What do you think about your psychologist, psychiatrist, mental health provider?

My attitude towards my psychiatrist has improved a lot over the past couple of years all though technically I see a nurse practitioner.  When I moved to he Plattsburgh area from Troy, NY the place that I go for care was in a very difficult way and was struggling to keep a full-time psychiatrist.  As a result of that I was never seeing the same person twice   It was a very frustrating experience not to be able to build any kind or relationship with my doctor, because it was always a new doctor.  Constantly starting from scratch I would go to this place 4 times a year to play 20 questions with someone new and they were always the same questions, like the guy could not be bothered to read a case file.  When were you first hospitalized? When were you diagnosed? Do you drink? Do you smoke marijuana? Do you drive yourself? Any family in the area?  The worst part of it was that I felt I was constantly fighting to stay on the same medications, as it seemed every doctor wanted to try something new or at least something different.  The medications I was taking were not working great but I was functional, my life was liveable.  I am not sure that I would be able to live as well on powerful drugs like Risperdal, or Invega.  In fact I am pretty sure I can't.  I demanded to see the nurse practitioner so that I could at least see the same person every visit.  And the eventually granted my request.  My medications have improved slightly and I still function well.  If something is wrong, than yes I can discuss it with him and he listens well.  Got me on something new, called Vraylar.

@UnschathedSpade7 I absolutely hear your frustration when switching doctors or going / trying out a new one. I hate having to relive everything when choosing to see a different doctor, but I understand it is part of that choice, but having to do it out of not "wanting to," but because they cant keep a doctor is worse frustration.

I am glad you have found luck with a nurse practictioner.

I just moved and have an appointment with a doctor on March 21 - new doctor, so we will see. I am hoping to try a different medication because Lexapro is not working and it makes me drowsy, so hopefully she has some better recommendation. My previous psychiatrist office I too was seeing a nruse practitioner. She was nice and good and quick, but she talked about her self a lot and her life and great things she was doing ... Any question she asked me woudl turn into her talking about herself... so that was frustrating to me.

whatistheissue yes I can see how frustrating that would be to see a professional that focuses on herself rather than the patient.  Like hearing about how great her life is treating her is helpful to you somehow.  You are the patient and the focus should be on you.  Some people are like that and try to make everything about themselves, but I never had a healthcare professional behave in such a self-centered way towards me.  Lexapro I tried a long time ago and can't remember why I stopped taking it.  When I see a doctor a or a practitioner I typically just want my scripts refilled and really do not look to them to solve any of my problems.  I have been doing this a long time and don't really expect them to do such.  As long as my medications are sorted out that is all I really go there for.

@UnschathedSpade7 what do you take now? I saw the medicine you took but it seems to be more for bipolar/schizophrenia. Do you take anything else for the depression aspect?

I too take lexapro but looking to change to something stronger or better. 

I have a great team working with me now.  My psychiatrist handles my meds and let's me see him weekly.  Sometimes I have questions, concerns etc and he answers them.  My psychologist works with me on therapy.  She's awesome but sometimes she does take some of my time telling me things.  It actually is funny to know she has problems like we do.  She tells how she handles things and says there's nothing wrong with it.  I see her weekly also.  Sometime soon she's gonna retire and I have panic attacks, fear of abandonment issues she actually made a decision not to retire this year.  She also gave me her cell number, I never call her, probably could if I was in crisis but, she lets me text her anything anytime.  She may not respond but I know she's read them prior to our next visit.

rcc0088 I take about 16 milligrams of perphenazine and have a few sample packets of a new drug called Vraylar.  I have schizophrenia yes but as far as I or anyone else can tell I am not depressed.  The few antidepressants that I have tried only made me feel worse, and now I tend to avoid them.  I guess for a paranoid guy I am relatively happy lol.

@tammiorw69 that is amazing that you have a great team.

I have not yet found success with any psychiatrist yet that I trully feel cares about me.

@tammiorw69 me too! I recently changed to a different psychiatrist - about 2 weeks ago - and she took the time to listen to me and has made a plan of action for me to slowly get off Lexapro which I have been on for years without ever really feeling a benefit - only more tired - and to being Celexa with later adding Buprotin (not sure about the spelling). She truly listened to me about my complaints which are the depression but in addition to some nerve pain which makes the depression worse. It was so nice to have someone listen to me instead of just sending me out with the same prescription.

I am only about 1 week and 1/2 with taking 1/2 of my final dosage of Celexa and 4 weeks away from adding Buprotin, but I am hopeful for the first time in a long time!

Hello everyone,

How are you today? Have you seen this older discusssion?

Following our latest article, Psychiatrist vs. Psychologist: What’s the difference and which is right for you?, I thought I would revive this discussion.

Who did you go to for help with your mental health condition? Did you see a psychologist, a psychiatrist, a counselor? What do you think? Do you feel like he or she listens to you and truly understands what you're going through? What do you think makes a good mental health provider?
@StönedPilöt‍ @Eric70‍ @Aprild101‍ @Tlaylor‍ @Talluha‍ @Natesmom15‍ @JeannaE‍ @Bgoble‍ @LilRed69‍ @hismommy1820‍ @irishroses35‍ @JoyFerrell‍ @Natesmom15‍ @acarboni25‍ @Bobba1‍ @CatsPajama5‍‍ @Yomomma‍ @dmaher13492‍ @Purplesloth78‍ 

Feel free to share here!

Take care,
Courtney

My current provider just got fired. I felt as though she wasn’t understanding and she just pushed different meds on me when Effexor and ability worked fine for my bipolar and anxiety. I also have adhd and we tried straterra and Wellbutrin. Neither helped. So I’m currently not taking anything for adhd at the moment and I’m on Effexor and vraylar. Which I still get manic with vraylar. She switched me because I told her I got manic but I forgot to take my meds a few days and then felt fine so didn’t take for a few more days and became manic. I scheduled an appt with another doctor and will see them this week. I’m hoping I get treatment for my adhd and I can stay of Effexor and get back on abilify.