[Apis]

Hi All,

Can a PDoc, not a shrink, prescribe psychotropic drugs?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Direction]

Most of us refer to pdocs as someone who is

...licensed physicians (MD or DO-this is the one most people are referring to when they not pdoc) who specialize in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders. Their medical and psychiatric training prepares them to treat adults and children. Psychiatrists can prescribe medications, if needed.

By shrink - you may be referring to a therapist - so the answer is no for them presicribing anything.

or shrink - you may be reffering to The term "Psychiatrist" means a person who is legally qualified and licensed to practice psychiatry - no for prescribing anything.

[tranquility]

If Pdoc refers to a primary care physician, then yes they can prescribe psychiatric drugs.

I didn't want to see my psychiatrist anymore because I was stable on my meds and it was a waste of a $25.00 copay every three months just to have him write a scrip.

So, my primary care doc told me as long as I continued therapy with my therapist then she would write the scrip.

I'm now seeing a psychiatric nurse (who can prescribe) because I changed all my meds.

Tranquility

"shrink", in my world, usually means a psychiatrist.

T means therapist.....who isn't a psychiatrist. has a psychology degree, social worker degree, etc. i'm a T and i can't prescribe any meds.

PCP (primary care physician) can be a general practioner, an internist, a family practice physician, etc. and they can all prescribe psych meds. i don't think they should, but "oh, well"....... although my first AD was prescribed by an internist that i trusted very much. it just scares me that so many primary care physicians are so poorly trained when it comes to psych meds.

we had a pediatrician who would send every kid home from ER with a prescription for ritalin. we called him Dr. Ritalin. i don't think that each and every kid that came to ER had attention deficit disorder.

a psychiatric nurse is highly trained and can prescribe psych meds.

hope you aren't too confused now......xoxoxo pat

[sunrise]

pdoc = shrink = psychiatrist (MD)
(at least that's how I thought it works)

My meds are prescribed by my family doctor. I think any MD can prescribe meds, regardless of their specialty.

[Apis]

Dear Direction, Tranquility, and my old friend Fayerody,

Thank you so much for replying to my post. It's helped me. By "shrink," I meant psychiatrist. Each of your responses has been extremely helpful. It looks like I'm gonna be detoxing from Klonopin, and have no interest whatsoever in seeing another meglomaniacal "shrink." So, the PCP it is.

Thank you all again!
xo,
~Em

[DePressMe]

Good question. I too was a little confused. My psychiatrist can perscribe meds and I refer to him as my shrink or pdoc. And I call my therapist--well, my therapist. thanks.

[Juliana]

It is confusing, isn't it?

The person I referred to as my therapist was a psychology student working on his PhD. Seeing patients was part of his clinical training. He wasn't allowed to make diagnoses, and couldn't prescribe drugs.

My "shrink" was my psychiatrist. She diagnosed me and prescribed my meds.

I don't see a therapist or a psychiatrist any more. Now my family doctor prescribes my meds... based on past diagnoses from the psychiatrist and discussions with me about my progress and reactions to meds.