[Ad Intra]

I go to public mental health clinic to see my pdoc and old-T. However, I've got issues with them.
1. The the pdoc I see is a PA (not an issue for me) and she prescribed me anti-depressants that caused serotonin syndrome.
2. The psychiatrist that my PA works under is an *** and rude.
3. My old-T left without notice
4. It's been three months and no one has contacted me for a follow-up. It's on records that I've been having suicidal thoughts.

Even more than this I want to give up on therapy for good. I've been in therapy twice in my life and the first time my dad pulled me out after a suicide attempt and this time, the session after I admitted I was having thoughts my old-T left. I don't frankly think i can trust another T again.

[CANDC]

Ad Intra, I know you have posted about some tough times before. Glad you are hanging in there.

What I see is multiple issues that are best separated out.

Okay your pdoc prescribed something that seems to be having adverse reactions. Pdocs try medicines that they think will work. The people I know have all been through this. If they have adverse affects they tell the pdoc and an adjustment is made. Everyone responds to meds in their own way so this a process of finding what works for you.

Sorry your old T left without notice. This must be very upsetting and feel like a loss which perhaps you are still grieving.

Public mental health clinics are in high demand. They probably are busy all the time and it is necessary to schedule appointments ahead. They probably are understaffed and can't followup with you. Calling them on a regular basis for appointments would be very wise on your part. Are you ready to meet another T? It may take weeks or months to get an appointment, so if you call on Tuesday or Weds (Monday may be a holiday for them) you could get an appointment set up with your pdoc and a possible new t all in one phone call. Calling when they open is usually better to get through quicker.

[kaliope]

i went to the public clinic for years because i couldnt afford treatment otherwise. it was my only option. the pdoc treatment sucked. i had fifty million of them, they were rude and obnoxious. my favorite one abandoned me and did not show up for appts. they misdiagnosed me. the nurses who checked me in were nice though so i tried to deal with them and call them when i had problems rather than trying to deal with the pdocs. what i learned was you really have to be your own advocate and push for your own care. they are not going to do it for you. they have to many people to take care of to follow up on anybody, suicidal or not. if you want appts, you have to push for them. you have to put up with assholes if you want treatment. if you dont want assholes you have to request someone else, sometimes contacting the higherups with your request for a change to happen. after your appt, make your next appt if you want continued care. as for a t, it takes a while to find a good fit. i went thru four before i found one that really helped me and even he wasnt the best one for me. he helped stabilize me which was great but after three years i wondered why i kept seeing him because i found i wasnt getting anywhere. he never addressed my trauma. he was at a total loss as to what to do for my anxiety. i had outgrown him. so when i got insurance i switched to someone who specialized in trauma and she and i work excellent together. so if you have options, by all means, go somewhere where you have better choices, but if you dont, you have to stay on top of caring for yourself at the clinic. it sucks, but that is the mental health system in america.