Quote:
Originally Posted by kaileysaccount
How do I go about finding one? Before, it was my mother who set these things up for me. And then it was my doctor. I don't even remember the name of the woman I saw last time (she was awful and I wasted my time going to see her) Where do I go to look for things like that? Also what is the difference between a therapist and a psychiatrist? I never really got that...
And I can't go to the ER. I can't do inpatient anything. Absolutely not an option. I am in the last half of my last semester of school, and I can't do anything to mess this up or mess up my job opportunities.
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A psychiatrist has an MD and can prescribe meds. A therapist has either a masters degree or PhD and does therapy, cannot prescribe meds although some of them will recommend meds which can be prescribed by a cooperative primary care doctor (I find that sketchy though. I don't think a therapist usually knows enough about medication risks and side effects to safely manage them. I'd do it that way short term in an urgent situation if I trusted my primary care doc).
Your school should definitely have a clinic you can go to in order to get a referral and get in to see someone quickly. Likely you'll see a physician assistant or nurse practitioner rather than an MD. They are usually pretty good but be CLEAR with them that you need to see a psychiatrist - MD - as soon as possible. You will probably know more about your condition than they do and the clearer you make that, the faster they are likely to realize they can't manage you and you need to get to the psychiatrist ASAP. Be as clear and proactive as you can. Just act like you know what you're doing and it will probably work out!