[LooneyTunez25]

I need advice on my situation with a new psychiatrist. It’s kind of a long story so I will try to shorten it but I think the story in its entirety is important for proper advice. I had my first appointment with a new psychiatrist. When I arrived I was only asked to fill out a paper with my name, address, and insurance info. I don’t know what is the “normal” paperwork to fill out but at my last psychiatrist I filled out a depression questionnaire and a couple others. Anyways I was called quickly into the Dr.’s office. The best way to explain this is to show how the conversation went.
Dr.-How can I help you?
Me-I was diagnosed before with ADD and I also have an anxiety problem.
Dr.-Have you seen a doctor for this before?
Me-Yes. About a year ago I was seeing a psychiatrist for about 6 months. He diagnosed me with ADD, depression, General Anxiety Disorder, and Insomnia. He told me that he thought it was more important to treat the depression, anxiety, and insomnia. When that is under control we will see if the ADD needs further treatment with medication. I was prescribed Prozac, Xanax, and Ambien, but have not taken any medication in over 3 months. My previous doctor left the practice and they did not have another psychiatrist in that office until recently and it’s almost impossible to get an appointment with him.
Dr.-Why were you depressed?
Me-I lost my job. I’d constantly forget to do things, I’d start projects and never finish them. My previous boss told me he liked me as a person but I’m not a good employee. I didn’t know how I was going to pay my bills.
Dr-Mhm mhm. So you often have trouble focusing?
Me-Yes.
Dr-Tell me about when you were younger. Did you have any psychiatric problems?
Me-I was hospitalized for depression and suicidal thoughts when I was about 14. I was having a hard time at home and at school. I didn’t listen to my mom. I wasn’t a great kid. I said I was suicidal but I wasn’t actually going to hurt myself but wanted attention and my mom admitted me.
Dr-Any other periods of depression other than a year ago and when you were 14? Are you depressed now? Do you ever get excited? Talk fast and louder than usual? Go on shopping sprees, even though you don’t have the money? How is your sleep?
Me-No, I haven’t been depressed any other times and I’m not depressed now. I do get excited but it is situational. I don’t go from being normal to excited for no reason. If something good or exciting happens, then yes I feel that. I do talk fast sometimes. My mind never stops, it’s always going 100mph so when I’m telling a story or something I tend to talk fast because I feel like I have so much to say right at that moment. I don’t technically go on shopping sprees. I go to the store or look online because I need something and I will impulse buy even though I need that money for something else. I sleep about 5 hours a night but it seems like enough to me. Some nights I wish I could fall asleep earlier but I’m not constantly tired or anything.
Dr.-I’d like to prescribe you a mood stabilizer. It will help you focus and regulate your sleep. It will probably start to work a few days after taking it. If it doesn’t work then we will go from there. Do you want me to prescribe the Prozac, Ambien, and Xanax as well?
Me-No, I don’t need Prozac because I’m not depressed. I didn’t like the Ambien because I wouldn’t remember what happened after I took it and would do things in my sleep…(Dr. interrupts me)
Dr-I’ll prescribe you something else. It is called Triazolam and it’s short acting.
Me-So it definitely wont and can’t cause memory loss, sleep walking or anything along those lines?
Dr.-Absolutely not. The mood stabilizer I’m prescribing you is called Latuda and there is no generic. Here is a discount card. You have to activate it and it wont cost you so much. Make an appointment in 4 weeks.
Before I walked out the door he handed me 2 weeks worth of samples for Latuda. He told me if it didn’t work or I didn’t like it to make sure I bring back the remaining samples. He never told me his diagnoses of me. I didn’t ask because I’m nervous in these situations and don’t usually think of this stuff until afterwards. I filled the triazolam but not Latuda bc it was too expensive and I had some samples. I took the triazolam as prescribed that night, slept 13 hours and woke up confused. Fell asleep on couch, woke up in bed, and don’t remember a thing. I decided to do some research. From what I read, Latuda is not a mood stabilizer but an anti-psychotic used for bipolar and schizophrenia. Triazolam can cause memory loss and sleep walking. I am not taking these medicines and I made another appointment with him next week. It’s not about wanting him to prescribe me something else or even wanting him to be my doctor but I want to ask him what happened. What in fact is he diagnosing me with? Why did he lie about the meds?
If I were to take an anti-psychotic that changes the chemistry of my brain and not need that at all can’t that cause psychosis? Basically I need advice on what happened. From the conversation, does it seem to you that I’m schizophrenic or bipolar? Maybe I’m missing something. Is it typically ok to talk to a patient for 20 minutes and prescribe an anti-psychotic and lie to the patient about the medicine they are prescribing? Also, I’m not a person who stands up for myself as much as I should and it’s hard to me to be firm with someone. I want to stand up for myself to this doctor. Any advice on what to say to him??

[Thunder Bow]

Tell him what you just said to us. Tell what happened. If you do not want Medications, tell him so.

[pegasus]

Yes, do check with your psychiatrist but I would like to add that antipsychotics are not just used for schizophrenia, they have many uses and are a very helpful medication for many people. Try not to jump to the conclusion that because you are taking an antipsychotic it means something terrible is going on with you. Antipsychotics can be used for mood, anxiety, PTSD, depression, bipolar, the list goes on...

As for diagnosis, that also can take some time, infact I would be surprised if he was able to diagnose you after one meeting. I was in therapy and didn't get a diagnosis for years! So breathe deeply on that one.

Triazolam is used for insomnia, if it is too strong for you then please let your psychiatrist know. Often times it can take a while to get the right combination of medications and trial and error is involved.

Good luck with your next appointment.