I do think it depends on the psychiatrist, but I do find that far too many are indeed cold, condescending, and with little bedside manner, as you said, MsSunflower. Especially psychiatrists under maybe 60 years old. But also like you, I happen to have a good psychiatrist. I've had the same great psychiatrist for about 14 years now. The sad thing is that my husband and I may move in a few years. Even if we don't, my psychiatrist is getting old. He says he has no plans to retire, but at 74 years old, plans change.

From what I've read, far too many people get only 5 to 15 mins with their psychiatrist or very infrequent appointments, no matter a patient's mental state...and are hard to reach. I can't even imagine so little time or so little care. It's wrong, in my view, especially for a psychiatrist. Psychiatric patients should not be on an assembly line. Really, no one should be.

Q: If you could make any change to your psychiatrist's service, what would it be?