creepy pdoc?

so i went to a psychiatry appointment today (like my second one ever), and the psychiatrist was a little odd. he's someone that my therapist knows and respects (and referred me to), so i trust her in going to him. the appointment was only 15 mins, most of which he asked me questions about the medication he was about to prescribe. then, as he's typing out the prescription (facing the computer), he says, "so, you seeing anyone yet?"

i was like, "excuse me?" and then he asked me again, and i said, "no" (even though i am). then he says, "well maybe this medication will help with that!" i just sorta laughed nervously, and then he added, "so if you're not calling me anymore for meds, i'll know that you're seeing someone.."

WTH? i called my therapist right after the appointment, and she was confused by the whole thing as well. she said something like "well.. let's not make too much of this" and "let's just hold this some place else" (like remember it, but don't let it be a bother), and that we would see how it went the next time i saw him. the odd thing is that when i googled him to find his office address, i saw a review of him where another client said he had asked her inappropriate questions (about dating) as well.

he's almost 80 years old, so i'm sure he wasn't hitting on me, but still. maybe he's just lost touch with how to make casual conversation? what do y'all think? is this guy a creep? should i continue working with him? where do you think his question came from?

My money is on socially inept and bad at humor. I think many pdoc's are a little "off" (hey, why else would they pick that profession, right?) I don't know about your city, but by me, it is really hard to get in with ANY pdoc, so if you have one who is adequate with meds and you only have to see for 15 minutes every so often, I wouldn't jump ship just yet.

Best,
EJ

I'm with Eliza Jane on this one. Sounds like he's trying to talk small talk or being friendly is just really bad at it. If he's decent with the meds, I'd just try to ignore his eccentricities; if he isn't, keep shopping around I guess.

back when he was in med school that type of humor was probably acceptable. Mt dentist is in his 80's and he says inappropriate things at times.

I used to see an old pdoc and he was the same way. I think when they are in their eighties they just say what they think and figure they can get away with abandoning social decorum. I loved the guy, thought he was hilarious, but I can see how it might be confusing or off putting for some.

I agree with everyone that he is probably harmless, but you need to feel comfortable with your providers so you should do what feels right to you.

YUCK.

I probably wouldn't go back to that guy. Hmm, wait a minute, the last time I saw a pdoc, I felt the same way - and didn't go back. LOL

The pdoc I saw was pretty normal looking (whatever that means, right?) and was rather young - maybe mid-40's. He asked all sorts of probing questions...and then told me that I needed to get naked and start getting to know my body and accepting my body. I was like....

He, too, was someone that my T recommended...and I told T that I had a very uncomfortable appt. and wouldn't be going back. I don't think I ever told him what he said to me, though. I'd imagine there was nothing wrong with what the T said...but I was really uncomfortable with it and wouldn't subject myself to it again.

Yikes! That is a bit much! For some reason I am LMAO though....

What is with pdocs?

Maybe, just maybe, by a long stretch, could pdoc might of meant if you're seeing a therapist? Unless he was raising his eyebrows up and down real fast while he asked. Maybe the guy is single and looking!

Thanks for this....you made a forty-something smile!

If PDOC gave you the creepers, don't go back. It doesn't matter if it would bother anyone else. If it is uncomfortable for you, then ask for another referral.

The other thing that comes to mind is that it kind of depends on your history and/or your diagnosis, as whether or not you are dating might be one indication of healing in the context of certain types of socially-oriented diagnoses.

The other thing that comes to mind is that some pdocs and even some T's see a willingness to date or any positive change in your social network as a sign of doing well or doing better. There is some truth to that-- one difference between people who end up in the hospital vs. people who do well in outpatient care is social support; those with more social support get better faster and are more likely to recover completely. So even a poorly worded question about your social life is not exactly irrelevant and I don't think that it can be considered to be an opening to some kind of sexual harassment. However, I agree with the others who say that you can certainly go to another pdoc for any reason; it doesn't have to be "justified" by creepiness.