I think it is hard to find a good psychiatrist.

I’m on pdoc #4 in 3 years.

The first one left the practice and went out on his own. I got laid off and he doesn’t take my insurance offered by my new employer.

The second one was a jerk. That was my first impression and it stuck. Just plain not caring and condescending. He explained nothing unless pressed. He was mean to me on the phone when I had to call for help. He was good at what he did. He was voted one of the best doctors by his peers. He also left to go out on his own.

The third one was so busy, I couldn’t get a reasonable follow up appointment. His practice was around treating terminal patients for depression and anxiety, not patients like me.

I like my current doctor. She really cares and is nice on the phone when I have to call for help. She takes time to explain things and drugs and side effects. I accept what she has to say.

How is your pdoc?

[HALLIEBETH87]

My current is great! He's always right on target to treat episodes instead of making me suffer lol

I've gone through a lot more tdocs than pdocs. Over the last 12 years I've had about 9 tdocs to only 3 pdocs, excluding a pdoc I saw only once at university. My first pdoc was so-so. I will give him credit for diagnosing me with bipolar disorder. Eventually he stopped taking my insurance so I tried someone else. There was no love loss. The second pdoc sucked. Stiff and very unfriendly. He eventually "fired me" because the tdoc that was also from that practice "fired me" because I did some things when full blown manic that were, well, scary and disobedient.

My third and final pdoc is one of the most wonderful men I've ever met in my entire life, other than my husband. I adore him. He knows I adore him. And I believe he has a soft spot for me, too. I've been going to him for 12 years now. He is getting old and has decreased his patient load, but told me he will always keep me. I became overjoyed when he said he never plans to retire. When he eventually has to stop (or if I have to move away), I'll be devastated. He's sweet, intelligent, knows my case extremely well, returns my calls the same day, always manages to fit me in quickly for emergency appointments, and even handles some of the billing crap for me. I utterly look forward to seeing him, and have told him that many times either in words or smiles. My husband knows I have a huge crush on my pdoc. I don't care that he is an out-of-network pdoc. He's worth every penny. As for my crush, I don't care that he is 26 years older than me. He's ultra caring, a cool man, handsome, and has a mellifluous voice. He has kept me out of the hospital for the last 8 years because of his special care. I have never even shaken his hand, but someday if I get a chance I want to give him a huge hug. Maybe if I have to move away he'll let me. I know I'll be crying and crying and crying. For many years I've seen him and talked to him more than my own father. To be honest, as strange as this seems, he is almost like a substitute for my mother whom I lost shortly before meeting him for the first time (he was my psychiatrist during my first hospitalization, but then he only became my private psychiatrist a year later after the second bozo pdoc I mentioned above).

[Sunflower123]

I went through some real jokes before I came across my current one about 15 years ago. Our sessions last 50 minutes and he wants to know all about my illness and my life. I’ve credited him with keeping me alive many times. He even called to check on me once when he was on vacation out of the country.

He’s really good and I’m blessed to have him. He’s easy to get ahold of and is very intelligent and really listens to my ideas.

[Victoria'smom]

First pdoc- Hated her because of that we couldn't work together
2nd- Excellent but we both moved
3rd- Knowledgeable but it felt like I was going to the principal
4th- Short term she did okay
5th- saw him twice thought he could really get me stable then he left
6th- He's just weird he'd be my IP dr. if I went in so there's no use for IP now. He doesn't take calls. I feel I'm under medicated and alone.

[graystreet]

My very first one years ago was awesome, now he just works inpatient. My second one and I were both women with strong personalities and we butt heads a lot, but she was alright. I think somewhere through the years she got overwhelmed with my case and just started piling meds onto me. After my last hospitalization, they sent me to another clinic in the same system, and I have a nurse practitioner. I liked her at first, however I do not like her at all, now. It's not her practice, it's her personality. She will keep me waiting 20-30 minutes past my appointment time which hey, once or twice, I understand. But when you're running behind every time? So yeah, she'll complain that she's running behind, then talk at me off topic when I'm in the office, then when I start to talk to her--on topic--she gets an impatient look on her face and keeps glancing at the clock. Like, are you for real? It's 4pm (I always come in late in the day); I'm not the reason you're behind, lady!

When she called in the wrong formulation of my Wellbutrin, and I ended up a) wasting money because I didn't realize it was wrong until I got home and looked at the pills b) not being able to have any meds for almost a month because insurance wouldn't fill another script for Wellbutrin so soon, I said enough with her. I don't know exactly how to find another pdoc (with this clinic/with my insurance), but I haven't gotten around to looking yet. The clinic still fills my prescriptions. I will eventually call and talk to them.

[Guiness187055]

Love him great doctor

[BipolaRNurse]

I have a good pdoc who really knows his bipolar stuff. He's personable and I think he likes me as a person as well as a patient. But no one will ever live up to my first one. I call him Dr. Awesomesauce. He studied me thoroughly and knew me through and through, and we adored each other. There was never any question about who was the doctor and who wasn't, but he often let me in on his life and we'd trade funny stories about college, colonoscopies and families. He was smart, funny, thoughtful, philosophical, and he cared more about being a doctor than material rewards. He saw me when he knew I couldn't pay. He was conservative about prescribing meds, but always gave me just what I needed at a given time. He even gave me free therapy over the phone.

I miss him so much. He left the clinic and went into private practice, and I hope he's doing well. He doesn't take Medicare so I had to stop seeing him, otherwise I would have followed him to his new office. But I'm very lucky that I have Dr. Goodenough now, so I really can't complain too much. He's good about returning calls too and never fails to call in my medications when needed. And he knows bipolar better than Dr. A, who was never sure which kind of BP I had. (I was diagnosed with bipolar 1 in the hospital and have since received the same diagnosis from three more providers, including Dr. G.) I hope that when my family and I move to Texas in a couple of years, I don't have trouble finding another good doctor.

[rwwff]

I'm pleased with my first so far; she was willing to let me manage outside a hospital on that first contact with just depakote and the amount of insight I had left (10 day follow ups though...) Very much appreciated that, as the disruption could have been epic! lol.

Since then the meds have worked and I do have a separate therapist. She doesn't rush me out of the office, but I'm usually in a hurry to get in and out, so I doubt I would want a long appointment.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Mine is wonderful. My former therapist arranged for her to see me without going through her wait list when my clinical trial visits ended and she is perfect for me. She listens and trusts me but pushes when needed. My visits are scheduled for an hour but usually are closer to 90 minutes and as much as 2 hours when things were really bad. When I'm IP she keeps up with what is going on and gives feedback to the hospital pdocs. I've been seeing her for 15 years and hope she doesn't retire for many, many more years.

[UpDownAround]

REally happy. She is knowledgeable, listens to me and goes with my suggestion unless she has a good reason not to and explains it. She is close to my age, maybe a little older but same generation. That helps with communication.

[~Christina]

1st was great, with him 6 years.

I moved and 2nd one seems good , she listens.

Moving back and hope I can get back in with my first one.

[bluemountains]

My current pdoc is really good. She is always available through email or phone when I need to get in touch with her. Also, she will work me in if I need to see her the same day if she's working.
Before this one, I had one who I absolutely loved. She provided all of the same care that I currently have, but also her personality made her so open and caring, much more than any doctor that I have ever worked with. She moved away, but took a lot of time beforehand to prepare me to work with my current pdoc. After three years, I still hold out hope that she and her husband will decide decide to relocate back to our area.
Bluemountains

[tsrc78]

I absolutely hate my current pdoc. Every time I see her she talks to me for about a minute total, and spends 14 minutes typing on her computer, interjecting to say something to me occasionally, all while sitting at the computer. I wonder what the eff she is typing, since she only speaks about 3 sentences to me. She is the third one I've had since I moved to this city 2 1/2 years ago. I liked first one, about 25 minutes away, but of course he left. Also liked the therapist there. Then I had to travel 50 minutes to see another one in the practice, who I didn't care for, because they never filled the other position. I could not afford to keep driving 50 minutes for medication management and 25 minutes for therapy, so I found both in town. And a pdoc I hate. The problem is the therapist here is the best one I have ever had, and I've been through countless therapists in my life. She is very goal oriented and encourages me to be insightful about my behavior, which is great for me. But I have to keep this pdoc if I want to see this therapist. I go back and forth about contacting the other practice to see if they finally hired a replacement for my pdoc who left.

And this sounds terrible, but I wish I could see an MD level psychiatrist. I normally prefer PAs for general medical care (the pdoc who left was a PA) but I feel my illness is so complicated, I need a psychiatrist. In the 10 years I've been diagnosed with bipolar, after spending the previous 10 years being diagnosed with just depression and anxiety, I have never actually seen a psychiatrist. I saw a NP for a while, PAs, and the current pdoc I hate is a Doctor of NP - I thought she was actually a psychiatrist when I scheduled with her. I know there are great NPs out there and terrible MDs, but after over 2 1/2 years of instability, and not much stability before (although I was much better than now), ultra rapid cycling, mixed episodes, dangerous behaviors when both manic and depressed, and an inability to take antidepressants due to them making me manic - I really want to see a psychiatrist. They are hard to come by in this area, but I might need to find one somewhere. I've been spinning my wheels for awhile.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Originally Posted by tsrc78

- I really want to see a psychiatrist. They are hard to come by in this area, but I might need to find one somewhere. I've been spinning my wheels for awhile.

I drive 2.5 hours each way to see my pdoc and have for many years. It's totally worth it; there are no pdocs near here that I am willing to see and the next largest city I couldn't find anyone willing to take a bipolar patient. I'm still on the "waiting list" for one but it's been 14.5 years so I'm thinking they aren't going to call. The time and money for the trip is annoying but a good doctor makes the rest of my life so much better.

[tsrc78]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

I drive 2.5 hours each way to see my pdoc and have for many years. It's totally worth it; there are no pdocs near here that I am willing to see and the next largest city I couldn't find anyone willing to take a bipolar patient. I'm still on the "waiting list" for one but it's been 14.5 years so I'm thinking they aren't going to call. The time and money for the trip is annoying but a good doctor makes the rest of my life so much better.

Thank you. I never cared for my current pdoc, but when I actually tracked the time she spent talking to me, versus me sitting their awkwardly while she typed away, it made me livid. I probably wouldn't have minded the 50 minute drive to Raleigh, NC if I actually liked that pdoc. She was also a PA, but too judgmental and conservative with meds than I would have preferred. But there has got to be a psychiatrist in that city worth making the drive.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I also suggest finding a teaching hospital. So wouldn't that include Duke and UNC in the Raleigh area (don't know the geography that well so I may be way off there)? My hospital website lets you search for pdocs specializing in ______ and then you can request an appointment with whomever seems right for you. Sometimes it takes a while to get in but waiting has been worth it in the other departments (I followed my pdoc in from private practice so didn't have to wait for her). I totally agree you should have someone who listens. I had a pdoc like yours years ago and she cost me at least a year of treatment and misery because she didn't think it was possible to be as sick as I was in the job I had, so my "I am doing awful" was translated to "patient reports slight fatigue but is functioning normally". Functioning normally would mean going to bed in filthy scrubs and eating cold chef-boy-r-dee because I couldn't make meals. It was bad and when I finally realized how awful she was (she threw me into mania with an AD) I got into a clinical trial and then when that was over my pdoc. Clinical trials are also a good way to meet really good doctors and get referrals if you feel comfortable with it. I'm glad I did it but once was enough.

[boogiesmash]

I’ve only had two pdocs. First one was good, she listened took notes and explained why she was giving me change in medicine, increasing, decreasing dosage, etc. Along with my t, she also recommended I go php. When I met with the pdoc in the facility, he recommended iop and it is where I am now. I do like him too as I meet regularly about every two weeks and he too, explains, recommends etc.
When I do get discharged I am going to try to find someone local. My first was great but it was about an 80 miles round trip. The iop pdoc recommended someone about two miles away I will try to get in with. Hopefully he will be like the other two.

[tsrc78]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

I also suggest finding a teaching hospital. So wouldn't that include Duke and UNC in the Raleigh area (don't know the geography that well so I may be way off there)? My hospital website lets you search for pdocs specializing in ______ and then you can request an appointment with whomever seems right for you. Sometimes it takes a while to get in but waiting has been worth it in the other departments (I followed my pdoc in from private practice so didn't have to wait for her). I totally agree you should have someone who listens. I had a pdoc like yours years ago and she cost me at least a year of treatment and misery because she didn't think it was possible to be as sick as I was in the job I had, so my "I am doing awful" was translated to "patient reports slight fatigue but is functioning normally". Functioning normally would mean going to bed in filthy scrubs and eating cold chef-boy-r-dee because I couldn't make meals. It was bad and when I finally realized how awful she was (she threw me into mania with an AD) I got into a clinical trial and then when that was over my pdoc. Clinical trials are also a good way to meet really good doctors and get referrals if you feel comfortable with it. I'm glad I did it but once was enough.

We are about 50 minutes east of Raleigh, so Durham would be about 75 minutes and Chapel Hill closer to 90 minutes one way. But if I am going to have to go to Duke for a neurologist soon, I probably do need to just suck it up and drive to Duke or UNC, it would only be once a month. I didn't even think about a pdoc at a teaching hospital, it could be so worth it. And I still have someone I can see until then. Although I hate her, she is still doing something to manage my meds. Thanks.

[annielovesbacon]

I saw my first pdoc for about a year, he was very condescending. I would tell him a medicine wasn't helping my depression, and he would say, "Well what are you expecting it to do? It won't magically make you happy." like no s--t, but i feel like being able to get out of bed and go to work is not asking for much...
I just started seeing my new pdoc two weeks ago. He is nice and he listens, although he talked over me once which irritated me. But I talk over others sometimes so it would only bother me if he continues to do it. He has a tendency to chuckle when talking about uncomfortable things (for instance, he laughed as he told me that anorexia is the most fatal mental illness) which is super odd but whatever. As far as giving me information about medication and listening to me when I talk about my symptoms, which is the whole point of why I see him, I like him.

[annielovesbacon]

Originally Posted by tsrc78

I absolutely hate my current pdoc. Every time I see her she talks to me for about a minute total, and spends 14 minutes typing on her computer, interjecting to say something to me occasionally, all while sitting at the computer. I wonder what the eff she is typing, since she only speaks about 3 sentences to me.

My first pdoc was like this too. He would spend half of our 30 minutes chatting about his or my personal life, and then ask me like one question about my mood and then type for like 10 minutes. I don't understand what he could have been writing.

[tsrc78]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

I also suggest finding a teaching hospital. So wouldn't that include Duke and UNC in the Raleigh area (don't know the geography that well so I may be way off there)? My hospital website lets you search for pdocs specializing in ______ and then you can request an appointment with whomever seems right for you. Sometimes it takes a while to get in but waiting has been worth it in the other departments (I followed my pdoc in from private practice so didn't have to wait for her). I totally agree you should have someone who listens. I had a pdoc like yours years ago and she cost me at least a year of treatment and misery because she didn't think it was possible to be as sick as I was in the job I had, so my "I am doing awful" was translated to "patient reports slight fatigue but is functioning normally". Functioning normally would mean going to bed in filthy scrubs and eating cold chef-boy-r-dee because I couldn't make meals. It was bad and when I finally realized how awful she was (she threw me into mania with an AD) I got into a clinical trial and then when that was over my pdoc. Clinical trials are also a good way to meet really good doctors and get referrals if you feel comfortable with it. I'm glad I did it but once was enough.

To follow up, I just had a "duh" moment: one of my high school classmates did her psychiatry residency at Duke, I could message her and ask about any bipolar specialists she knows there who are good. Even though I feel like crap because my illness has gotten so bad I can't work full time, sometimes I forget I graduated high school from the NC School of Science and Math, I know a lot of doctors! My senior prom date is a psychiatrist in another state, and he helped me understand more about the psychotropic genetic testing I had done. LOL. Funny, but depressing at the same time.

[tsrc78]

Originally Posted by annielovesbacon

My first pdoc was like this too. He would spend half of our 30 minutes chatting about his or my personal life, and then ask me like one question about my mood and then type for like 10 minutes. I don't understand what he could have been writing.

Seriously, what ARE they typing for so long?! Once I find a new pdoc, and have my last appointment with her, I am just going to come out and ask her what the hell is she doing. It can't take that long to write notes when you know nothing about how I'm doing, lol.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

That's great! I hope she has great suggestions and knowing you she should be able to make a great recommendation. Don't rule out DOs. Min is one and I think it is part of what makes her sit there for 90-120 minutes every month going through my entire life with me.

[tsrc78]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

That's great! I hope she has great suggestions and knowing you she should be able to make a great recommendation. Don't rule out DOs. Min is one and I think it is part of what makes her sit there for 90-120 minutes every month going through my entire life with me.

What is a DO? When I left my last city the psych practice hired someone who was a DO and I had no idea what that was.