[Elana05]

I just went to see a psychiatrist (separate from my T) to get some meds. He asked me about personal history for about 45 minutes. It was exhausting and I felt like he really didn't get me. But I know that doesn't matter, I felt reassured about how much he seemed to know about medication. He just seemed to point out some obvious things with some pat advice which left me triggered into that, "yeah, what is my problem??" sort of place. I'm having serious trouble with work issues and he basically said, "you should just get a job." That made me feel kind of low, like why do you think I'm in therapy in the first place? He wasn't very good at the talk part but I feel confident in his ability as a pdoc. I just wish I hadn't gotten so triggered. I am seeing my regular T soon. I guess I'll tell her a bit about it. She recommended him, so maybe she'll agree he doesn't have the best "bed-side" (or is it couch-side?) manner.

[dizgirl2011]

Hey,

I find most pdocs aren't that great at the therapy side, more so meds and diagnostics; but there are some exceptions I guess.

The first meeting is usually the assessment where the history is taken, and risk assessment done. Its good that he seems confident about his meds. Try not to take what he said to heart as he doesn't really know you, hopefully your Therapist can help you see things in a more positive way and give you the reassurance you need

[garden gal]

Elana,
I agree, it can be hard to find a psychiatrist with good therapy skills. I think their training is more oriented toward problem solving than relationship building. But, I'd encourage you to trust your gut feelings about this. This is someone who you will be giving some power to, and someone whose judgment you'll want to be able to trust in your most vulnerable moments. The first session does tend to be a lot of history taking, but if the psychiatrist is giving you simplistic answers for complex life issues without really getting to know you first, and left you possibly feeling worse than before you went in to see him, I think you are wise to be cautious.

I think with a psychiatrist, it is important that they both "get" me at some basic level, and have a plan for me that I have confidence in. I've stopped seeing psychiatrists for both reasons... the first one I ever saw had a reasonable plan as far as medications, but we didn't connect and I didn't feel like I trusted her on that level. Then I saw one for about 7 years who I connected with, but who just ran out of ideas for me. I stopped seeing him after I went through a partial hospitalization and was back at work and feeling good, and he told me that I "actually needed 6 months to a year of intensive day treatment." My current psychiatrist doesn't always remember some of the details of my story even though I've been seeing her for over a year... but she is kind and seems otherwise competent. I don't know... it is hard to find a perfect fit with this stuff. Elana, I give you credit for jumping into this process and giving it a try!

peace,
garden gal