[xRavenx]

I have a new therapist who is working at the same office as my Psychiatrist. They both exchange notes, and I'm a little concerned about privacy. Sometimes I do not want my pdoc involved in my therapy, because I don't want my meds changed based on what I share. The therapist said it wouldn't, unless some serious information is shared.

I've been depressed and anxious over the past 2 weeks. It is getting worse and worse. Past 2 days, I've had passive SI and some other thoughts/urges. I am very irritable, feel like a burden, question whether the people around me really care (or do they just say that they do without backing it up through their actions). I have work tomorrow, and I just had a break. But I do not feel ready to go back and almost feel like I had forgotten to do my job.

Does anyone else have both their T and pdoc work at the same place? I am on the fence about how I feel about this arrangement. I'm especially nervous about meds being changed abruptly and having to deal with something new that causes more harm than good with the side effects.

[~Christina]

My Pdoc and T are in the same office. I've never had my T alert my Pdoc unless I was struggling enough that we both decided that my meds need adjusted. I will say that its been helpful in actually getting me a pdoc appt quicker.

Ask your T what info they would feel is a need to pull your Pdoc into play.

Hopefully this will be a good thing

[Nammu]

There have been times when both T and pdoc were part of the same organization and I found it helpful. My meds were never changed on a whim or without me first talking to the pdoc. But like Christina mentioned it was helpful to getting faster appointments with the pdoc.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I liked it bc I felt like if I was struggling my t would make sure I got help

[Victoria'smom]

I make a point to have my team at the same place. Yes there has been times where my therapist notifies my pdoc that I need him to call (always asks me if it's okay beforehand) because I'm close to needing hospitalization. It makes it much easier for me to be honest with pdoc because he knows before seeing me what is going on. That said I see him less and I'm more stable. Yes he changes my medications more frequently because things I tell my T I don't register it as an issue or things he should know.

[*Beth*]

My pdoc and therapist work in the same clinic. Over the 4 years I've been a patient there having both in the same clinic has given me a sense of security, and of good support.

[xRavenx]

Thanks for all your replies. I am glad to see that most people find it helpful. I am not used to having both a T and pdoc at the same place, but I am now thinking of the advantages to this.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Having my pdoc and therapist at the same place saved me from a really severe lithium toxicity. My pdoc was only there a few days a month but had a relationship with my therapist. I had been very sick for months but I was throwing up so much my lithium level always came back ok but I wouldn't have had 4 days of pills in my system. Anyway my therapist noticed I couldn't walk in a straight line and some other symptoms of toxicity and called her. She had me go in for yet another level and this time I managed to keep enough days of meds in me that we got a real level and it wasn't good. Just on the border of needing hospitalization. So he saved me from getting really sick and from having to be in the hospital.

My pdoc isn't there now but it still is good that they have a relationship; if he calls her she knows it is serious and trusts his judgment and so the one or two times per year that happens she responds quickly and usually I am saved from severe symptoms.

I hope it works for you.

[Blue_Bird]

Yes, my therapist and psychiatrist work in the same office and share notes, I really like it that way