Bad experience with the psychiatrist today!

Well I went to the p doc today to discuss my issues on the lexapro and it did not go too well. He basically made me feel as though I was contradicting myself and that my issues are not going to be solved with medication. At one point he even said why are you here! Seriously? ? I'm at a loss and obsessing over this now. I ran up his time so I'm to see him next week to make a decision as to what to do. I went in feeling hopeful and came out feeling like garbage. I don't know what to do!!!!!

If you can, it's time to find another pdoc, ASAP!
What a jerk!
jl

I know right? ? I'm supposed to go back on Monday to tell him what I'd like to do, but I'd like to tell him a few more things! Thing is, I was expecting him to guide me in the direction I needed, not have me guide myself. I can do that all on my own. He is pushing the cbt big time and I am doing that in Sept, but in the meantime, what do I do?? What if he's right and I wont get better with medication . He's secured this doubt in my head that was already there.

I'm certainly not knocking CBT and if a person can get by with little or no medication, I say that's wonderful!! I know that sometimes doctors hate to prescribe some anxiety meds b/c they're seen as a "quick fix" that is only temporary and it thus discourages the patient from working at getting better. I can see their point on one level, but there has to be a lot of factors taken into consideration in each individual case. And then, what if the patient does not master the CBT after a long while, despite sincerely trying?
I know that I do try to breathe deeply and reason with myself and keep on remembering that "this too shall pass". I also try to ride out the fear, no matter how much I want to run back home! But I must say that back in the early 90's when I was first dealing with my worst anxiety, I really do not think I would've made it without the medication! Xanax was a lifesaver for me!
It really makes my blood boil to know that some of these mental health practitioners have no idea just how hard it is to suffer from severe anxiety! They act like we're being melodramatic sometimes. It reminds me of a man telling a woman that giving birth can't be all that painful...!! If you haven't walked in someone's shoes, then do not judge how they feel and that should include doctors! This is how your doctor sounds to me!
I don't actually see a doctor at the clinic, but a nurse practitioner. She's been very good about listening and trying to help me as much as she can. Unfortunately, the mental health clinic I go to won't prescribe benzos, so she's having to try all sorts of other meds on me. :(
I sure do wish you well!
janet

I am very careful about telling people to change doctors, because believe me you can get worse.

I was in another forum and the Psychiatrist I am seeing now, I really didn't care for him at first, he intimidated me, even though I know that was not his intention, so when I expressed my feelings about him in another forum they told me to switch doctors, so I thought would could it hurt I will try one closer, it was horrible, it was like a 3rd world country doctors office.

So I was like I will tough it out with my doctor, when I went to see my Psychiatrist he was like I see you've had prescriptions filled for , blah blah blah, who is this doctor, so I told him why I was trying someone else, well trying new doctors doesn't go over well in the Psychiatry business, my doctor told me, "this will be our last visit, I will give you enough refills, but I can't have you trying other doctors under my care, If something were to happen to you it would be my responsibility" Needless to say I started bawling, had no clue you couldn't "test run" Psychiatrists, so my doctor being the compassionate man that he is said he would give me another chance, If I ever take any Psychiatric drugs from another doctor that would be the end of our time together.

So I stuck with him, and he is an amazing man, very compassionate, when he saw me cry it actually hurt him, and he gave me another chance.

So what I'm saying is be certain that you want to change Psychiatrists when and if you do, because the other one might not take you back.

I'm just so glad to have you all as support. I can't tell you enough how much it means to me to know I'm not alone. I woke up in the early morning with panic and my thoughts are consumed with what was said in the session. Here in Canada, when we need a psychiatrist, we are referred by our family doctor. It takes upwards of 6 months to get an appointment! ! If I were to change doctors, I would have to wait another several months. I can't afford the astronomical fees to see one out of pocket, so I have to use the referral method so that my insurance covers it. Also when you see a psychiatrist here, the visit is not really about talking out issues, rather it's about deciding a course of action. He thinks meds are not my answer and cbt will be. Maybe he thinks I'm not as bad as some others he sees and that I'm wasting my time on meds?? I don't know but I know I'll be obsessing over this until I see him again. I will see him next week and I am going to tell him how he made me feel. I owe it to myself to stand up for my mental health and that's what I've been trying to do since last year. Initially I thought he was great, but I think maybe he feels as if he just can't help me. When I asked him about paxil or prozac, he just shook his head and said "you've already been on the best 4 meds and they haven't helped" .Ok I was on celexa for years and yes it did help. Then Zoloft (generic) didn't. Then Effexor which helped and now lexapro, which clearly isn't perfect. So really 2 of the 4 were doing some good. Does he not believe that it's a trial and error process? Ugh I'm angry ranting. Oh and he even went ad far as to say, that even if I went back on effexor that it may not work. Again a huge fear confirmed. I just don t know what to do.

C.P.

So sorry to hear this.:( It may be time to go 'doctor shopping' (not as fun as shoes...but more important!)

You deserve to feel understood and supported by your P-doc. You need somone to help you outline a plan, and reach your goals. If this guy isn't making you feel confident in his ability to help you, you may have to look elsewhere.

Keep us updated, okay?

S.C.