[etsnibor]

I was first diagnosed with depression and anxiety 16 years ago. I've been on and off various meds and seen a number of therapists (finally have one I like a lot!). My meds were always prescribed by my primary care doctor.

Things have gotten really bad as of late as far as managing my symptoms and effectively coping when things get rough. Not the first time this has happened, but each time I have tried to reach out in the past and say, hey, things are not right here, I'm feeling REALLY badly, I don't really feel like I'm taken seriously. I'm at a point where if it's not corrected, I'm not going to be able to function on a daily basis. Admittedly, I am "high functioning" - I have a child and husband, friends and family I enjoy, a successful career (I'm an attorney and started my own practice out of law school). I've gotten very good at passing. But I can't sustain it anymore.

How do I get my providers to take the change in severity of my symptoms seriously? I have asked, begged even, in the past to be prescribed something that will specifically address my anxiety, but never have been. And ultimately, I think the anxiety ends up contributing to my depression worsening. What do I have to do or say to get someone to hear me? I don't want to say I have symptoms I don't, or risk getting put in a psych ward. I just want to feel better!

Originally Posted by etsnibor

I was first diagnosed with depression and anxiety 16 years ago. I've been on and off various meds and seen a number of therapists (finally have one I like a lot!). My meds were always prescribed by my primary care doctor.

Things have gotten really bad as of late as far as managing my symptoms and effectively coping when things get rough. Not the first time this has happened, but each time I have tried to reach out in the past and say, hey, things are not right here, I'm feeling REALLY badly, I don't really feel like I'm taken seriously. I'm at a point where if it's not corrected, I'm not going to be able to function on a daily basis. Admittedly, I am "high functioning" - I have a child and husband, friends and family I enjoy, a successful career (I'm an attorney and started my own practice out of law school). I've gotten very good at passing. But I can't sustain it anymore.

How do I get my providers to take the change in severity of my symptoms seriously? I have asked, begged even, in the past to be prescribed something that will specifically address my anxiety, but never have been. And ultimately, I think the anxiety ends up contributing to my depression worsening. What do I have to do or say to get someone to hear me? I don't want to say I have symptoms I don't, or risk getting put in a psych ward. I just want to feel better!

honestly in my experience it normally gets to the point where you arent functioning at all before people do anything to try and help i.e lost your job or having relationship issues or not getting out of bed. which i am not saying that is right cause it is a lot harder to get things back once you have lost them than it is to maintain a certain level of function so i would suggest finding different treatment providers who take a more pro active approach.

[adam_k]

If your doctor's are not taking you seriously maybe you should find someone willing to help you. A new doctor will have fresh eyes and may not be dismissive.

My primary care doctor prescribed a few meds then sent me to a psychiatrist. She realized she didn't have the knowledge to give me the mental care I needed.

[Fuzzybear]

[little turtle]

Originally Posted by etsnibor

I was first diagnosed with depression and anxiety 16 years ago. I've been on and off various meds and seen a number of therapists (finally have one I like a lot!). My meds were always prescribed by my primary care doctor.

Things have gotten really bad as of late as far as managing my symptoms and effectively coping when things get rough. Not the first time this has happened, but each time I have tried to reach out in the past and say, hey, things are not right here, I'm feeling REALLY badly, I don't really feel like I'm taken seriously. I'm at a point where if it's not corrected, I'm not going to be able to function on a daily basis. Admittedly, I am "high functioning" - I have a child and husband, friends and family I enjoy, a successful career (I'm an attorney and started my own practice out of law school). I've gotten very good at passing. But I can't sustain it anymore.

How do I get my providers to take the change in severity of my symptoms seriously? I have asked, begged even, in the past to be prescribed something that will specifically address my anxiety, but never have been. And ultimately, I think the anxiety ends up contributing to my depression worsening. What do I have to do or say to get someone to hear me? I don't want to say I have symptoms I don't, or risk getting put in a psych ward. I just want to feel better!

yes you are needing more help...you like your therapist a lot...that is good....how often to you meet...
do you have any physical problems that have worsened...
what do you want for your anxiety....
do you have any drug or alcohol problems...
this can be so painful for you....you must be feeling bad...I am sorry

[etsnibor]

Thanks for reading and the thoughts and kind words guys. I went to the doctor end of this week. I even took my husband with me for support and input. And so he could see what I'm complaining about first hand.

It took me about 30 seconds to break down sobbing. That I couldn't go on, that I can't even function. I also specifically told the doctor that I have felt absolutely NO relief of my anxiety symptoms from my current medication. I've been on this medication for 10 months. Increased dose 3 times already, I always end up back for depression. But again, it's not even touching my anxiety. We had this exchange:

Me: My anxiety is getting worse. I feel no relief from my anxiety since I started this medication. My anxiety prevents me from doing daily tasks, like working, making phone calls, and sometimes, leaving the house.

Doctor: Well this medication is for depression AND anxiety.

Me: I understand that. But I'm trying to tell you, I have felt no improvement in my anxiety symptoms that last 10 months. As I've said, it's getting worse.

Doctor: Well let's just see if this medication will take care of that. These things take time.

Me: How long should I wait? This medication is not helping my anxiety. I understand it's indicated for depression AND anxiety. It's not helping my anxiety. I don't feel like I'm being taken seriously here.

Doctor: You want your depression to be gone tomorrow. That's not how it works.

Me: I've been doing this more than half my life. I know that. How do I get anyone to take me seriously?

Doctor: Check yourself into a psych ward.

I cannot make this up. I am so hurt. I asked my husband afterwards, as I sobbed my way out to the car, if that was really what happened. He said yes, and apologized for not understanding that this has been going on.

The doctor also told me that in order for other people to take my treatment seriously, I need to take it seriously. I've been in for depression/anxiety multiples times this year already, in addition to seeing my therapist every other week - and I told him I'm scheduled to go back to every week from now on. So as I sit there begging him for help, he's telling me I'm not trying hard enough?

He also asked multiple times if I wanted a referral to a psychiatrist. YES, PLEASE, YES, I think I need specialized help with my medication. Do you think I left with a referral? (I need a referral, for my insurance)

Every time this happens, I feel like I am totally losing it. It's so hard to ask for help. I brought back up this time even. The professional thinks I am fine, so I must be, right? I must be exaggerating? I must be weak? I must not be trying?

Icing on the cake: the new medication that the doctor finally prescribed me is not covered by my insurance.

The best I can come up with is to call in for my follow up and tell them if I can't get a referral to a psychiatrist, I'm going to find a new office.

[adam_k]

I'm sorry you had such a terrible experience.

Can you call your insurance company? Some of them have nurses you could talk to and they may be able to get you a referral.

I would get a new doctor. He isn't take you seriously and you are in a lot of distress. He sounds like a terrible doctor and you deserve better. Can you call the doctors office and ask for a referral? That way you don't have to go back or wait.

You have a business and are trying to maintain that along with your family. A psych ward is more for people who are a danger to themselves, they cannot adequately take care of themselves or need a high level of treatment. It doesn't sound like you are in that place.

My primary care doctor prescribe a couple pysch meds, but after they didn't help she had me see a psychiatrist. She realized I need more help and expertise than she could provide. I don't think for the most part primary care doctors have much experience with treating mental illness.

[Fuzzybear]

[kecanoe]

Could you call the office and tell them that the med is not covered by insurance and ask for a referral to a pdoc?

[dexter]

Originally Posted by adam_k

If your doctor's are not taking you seriously maybe you should find someone willing to help you. A new doctor will have fresh eyes and may not be dismissive.

My primary care doctor prescribed a few meds then sent me to a psychiatrist. She realized she didn't have the knowledge to give me the mental care I needed.

This is the advice I would give as well. Find a new doctor who is more familiar with the symptoms of depression. Find a pdoc. Keep your primary for any other health issues. Find a therapist too. The two should work in concert. Talk to them until they understand. Hopefully professionals in that field will have more understanding... If not, find a new one.

[dexter]

adam_k: