Problems with Psychiatrist

Curious · #1 Oct 19, '09, 6:18 pm

Okay, so this guy is my first and only psychiatrist..I started seeing him in January or Februrary of 2008. He's not bad. He's pretty smart and he genuinely seems to care about me and how I'm doing. Instead of being the med dispenser that so many psychiatrists turn out to be, he'll actually talk to me at least a little about how life is going for me.

The last time I saw him, I shared with some some new and unpleasant symptoms - symptoms which, in my opinion, are kind of obvious. When I asked him, "So what do you think?" He was like..."I honestly have no idea." And then proceeded to change my meds around.

Now seriously...NO idea? But he can change the meds around? Guys I find that ridiculous and the more I think about it, the madder I get. I'm going to stay good and mad because I see him soon and then I'm going to tell him what I think.

Look, I know psychiatry has a little of gray areas in it - the DSM IV sn't perfect but it's all we have right now, and there's a trend among mental health professionals to "avoid labels." Well I don't want to "avoid labels." That's just another of saying, "You don't need to know what's wrong you." ********. I need to know what I'm up against. I'm going to insist that he give me some differential diagnoses at least. Hell, even if he says, "I think you're making it all up," it's better than "I honestly have no idea."

What do you guys think about this situation? Have you had similar encounters with your psychiatrist or psychologist?

Irritably yours,
Curious

kimberly923200 · #2 Oct 19, '09, 8:49 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curious

Okay, so this guy is my first and only psychiatrist..I started seeing him in January or Februrary of 2008. He's not bad. He's pretty smart and he genuinely seems to care about me and how I'm doing. Instead of being the med dispenser that so many psychiatrists turn out to be, he'll actually talk to me at least a little about how life is going for me.

The last time I saw him, I shared with some some new and unpleasant symptoms - symptoms which, in my opinion, are kind of obvious. When I asked him, "So what do you think?" He was like..."I honestly have no idea." And then proceeded to change my meds around.

Now seriously...NO idea? But he can change the meds around? Guys I find that ridiculous and the more I think about it, the madder I get. I'm going to stay good and mad because I see him soon and then I'm going to tell him what I think.

Look, I know psychiatry has a little of gray areas in it - the DSM IV sn't perfect but it's all we have right now, and there's a trend among mental health professionals to "avoid labels." Well I don't want to "avoid labels." That's just another of saying, "You don't need to know what's wrong you." ********. I need to know what I'm up against. I'm going to insist that he give me some differential diagnoses at least. Hell, even if he says, "I think you're making it all up," it's better than "I honestly have no idea."

What do you guys think about this situation? Have you had similar encounters with your psychiatrist or psychologist?

Irritably yours,
Curious

Curious,

I know how you feel! My husband and I have gotten the same run-around from our Psychiatrist for about 3 years! Especially my husband. He has TERRIBLE anxiety and the doc keeps switching his meds around to no avail. 3 years! My husband is actually WORSE now than he was 3 years ago! I keep saying why doesn't he get a new doctor, but no, I guess he wants to stick around just in case that "magic cocktail" is just around the corner. Same situation with me to a lesser degree. (but I would llike to get a new doc. But I don't want my husband to feel abandonned...) I honestly don't know what to do other than to pray. We get the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick from time to time. Have you done that for yourself? It always helps us spiritually, if not physically or emotionally... I hope some people come along who have good advice in this area.

Blessings,
Kimberly

Curious · #3 Oct 20, '09, 5:51 am

Quote:

Curious,

I know how you feel! My husband and I have gotten the same run-around from our Psychiatrist for about 3 years! Especially my husband. He has TERRIBLE anxiety and the doc keeps switching his meds around to no avail. 3 years! My husband is actually WORSE now than he was 3 years ago! I keep saying why doesn't he get a new doctor, but no, I guess he wants to stick around just in case that "magic cocktail" is just around the corner. Same situation with me to a lesser degree. (but I would llike to get a new doc. But I don't want my husband to feel abandonned...) I honestly don't know what to do other than to pray. We get the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick from time to time. Have you done that for yourself? It always helps us spiritually, if not physically or emotionally... I hope some people come along who have good advice in this area.

Blessings,
Kimberly

You know, I've never received that particular sacrament. It's probably not something I'll do for some time. I'm still a little new to this and still have a difficult time applying the words "mental illness" to me.

I have recently prayed that whatever these new symptoms mean, that my psychiatrist will interpret them correctly and just tell me. "I have absolutely no idea" isn't acceptable. There's a lot of things we don't know in medicine, particularly about psych stuff. But believe me, this shouldn't be that hard. Like I said, I like this guy, but even after a year and half I still get a little nervous when I go see him. I think I'm irritated enough now to be able to kind of stand up for myself and tell him how I feel.

Curious

donsnow · #4 Oct 20, '09, 6:11 am

Dear Curious,

I've been under different psychiatrists' care since Sept of 1990. I've also had several different therapists in that time and been in about four different male survival groups. From that experience and in prayer for you, I would answer that maybe your doctor was just being honest with you. It took me about a year and a half to establish enough trust with my present psychiatrist to open up to him. Your doctor goes pretty much by what you tell him. This could be one of those times when your confused statement thwarts him, and he's being careful to not jump the gun. Your new symptoms may have prompted him to change your medication.

There's so much that I don't know about your medical care. I started with a good job and good health insurance that included mental care. Then, when the insurance ran out, I went through two different psychiatrists: one through the county and one out of my pocket. Then, I found out that my 1961 - '65 tour in the USMC gave me medical benefits with the VA and that is now my sole medical provider. I've went through seven therapists before I found one I could trust. Have had better luck with therapists since then. I'm learning to handle PTSD from the rape. I'm telling you all this, because I don't know how long you've been under a doctor's care. Have you asked around for support groups of your condition? Does your psychiatrist recommend you see a therapist (some doctors have attendant therapists, to whom to send their patients for detailed work)?

I think that this is all that I can write, and be helpful. I've packed a whole lot into a few paragraphs, feel free to reread.

Yours in Christ,
Don

kimberly923200 · #5 Oct 20, '09, 1:11 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curious

You know, I've never received that particular sacrament. It's probably not something I'll do for some time. I'm still a little new to this and still have a difficult time applying the words "mental illness" to me.

I have recently prayed that whatever these new symptoms mean, that my psychiatrist will interpret them correctly and just tell me. "I have absolutely no idea" isn't acceptable. There's a lot of things we don't know in medicine, particularly about psych stuff. But believe me, this shouldn't be that hard. Like I said, I like this guy, but even after a year and half I still get a little nervous when I go see him. I think I'm irritated enough now to be able to kind of stand up for myself and tell him how I feel.

Curious

JMJ
Curious,

By all means, don't hold back! Both of you need to keep the lines of communication open, otherwise there could be misunderstandings. I'm praying that your psych problems will be resolved quickly.

Kimberly

19ray42 · #6 Oct 20, '09, 3:47 pm

Hi,my name is ray and i have had a number of psychiatrist,not all of them for the good.I basically had to tell them what worked or didn't and insist on it.a couple of things that helped me a great deal was getting prayed over regularly and really getting into the bible especially where it talks about fear,anxiety,depression,guilt,forgivenes s-especially ourselves-etc..Jesus told us to love our neighbor as ourselves,i found that i had to receive God's LOVE for me to love others and also to forgive myself.I have been through inner healing and has helped me to accept others and myself .I will leave you with two scriptures you are probably aware of-psalm 27 and phillipians 4.GOD'S PERFECT LOVE CAST OUT ALL FEARS! I will pray daily for all of us in this group-love in CHRIST ray.

Curious · #7 Oct 20, '09, 4:36 pm

Welcome 19ray42 and thanks for the post. You're right - I need to be praying about this a lot more and just be assertive with the guy. Like I said, I still get kind of nervous seeing him.

donsnow · #8 Oct 20, '09, 5:00 pm

Hi, Curious and all -

This afternoon, two other things came to me.

Curious, do you get folders with your meds, describing their purpose and side effects and rare/dangerous side effects? When I get my meds from the VA, I get those folders and I read them.
The other thing that came to me was from my cynical/suspicious trend, which came in handy in security work. It was the thought that maybe your psychiatrist did know but said he had no idea for his own reasons.

I have to hold myself in, here. I've been in and out, in and out, etc of recovery scene several times since '90, looking for and finding out what does and does not help me. Also, finding out how much compared to each other of the helpful things help me. That's not very clear. For example, in one recovery group, I obtained 1:1 help for effort applied; in one church, I obtained 1:4 for effort/benefit and in the Catholic church I get a 1:10 return of effort/ benefit gained. That's why I'm so desperate to return to regular mass attendance.

I've also learned that communicating about my issues is a help. Like you, I'm leery of being too trusting, but I think I'm safe, here. I also learned that benefit from sharing is mutual. I benefit and others benefit.

Curious, it is with that intent that I have written to you. I also appreciagte the input of Ray and JMJ.

God loves all of us,
Don

Curious · #9 Oct 20, '09, 6:07 pm

Hey Don,

I'm familiar with my meds, what they're for, their side effects and possible alternatives, etc. In short, I'm reasonably well read about it. It's not like I don't trust my shrink - he's really pretty decent...he just still makes me a little nervous. Kind of like every time I see him I still my first time.

So have you been able to go to mass regularly? I don't know what I would do without mass. I've felt a pull toward the Rosary in recent weeks - it's not exactly my favorite devotion but I believe God wants me to get into it, at least for a time. It's difficult, but I'm working on it.

Curious

donsnow · #10 Oct 21, '09, 9:35 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curious

Hey Don,

I'm familiar with my meds, what they're for, their side effects and possible alternatives, etc. In short, I'm reasonably well read about it. It's not like I don't trust my shrink - he's really pretty decent...he just still makes me a little nervous. Kind of like every time I see him I still my first time.

So have you been able to go to mass regularly? I don't know what I would do without mass. I've felt a pull toward the Rosary in recent weeks - it's not exactly my favorite devotion but I believe God wants me to get into it, at least for a time. It's difficult, but I'm working on it.

Curious

I'm glad you have that information on your meds, it makes a difference. I was nervous around my shrink, at first. Once I learned he wasn't going to put me in the hospital, I could really open up to him. It's a trust issue, like you say.

No, I have yet to return to mass. Over the years, I have watched those things dear to me become desensitized to me. Finally, this condition has reached my church life. I'll return to mass, soon, I think. I enjoy doing the Rosary, when I say one.
The last few days, I've gotten in to the back yard and done some yard work. A little bit exhausts me, but I aim to keep at a little bit every day I can. As my home activities increase, then I should be able to also resume mass attendance.
I aim to discuss this condition with my doctor, the next time I see him.

Thank you, for your prayers.

I owe you an apology: it's not my place to welcome new members and I'll watch myself more carefully, because I am sorry.

God loves you,
Don

kimberly923200 · #11 Oct 21, '09, 1:08 pm

JMJ
Thank you so much, Ray!

Kimberly

kimberly923200 · #12 Oct 21, '09, 1:16 pm

Hi, Don! This is "JMJ." It stands for "Jesus, Mary and Joseph." I have adopted putting it on my posts and emails. Maybe I should put it at the bottom of the post instead. Would that be less confusing?

Yours in Christ,
Kimberly

JMJ

Curious · #13 Oct 21, '09, 2:42 pm

Er..don..it is indeed "your place" to welcome new members and share anything else you want to.

Curious

leeray · #14 Oct 23, '09, 1:10 pm

Hello,
I'm a late comer to this thread but I really just wanted to say how much I live in fear of my Psych. He holds my brain and my freedom in his hand. I've talked to him about my fears and he tried to allay them by saying I would have to be a danger to myself or others, etc. But I just hate the idea that he can cut my drugs off, he just has too much control. I hope that makes sense. He is not a very good Psych. either as I saw him for 9 yrs and it took me throwing a Screaming fit (hadn't slept more than 4 hrs in those 9 yrs) to get the meds I needed and now I sleep, I'm calm, etc. But he should have done something earlier. I guess I don't change because I like the "cocktail" I'm on and he works really well with my husband. If I want any changes, etc. I just bring in my husband. Of course, my husband keeps all the records on me, mood, sleep, med change - so he's a good guy to talk to!
Thank you for listening,
Leeray

Curious · #15 Oct 24, '09, 4:28 pm

Leeray,

I know what you mean about the psychiatrist having control except mine is a bit of a different story.

My guy has control over my work hours and it makes me so angry. It's a long story but there's nothing I can do about it. He won't listen to my arguments at all and my People in Charge at work are dead set on listening to his recommendations. The restrictions are unreasonable. I know myself. And I know they're unreasonable.

One day I'll get whiny and irritable enough to explain the whole stupid mess. I hate that he has that control.

Curious