[jlock4507]

I see my psychiatrist every 2 weeks as we try to find the right med combo. The appointments seem to be only 5 minutes or so long. I don't know why, but I always thought that psychiatrists were like therapists, but able to prescribe meds. I don't know how she can figure out what meds I need in only 5 minutes...and most of the time, I don't even have enough time to tell her my symptoms, and how I have been feeling....

[Yoda]

I had a pdoc like that once. Every couple of weeks she asked me questions and then adjusted my meds and I never got the opportunity to tell her what emotions I was dealing with. She did that with all her clients, that was her style.

Now I see a different pdoc and usually see him once every three months. We take as long or as little as it takes to talk about everything, anywhere from fifteen minutes if I am stable or over an hour if I have stuff going on. I find the longer appointments less often are more helpful for me

I doubt you are going to be able to change your pdoc's "style" but if you start talking about the most important things on your mind at the beginning of the appt you may feel more satisfied. Good luck

[skeksi]

My first pdoc was like that. I felt like she wanted me to hurry out so she could get her next client/payment. It really made me mad!

My new pdoc books 30-minute appointments, but we rarely take that long. I think that's more because of me, though. He tries to initiate conversation, but since I see him infrequently I tend to be very anxious and uncomfortable (compared to how I am with my T) and that means I clam up.

Also, talking about my symptoms seems kind of pointless because there's no med for the stuff that bothers me most (startle response and flashbacks). T and I work hard on those and get relief. Pdoc has clumsily talked about my issues but since he doesn't know me that well, it tends to be pretty simplified and generic. Like, he says, "You don't need to feel bad about what X did. He was wrong!" But his heart is in the right place. Mostly I see pdoc to talk about sleep/get my sleep med. Still, if I wanted to talk more about things, I know pdoc would listen and try to help.

If you're not satisfied with your pdoc visits, I encourage you to try a new one. You should feel like you are getting adequate time with your doctor!

[nicoleb2]

I've been through several pdocs, for various reasons. It is important to find one that you can trust and not feel too rushed with. It might be a good idea to bring this up with your pdoc, and if she is not receptive to allowing a longer visit, perhaps pursuing a new pdoc would be a good plan

[elliemay]

I know a lot of psychiatrists have short appointments, but this seems way too short to me.

Is there a particular thing she is looking for, like the Lamictal rash or something? What does she ask you when you *are*there?

Would you feell comfortable saying - "please stop, I need a little bit more time here"?

[alwaysrejoice]

You probably cant change their style. Maybe if you have to see this pdoc, bring in a list of what you feel is most important or significant and tell them at the beginning you have specfic issues. A lot of them leave the "deep" issues up to the T.

[CantExplain]

Originally Posted by jlock4507

The appointments seem to be only 5 minutes or so long. I don't know why, but I always thought that psychiatrists were like therapists, but able to prescribe meds.

There are psychiatrists like that, but it is an expensive way to get therapy.

A solution that seems very popular is to have a psychiatrist for meds, a psychotherapist for feelings, and let them talk to each other occasionally about your case.

[nannypat]

I actually have both a P/doc who does talk therapy and does my meds and a cognitive therapist. I see p/doc once a week and ct 2x a week.Thank goodness my insurance pays all but the co-pay.

When I first went to this p/doc, I thought he would be doing just my meds but he said he doesn't do things that way. He wants to know what is going on in my life to help see how the meds are working. As it turns out he is a sexual trauma specialist and I have done more work with him about things I never told anybody before and thought I would take to my grave.

There are still some around that do this, though it is probably the older generation. My T and I are both 60.

[Yady Smith]

I'm living in Ireland and am use the public health service. I see a psychiatrist once or twice in a three month period and then they are gone and replaced by someone else who more times than not doesn’t give a dam about what they’re doing. They just want to get their time in, on their way to promotion.

I suppose you ‘get what you pay for’, or what your private insurance will pay for!!!