[TwoGlassEyes]

So today I found out that my psych closed my file because I hadn't been to see her since July...but that was only because my meds were working. Why should I go to the doctor if my meds are working? So I go today to make an appointment because I've lost her number and the hospital switchboard operators take some kind of illiteracy test to work the phones, and they said my file's closed and the only way to get back to see a psychiatrist at the hospital was to go to the emergency room and commit myself, or go the long way of getting refered by my gp. Yay! What the **** am I supposed to do? Psychiatrists are really really few and far between in my city, and I need a long term psych not one at the hospital who only focuses on doping you up so your syptoms don't bug you. I need someone who will medicate me and talk me through my problems, giving me coping strategies to help myself. I don't know what to do here. Any advice guys, please?

[BNLsMOM]

I would say since your meds have been working to go the gp route. It's a pain, but if you can get the referral to your old psych, maybe you could then call the office directly and get in a bit sooner.

If you are in danger or in crisis, then the ER is the best route. They can set you up with a long term doctor after you leave inpatient.

I hope it works out positively for you. I don't know what the red tape is like in Canada, but here in my part of the US it can take a long time to get an appointment.

Good luck.

[Ascension]

I agree with BLNLsMOM. If you don't need, want or can't (in my case I can't agoraphobia makes it hard) to go to therapy then I would think that a general practitioner is a good idea. Psychiatrist is generally a doctor trained in human behavior and they use medicines to treat your illness. They are primarily trained to understand the biological issues that cause the imbalance. A Psychologist is a doctor trained to treat the behavior and the spiritual, emotional, intellectual aspects of the patient. They have similarities and their techniques overlap but they are different. Think one is into the social aspect and one into medical/biological. If you don't need therapeutic processes then I would recommend a general practitioner. But in closing pursue what works for you. If you need or want to go to a pdoc then ask your general practitioner to refer you to another one maybe. The process needs to work with you so find a program that does. You deserve it.

[Moose72]

Its the same here. You'd think they'd give you a call to warn you or something. Grr. I agree that, unless you NEED the PER, the GP is the best route.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Moose72

Its the same here. You'd think they'd give you a call to warn you or something.

They certainly should have.

http://biotech.law.lsu.edu/books/lbb/x226.htm

[lonegael]

Oh dear. Is it possible for you to drop him/her a note? Correspondance generally doesn't take up valuable appointment time and you might get some chance there tio see if you can get some help from the pdoc. Huggs

[lorna]

This is gonna sound like wierd advise but I would go back to the psychiatrist office and tell them you want to continue to see him/her and that you need them. If you find that you aren't gettin the counselling you need, maybe a psychologist is a better route, and there isn't as much waitin as long as you have coverage.

[NuckingFutz]

Sounds like everyone has good advice to hook you back up with meds. For future reference and to answer your question, you go back to your pdoc when your meds are working to get a refill so you can stay on those meds. Those prescriptions all run out eventually. What had you planned to do once there were no more refills? I hope you can get in somewhere before your meds run out. Good luck!