[still_crazy]

I don't take any controlled substances. I haven't been hospitalized in 9 years (Praise God for that!). I get disability.

Shrinks have cost my parents lotsa $$$ and caused me lots of pain, much of deliberately. Long story..."trouble makers" and "uppity mental patients" get the worst "treatment" (involuntary electroshock, anyone?).

My current label is Bipolar I, but the ex-shrinks call it "schizophrenia," and they're rather vocal about it. When I was electroshocked into oblivion, they said it was NPD--narcissistic personality disorder, apparently so severe that it lead to psychosis (?)--and now that I've "recovered from treatment..." well, they say its "Schizophrenia."

Meanwhile, my current counselor says I was "sick"--genuinely, bona fide, mentally ill--since childhood, and I'm just now stable-ish. Was I "sick," NPD, or just confused? And now? Bipolar I, Schizophrenia, or am I now (by some miracle...) recovered from the old life and just...labeled, because nobody is ever "cured" of anything in Psychiatry-land.

I dunno. I kinda want to quit the community/public mental health clinic and get to a family doctor, if I can. I fell for the whole "we're here to help the under-served population" line, but now I'm beginning to see this clinic as a form of social control, in a big big way. I hail from a "good family" that's taking good care of me, so I get a softer touch and all, but...when I look around the lobby, I don't see many success stories, let's put it that way.

Your thoughts? And thanks for reading, btw.

[Wander]

Only if you think it would benefit you. Basically, they would want you on meds. If you are managing fine then no but if you are really struggling then it may help to see one at least once to get an idea on whether it would help you. Some people do very well on meds. I guess we get a biased view here on PC as most people post when they are not doing well and finding the right meds can be very difficult sometimes. It is good to be open to all options for treatment. Is it your T that is suggesting a psychiatrist? Do you trust him/her?

I don't live in the USA but where I am the public system is difficult with long waits but there still are some great pod's in there. Good luck!

[xRavenx]

If at this point seeing your Primary Care doctor would help you feel more comfortable, then you are perfectly in your right to go that route. The only thing I would keep in mind is Primary Care doctors being limited in their scope and are not willing to prescribe certain medications, but each doctor varies according to their own comfort level.

I can completely understand the whole "social control" aspect and discouragement that it seems nobody is 'cured' according to a lot of these Psychiatrists, especially in mental health clinics. Of course, there are Psychiatrists out there who have a recovery-oriented approach, but it's a matter of finding them. Today, I was labeled by my counselor as "sick starting in childhood." These labels aren't very promising.

I say, go for it, if you'd like to try the primary care doctor route....as long as you feel you are getting enough care. There's always the option of finding a regular Psychiatrist again, if you feel the need. Just my two cents.

[still_crazy]

thanks. I have 1 more appointment with this psychiatrist at the clinic before he goes away ((private practice)). I like my counselor, but..wow. A lot of the people at this clinic (we're called "clients" now..."recovery model," supposedly...) are doing tele-psychiatry. Its where you sit in a room with a hi-def webcam and have a session with a shrink somewhere in the state, and then they get your prescriptions to a pharmacy electronically. The other option would be to try to get with the --1-- psychiatrist on staff, in the building, who works for the state as a permanent employee...and hope that person doesn't jump ship, too.

[xRavenx]

Originally Posted by still_crazy

thanks. I have 1 more appointment with this psychiatrist at the clinic before he goes away ((private practice)). I like my counselor, but..wow. A lot of the people at this clinic (we're called "clients" now..."recovery model," supposedly...) are doing tele-psychiatry. Its where you sit in a room with a hi-def webcam and have a session with a shrink somewhere in the state, and then they get your prescriptions to a pharmacy electronically. The other option would be to try to get with the --1-- psychiatrist on staff, in the building, who works for the state as a permanent employee...and hope that person doesn't jump ship, too.

Whoa, telepsychiatry is a new one for me! I don't know how I'd feel about that. I guess it's an idea I would just need to get used to. I also noticed at these clinics (or even 'professionals' in practice), are calling people "consumers." I'm not going there to buy a frikkin vacuum cleaner!

Anyway, trust your gut and do what feels best for you as far as your treatment goes.

[Sunflower123]

Originally Posted by xRavenx

Whoa, telepsychiatry is a new one for me! I don't know how I'd feel about that. I guess it's an idea I would just need to get used to. I also noticed at these clinics (or even 'professionals' in practice), are calling people "consumers." I'm not going there to buy a frikkin vacuum cleaner!

Anyway, trust your gut and do what feels best for you as far as your treatment goes.

There is an app you can get called Dr on Demand (created by Dr. Phil go figure) where you can see a medical doctor, psychiatrist and psychologist via computer or cell phone and get meds called in. Innovative for sure but I've never tried it so don't know how good it is.

[Sunflower123]

Originally Posted by still_crazy

thanks. I have 1 more appointment with this psychiatrist at the clinic before he goes away ((private practice)). I like my counselor, but..wow. A lot of the people at this clinic (we're called "clients" now..."recovery model," supposedly...) are doing tele-psychiatry. Its where you sit in a room with a hi-def webcam and have a session with a shrink somewhere in the state, and then they get your prescriptions to a pharmacy electronically. The other option would be to try to get with the --1-- psychiatrist on staff, in the building, who works for the state as a permanent employee...and hope that person doesn't jump ship, too.

I'm sorry you're having a tough time and wish you luck in getting to where you need to go.

[bioChE]

Going off meds can be an option for some. I know there is a tendency in this country (and maybe the world?) to slap on a diagnosis and meds to people who may just be going through a rough patch in their personal life. If you do go this route and either go off meds or get your GP to prescribe, just be very careful. The best treatment is to get you back on your feet and functioning with the least amount of intervention possible by the medical community.