[outlander]

Hi , Long time lurker on the board and finally had a question for all of you that made me create an account.

I started seeing my therapist about 3 months ago at the referral of my dermatologist about getting stress under control helping on the skin issues. I've long known I don't deal with stress well. This past session the therapist said I have a type of anxiety disorder, and probably have had it for a long time - but the serious medical issues and hospitalizations that came up this year just made the anxiety worse. He said to talk to my GP about going on medication.

Talked to the GP the other day and told him what my therapist said. He was not the one to refer me to him and he did not know that I had been going. Now with all the medical stuff I've had lately I have become very close with my GP, which made me ultra shocked when he said he didn't think I belonged in therapy and certainly don't need medication. It is going to be an awkward session with my therapist this week.

I'm wondering if this is common, for your therapist and your GP to completely disagree like this.

[ECHOES]

I think it will be a good session.

What to you think about therapy? About medication?
I'm not big on medication, especially when just beginning therapy.
Anyone can be in therapy, anyone and for any reason, including wanting to learn more about themselves and how they deal with stress. I think your GP may just be someone show is biased against therapy and/or medication.

What's important is what you think, what you want for yourself.

I think the dermatologist knows what he is talking about.

Some GP's are not at all comfortable dealing with psych issues, nor do they all have a terribly strong bedside manner about them. If after talking to your T, who IS more comfortable and obviously willing to help you with the mental/emotional aspect of your life, you still feel that medication could be a consideration, you may need to find another GP or perhaps a pdoc to deal with the medication end of your mental health care. I question a doctor who would say you don't "belong" in therapy. I could understand him saying it might be too early to consider meds or maybe unwarranted, but to say you don't "belong" in therapy after an apparently very difficult year healthwise seems unhelpful and unwilling to see the impact physical health issues can have on a person emotionally.

[outlander]

At first I was skeptical of the idea of therapy, but after only a few sessions I realized how much of a difference it was making and how much I clearly needed it. Even though I have a good relationship with my GP, asking him about psychiatric drugs was uncomfortable, so to get the nerve up and then to be told that it wasn't something I needed, that I have plenty of friends to talk to - to be told that by a medical doctor was really odd. I know there are people out there that are anti therapy , I just thought it would be something medical doctors would all be in favor of.

Seeing a psychiatrist probably will be the best option if my therapist wants me to take meds, I'll just have to ask someone besides my GP for the referral.

Thanks for the feedback echoes and farmergirl.

[Eliza Jane]

You therapist is likely to have the names of some good pdoc's.

GP's have very very little training in mental health and no matter how much he knows you he doesn't know you well enough to proclaim you don't need therapy. Shame on him for making such a definite statement without sufficient information or training.

Glad you have found your way to T. I hope you continue to see improvement.

Best,
EJ

[adel34]

Glad you made an account on PC!
I agree with Echos that it's really up to you what you think of therapy, and medication. If you think you need it, then that's all that matters. If your GP is so against meds that he won't prescribe it, then you can find a Pdoc. In my oppinion this is better as I don't trust GPS doing psych med stuff.
As for your question, it's probably very common for GPS or Pdocs to disagree with therapists. The ones prescribing meds only see you for such a short amount of time. I believe that the t is the one that really knows you and what's going on because they see you so much more often, and their focus is on your whole life not just the meds piece. I so wish ts had the training to prescribe psych meds. But probably that's for another thread.
I'd just discuss this all with your t. Remember it's up to you.