their entire industry has lost the plot.

There are the obvious few good ones around... but the majority are shit. They have no personal ability to connect.

 

[erigby]

I cancelled my first psychiatrist and changed to another one.
My first psychiatrist was very much "let's try this drug for a month and see how it goes."
My new psychiatrist was "let's try this for 10 days and if you aren't seeing any improvement we will try something else."
I saw my 2nd psychiatrist every 10 days for 2 months until things started looking up. He is available for an appt. if I feel I need it.
In his words "patients should not have to suffer to see if medication is helping."
I strongly encourage you to find a psychiatrist who lives by this philosophy and leaves his appointment book open to it.
I have also found...meds do not cure all...they give me a leg up...the rest of the work is done in therapy.
For whatever that is worth.
I wish you the best.
Don't give up.
My psychiatrist would tell me often..."there are 60 different medications for depression."

 

[Muted]

So, my question is... does anyone have an easy time with communicating with their psychiatrist?

There have been a rare few I've been able to talk and feel comfortable with. The last lady I went to triggered me, it felt more like an interrogation than a dr appt. I am now going to a different dr. I took someone with me this time. I felt like he listened and was safe, but I think it's hard to communicate your entire history in one session. I trust my therapist opinion of where I'm at on my meds, because she sees me regularly. But, I appreciate when they give me a choice and explain the options and answer my questions.

 

[anthony]

In his words "patients should not have to suffer to see if medication is helping."

BOOM! Drop the mic! That is one of the good ones. Rare find.

 

[Briellewannabe]

I appreciate all of your responses!

I wish I could switch psychiatrists but unfortunately I don't have much of a choice with the insurance I have. My options are to deal with him or forgo the drug route--which I'm still considering. I wasn't super sure about meds to begin with...

it felt more like an interrogation than a dr appt

Yes! This is how I felt too!

One of my T's is awesome and she's going to call him and talk to him - hopefully he'll have a better understanding of where I'm at and he'll stop threatening hospitalization every visit. :/

 

[Nessa7]

The first paragraph is unfortunately pretty common. I like my psychiatrist, but she definitely has way too many patients. She told me once that to stay on schedule she needs to average out to five minutes per appointment except for new patients that get twenty minutes.

I hope your T is able to get through to him. If you're seeing two therapists, I don't know why he would be wanting to hospitalize you when either one of them could help you make that decision with more information, if it were necessary.

I don't study up on medications, but I do plan out what I want from the appointment in advance. If I disagreed with the medications that I was prescribed or felt that what I was prescribed wasn't working, I would.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

So, my question is... does anyone have an easy time with communicating with their psychiatrist?

No! I have to have a psychiatrist as my therapist cannot write scripts, though he does know a f*ck ton about meds. So, I speak to my therapist about which ones would help and why, go home and research them, then if i want to try it I go to my psychiatrist and ask for it and why and she gives it to me without fail.

The way I like to think of my psychiatrist is a prescription cow. We don't talk. She has my chart and reads it sometimes but we never speak about symptoms normally as its in my chart from my therapist. They are in a group. If you don't have one in a group with your therapist then I would see another psychiatrist that you can talk to about your symptoms. Or, write them down and your thoughts about them. That way you can express your own thoughts about them. Or, intrupt him and tell him your thoughts. Or, tell him you can't talk to him and why. I mean something needs to give here. There are bad psychiatrists out there just like there are bad therapists. In my experience with my first and only psychiatrist I have ever had, they don't seem very approachable. But thats just my experience with just one psychiatrist.

She told me once that to stay on schedule she needs to average out to five minutes per appointment except for new patients that get twenty minutes

My psychiatrist does that. She gives you 5 mins but you have to wait an hour past your appointment time. That's a good thought. Maybe not enough time?

 

[Jflo524]

Hello,

So after much prompting from my therapists, I finally saw a psychiatrist last week. I wa...

You might consider finding another psychiatrist. You definitely have to find someone you can talk to and trust if not you will never have good results

 

[EveHarrington]

Can you pay out of pocket?

I think it's worth the expense if you find a good doc.

I pay out of pocket and will cry the day my doc retires.

$150 3-4 times a year is doable. Essential, really. (I drive 2 hrs each way to see him.)

 

[highwaybeauty]

Hello,

So after much prompting from my therapists, I finally saw a psychiatrist last week. I wa...

Trying medications is a scary process, but good on you for considering it! There is definitely a place for medication in supporting mental health. With regards to your psychiatrist, it doesn't sound as though he really listened to what you were experiencing and what you wanted. Which is incredibly frustrating and I am sorry you had that experience. I've had 2 psychiatrists, the first was a male who was very blasé and wasn't proactive in finding suitable medication. So I decided to switch to another, who was a female and actually listened to what I wanted and was willing to work with my psychologist. If you don't feel he is a good fit then perhaps it is best to consider someone else. Unfortunately psychiatrists are specialist doctors and aren't usually warm and fuzzy. Unlike psychologists/counsellors/therapists they aren't as interested in supporting you emotionally as much as they are focused on medication only. This is my experience however but it would be a shame to rule out medication (which could potentially make your life better!) because of this bad experience with this guy. I hope that he gets on board or you find someone who is more suited to you.

HB x

 

[WishfulThinking123]

I have studied psychology and originally thought I wanted to be a counselor-that didn't end up being in the cards for me. However, after that educational background, I decided I would never see or become a "psychiatrist". I do believe that they often just prescribe medications with knowing little about you so, I would much rather just see a counselor. However, after some nudging from my T I have decided to start taking an antidepressant to get me through this bad spot I'm in currently. However, my T stated I could just go to my OB or family doctor so.. if you're just wanting to get prescribed an antidepressant that may be a better route? idk?