[Nike007]

So yesterday I saw this pdoc I saw before, but I didn't like her. Again, I didn't like her. I explained to her how I've been experiencing depression symptoms (or what I feel is depression). And she told me that I am like this because I went off my anti-depressant and that my depression is only "situational", meaning if my life was perfect (pretty much, like doing well in school, have friends, etc.) then I wouldn't be depressed and the only way I actually have depression is if I go on another anti-depressant and am still depressed. I explained to her how my marks in school are suffering (ie would be failing calculus if my math teacher wasn't as nice as she is (to me)) because I lack motivation to work, am always tired, am asleep, and can't concentrate because I'm thinking depressing thoughts. And I am extremely lonely but she said that it's because I have social anxiety and autism that I'm lonely, which I have some degree of loneliness because of these, but I have been fine overall the last year. I feel even lonelier than normal now. I have wanted to withdrawal, but because I know depression, I force myself to try to interact with people to be less lonely.

I just needed to rant. I don't know why, but I feel the anti-depressant I am on now (the one that worked, but I went off, then went back on it) is making me not being able to cry. So I can't really blow off emotions other than ranting. I'm just frustrated with this person. She put me on Luvox, which I'll start tonight (hopefully).

Thanks if you read it.

It seems to have bothered you that she said your depression was situational. I just want you to know that depression, regardless of what it is caused by, is still very real and very valid. The only difference is that one can be addressed more effectively with lifestyle changes that address the situational life problems. I hope this medication works well for you, but do consider looking at things in your life that may be affecting you negatively and working on those issues as well.

[Fuzzybear]

[Sunflower123]

Ok Nike007, may I say your pdoc is less than intelligent (and I am being nice here). You're showing all kinds of red flags for depression. Is there any other pdoc you can go to that gets it? I'm sorry you're having such a tough time. Good luck with the new medication.

[Nike007]

Originally Posted by scaredandconfused

It seems to have bothered you that she said your depression was situational. I just want you to know that depression, regardless of what it is caused by, is still very real and very valid. The only difference is that one can be addressed more effectively with lifestyle changes that address the situational life problems. I hope this medication works well for you, but do consider looking at things in your life that may be affecting you negatively and working on those issues as well.

Hello. I believe it wasn't situational, but caused by being off my anti-depressant. I came off, and three months later, this happens.

I have been doing more lifestyle changes such as walking an hour a day. Eating healthy is something I need to work on. I do and have taken vitamin D to help with depression as I know I tend to get more down (not necessarily depressed) during winter times. I also have been making sure I get 8 hours of sleep each night, though it's hard when I've been coming so far behind on my school work. I also have been making sure I talk to someone about life and how I am everyday, for at least 15 mins. I have set up a support system for me at school for this (to talk to teachers I mean).

If this sounds mean in anyway, I'm sorry. I am just upset from a customer at work and am ruminating on it.

Thanks for your response

[Nike007]

Originally Posted by Jennifer 1967

Ok Nike007, may I say your pdoc is less than intelligent (and I am being nice here). You're showing all kinds of red flags for depression. Is there any other pdoc you can go to that gets it? I'm sorry you're having such a tough time. Good luck with the new medication.

I told her that I pretty much have, if not all, the symptoms of depression but she told me that it's because I'm anxious and stressed from school, though I am currently only anxious and stressed from school because I'm afraid I won't get into my university programs because my marks are suffering from being depressed. I am also diagnosed with two anxiety disorders, so I do have anxiety in general.

I didn't do homework for three weeks because of lack of motivation and then I finally told someone and got myself help. I am slowly getting myself back to do homework, but some days, I can't. I try but can't.

To get myself to see another pdoc I would have to wait another 6 months, as the waitlists are long and there is a lack of services. By the time 6 months comes by I am moving away from home and am going to university (I really want to say hopefully, but trying to stay positive), so I would need to find someone new again. Also, I'm at that stage where I'm about to enter adult services because I'm turning 18 this year, so I would have to find a new pdoc anyways in 6 months.

Sorry there was also a rant kinda in here too.

Thank you for your response

[Misterpain]

Well I for one am super impressed by a doctor that seems to have all the answers , well at the same discounting a devaluing what the patient is saying , you should trade her in on a model that actually listens and values what you are saying , this one has a god complex .

As far as your med's many people experience the same thing as you identified emotional blunting from many AD'S , also take into consideration a lot of medications work the first time you take them ,if however you DC them and then try to go back to them , many people find they either don't work at all or don't give the kind of relief they previously experienced, many times people get fed up with having there emotions so blunted that they go off of med's and when they go back to them they don't work out .

I would really reccomend if you can either be assertive with this doc( let her know her attitude or "bedside manner" is really offensive , you are paying her to consult with you ,not to piss you off , pay more attention to you and what you are saying rather then listening to the voices in her own head or replace her if possible voting with your money is the best solution , Psychiatry has enough of a image problem with various stigmas and bias against it , then add a doctor like her and it makes you wonder why they are trying to scare patients away. If your life was perfect , you would not need to consult her , or be insulted by her "writing off" what you say , and you would be the first person ever to have a perfect life , in any event the reason you are depressed is not because of that ( because you would have to first experience a perfect life , in order to be upset that it was no longer perfect , that's just my 2 cents ) if your having a problem with declining grades , loss of focus and sleeping ( I can't believe I am saying this , because I hate big pharma with a passion ) but many people are finding a stimulant to be helpful, you might want to bring that up to her on your next visit , things like Ritalin and it's "relatives" are being used a lot more for people with depression these days ( and big pharma is thrilled that there's another potential revenue stream for these med's) . And your welcome to rant in my ear anytime .

Originally Posted by Nike007

Hello. I believe it wasn't situational, but caused by being off my anti-depressant. I came off, and three months later, this happens.

I have been doing more lifestyle changes such as walking an hour a day. Eating healthy is something I need to work on. I do and have taken vitamin D to help with depression as I know I tend to get more down (not necessarily depressed) during winter times. I also have been making sure I get 8 hours of sleep each night, though it's hard when I've been coming so far behind on my school work. I also have been making sure I talk to someone about life and how I am everyday, for at least 15 mins. I have set up a support system for me at school for this (to talk to teachers I mean).

If this sounds mean in anyway, I'm sorry. I am just upset from a customer at work and am ruminating on it.

Thanks for your response

It's interesting how it often takes a few months after coming off an anti-depressant to feel the adverse effects. I too, stopped my medications and only crashed a few months later. When I was later hospitalized to start a new medication, my psychiatrist says it's quite common. It's rough!

I think it's great that you are engaging in these healthy activities, that's awesome! Keep it up, and I hope your new medication helps ASAP.

[Nike007]

Originally Posted by Misterpain

Well I for one am super impressed by a doctor that seems to have all the answers , well at the same discounting a devaluing what the patient is saying , you should trade her in on a model that actually listens and values what you are saying , this one has a god complex .

As far as your med's many people experience the same thing as you identified emotional blunting from many AD'S , also take into consideration a lot of medications work the first time you take them ,if however you DC them and then try to go back to them , many people find they either don't work at all or don't give the kind of relief they previously experienced, many times people get fed up with having there emotions so blunted that they go off of med's and when they go back to them they don't work out .

I would really reccomend if you can either be assertive with this doc( let her know her attitude or "bedside manner" is really offensive , you are paying her to consult with you ,not to piss you off , pay more attention to you and what you are saying rather then listening to the voices in her own head or replace her if possible voting with your money is the best solution , Psychiatry has enough of a image problem with various stigmas and bias against it , then add a doctor like her and it makes you wonder why they are trying to scare patients away. If your life was perfect , you would not need to consult her , or be insulted by her "writing off" what you say , and you would be the first person ever to have a perfect life , in any event the reason you are depressed is not because of that ( because you would have to first experience a perfect life , in order to be upset that it was no longer perfect , that's just my 2 cents ) if your having a problem with declining grades , loss of focus and sleeping ( I can't believe I am saying this , because I hate big pharma with a passion ) but many people are finding a stimulant to be helpful, you might want to bring that up to her on your next visit , things like Ritalin and it's "relatives" are being used a lot more for people with depression these days ( and big pharma is thrilled that there's another potential revenue stream for these med's) . And your welcome to rant in my ear anytime .

I have heard that going back on a medication that previously worked may not work again because your body has built an intolerance to it. So I wasn't sure what to expect when going back on my previous medication.

I am not the assertive person normally. I did tell her how I am feeling but she dismissed it because of my special interest in mental illness since I have autism.

I technically am not paying her though, as I'm in Canada and it's covered my the government.

I have actually wanted to try a stimulant for a while, since I do think I have AD/HD, but even if I didn't, I have autism, which does cause inattentiveness. And I did spend some time reading up on this last night and it seems good. I am also happier that it will work within a few days, not few weeks, which would help with my school grades more. I have also read up on going to multiple medications instead of just one may have more effectiveness. I am unsure if it's true though. Probably depends on the person.

Thanks for your response

[Nike007]

Originally Posted by scaredandconfused

It's interesting how it often takes a few months after coming off an anti-depressant to feel the adverse effects. I too, stopped my medications and only crashed a few months later. When I was later hospitalized to start a new medication, my psychiatrist says it's quite common. It's rough!


I think it's great that you are engaging in these healthy activities, that's awesome! Keep it up, and I hope your new medication helps ASAP.

I didn't realize this would happen, let alone that it's common for other people. I wish my doctor or old pdoc warned me of this chance before I went off.

Thank you

[MickeyCheeky]

Sorry you've had a bad experience Is there any chance for you to change pdoc?

[LittleEarthquakes]

I ****ing hate psychiatrists. I feel your pain.

[Misterpain]

You are expecting honesty and full disclosure from a shrink , never gonna happen, many people with the newer electronic records access or just by requesting to see there file are shocked to find other diagnosis in them that they were never told about. Anything a Dr feels will hurt you more than help you goes into the chart but is never spoken about with the patient , although through this open records initiative they are finding people pissed that stuff was held back under the guise " it was better for you not to know " they are also finding this drives a wedge into the ability to trust or continue a therapeutic relationship with the doctor , this is why they reccomend that anytime you leave a doctor or practice you get a copy of your records , so you know what's in them , same thing with challenging something in your medical record if it's wrong you have the right to have a statement added to your record to correct any inaccuracies or misunderstandings so it does not become an assumed correct fact , in the mind of your next care provider. I am the king of not getting along with doctors , when they try and play God, to manipulate me into doing something that I am firmly against like taking Pregablin for my pain or switching to methadone for pain control , I get rid of them right quick, or sometimes they just hold obstructionist beliefs to my care ,and want to do anything they can to get in my way , I will not pay you consult someone like that , your care should be a partnership with you fully in control of making decisions, they are there to help guide you , not to manipulate you into seeing things there way, absolute power corrupts adbsolutuetly . If you hired a contractor to renovate your bathroom and did it not the way you wanted it , but the way they wanted it , you would object and not pay them until they did the job they were hired to do, it's the same thing with a doctor ,work together with me or don't work for me , plain and simple.

[Misterpain]

Combining multiple medications( of the same class) can sometimes work, and for tough complicated patients may be the way to go , the major problem with poly pharmacy is that most people get a big 15 minutes to see there doc for a med check , so it contributes to doctors getting lazy , they throw a bunch of med's at you and hope something works , the downside to that is generally it's a mystery as to which drug caused the improvement , thus you then are stuck taking a bunch of drugs that are doing nothing, but if you do a drug taper you risk causing the patient to decompensate if you happen to taper the one that works the patient can end up inpatient wondrting what happened to there life ?, so many doctors are becoming gun shy of doing that , because it screws up the patients potential recovery and is a risky time consuming strategy that many doctors don't want to do the work and have the appointment time to really over see treatment, in this day and age doctors aren't practicing medicine ( and you rarely meet one who is good at it ) they are practicing what there employer and the insurance industry will accept , and devoting time to one patient is highly frowned on because every minute they spend giving one patient the quality care they deserve means that the patient turnover rate gets messed with .
A comparison would be a restaurant that puts uncomfortable seating in , it encourages people to eat and leave rather than staying around and taking up space at tables that aren't making them money , if that put nice seating and chairs in , the table Wont turn over as fast, then they have to charge more for every menu item to make up for the lost volume.

[Nike007]

Originally Posted by MickeyCheeky

Sorry you've had a bad experience Is there any chance for you to change pdoc?

I could change pdoc, but then I'd have to go through a long wait list, plus by the time I'm seen, I'd be 18, meaning that I'd need to see an adult pdoc instead of the adolescent ones, so I'd have to switch anyways.