This doctor I am seeing has been basically probing for various problems and although I received a diagnosis of recurrent major depression, for a time the doctor even was considering a psychotic diagnosis (which is inaccurate) as a result of my paranoid tendencies. However, he does not think I am because my paranoia is not severe enough for me to be in that category. What bothers me even more is that this guy is already encouraging me to start taking medications which I am not really interested in. He says that he would work with me if I am not on medications, but he strongly advises that I take them. I'm not sure if I want to keep seeing this guy given that he is already suggesting medication and it seems quite questionable that he was going as far as to briefly go as far as to suggest that I could be schizophrenic (which I am not) for merely discussing paranoia. He seems to be advocating a very aggressive, medicalized approach which I frankly do not agree with.

[glok]

Hello, Steve223. Does not seem you and the doctor are connecting. Yes, maybe seeing someone else would be better. Make sure you have input into the treatment plan.

I wish you well.

[QuasiM0d0]

I don't know who you are seeing but if I may make a suggestion.

Zucker Hillside Hospital

They have an outpatient clinic and if you don't like one Doctor...try another.

Hang in there!

Kindest Regards,
QuasiM0D0

[lilypup]

I agree to try someone else. It's just crucial to have faith in your pdoc. Especially when times get bad.

[shabur]

You need to find a pdoc you are comfortable with and can trust. It may take a couple visits with each to find that connection.

Having chronic severe MDD, I know that my brain chemistry is off and I need medications to help. Depending on the significance of your chronic depression, you may need medications, but if it's something you don't want to do, you may want to consider a more holistic approach. While I do take medications, I also practice yoga which has taught me how to breathe, to focus, to calm my mind...but not always.

[hurricane1992]

I have had many psychiatrists that took the same type of approach. It seems like a lot of guesswork on their end, a "throw it up against the wall and see if it sticks" way of doing things. As a patient you find yourself on a bunch of seemingly random pills treating a condition you MIGHT have... After enough of these experiences I adopted a "no more pills!" attitude and decided I would never take anything again.

I think the problem truly was that I hadn't found a single doctor that had any sort of clue what they were talking about. Years passed and my "all natural" approach didn't really work either. I sprung for an out of pocket psychiatrist. (Up until that point I had only used doctors and hospitals covered by my insurance).
On my very first visit he told me to take ONE medication. He told me that my major depressive disorder had gone untreated so long that I was developing even more issues that mimicked bipolar disorder, paranoia, etc. But he was confident that this one pill would be the answer. His confidence was what astounded me. No guessing games, no what if's or maybes. Just answers. And he was right. It's been about a year now and I still cry from relief and happiness almost every morning I wake up without being suicidal and with the energy to get out of bed. I'm not saying that it's as simple as one pill, or that a doctor has to be expensive to help you. What I am saying is that everyone deserves and should fight to find that doctor who can look at you and tell you "we're going to fix this and here's how". Look at psychiatrists for their reviews and their successes rather than who is close or covered by insurance. Because when it comes to getting you life back no price is too high.