Thanks. Many things. I agree that lithium is not a small thing at all. I have known people who were put on it and though it helped them, they ended up with kidney disease, even shunts and dialysis. Not saying that would happen to me, but it is a heavy metal and does do harm. Plus I generally don't take meds if there are alternatives. Ironically, my T also generally does not want to put people on meds but get them off meds. So even though an MD, he does therapy primarily. That he is pushing pills is not like him.

That brings me to the stress in his life. He told me because it was affecting the way we work. I know him well, knew something was different, got upset at lots of changes in scheduling, availability, rules, etc. so he finally took out a session (which he didn't charge me for) to explain a family medical emergency.

While I am trying to be understanding of that, it also really sucks that it is happening when I have all of this going on and it is affecting our work and his judgment. He is sorta turning toward meds I think because he can't put in the therapy hours like before. Still, it's not right and hard to confront him about it.

I have asked him for referrals, but he has given me people in his close circle, who I sometimes see when he is away and are not really affordable. I did see someone else for a while for extra support, thought it was covered for DV compensation, but then I had to stop because my claim was denied. The police came, but they never filed reports so the letter I got said there wasn't evidence. Kinda stuck there. I can't take on the police either, but really don't get how they could come and not make reports?

Anyway, my T does have lots of experience so it's not that he doesn't know what he is doing. It is that he is getting it mixed up and not taking in all the external factors. I can't really afford to seek out a second opinion right now. I've lost a huge amount of money being a caregiver and don't make enough to replenish that loss. I'm just making ends meet, sorta day to day, and things are tight.

I did request a new physician due to menopause and DV, but don't see her till March. Unfortunately, I think that I have to just wait this out.