Should I leave my doc?

I posted a similar post here before and decided to wait out the issue but it isn't getting better. The problem is this. He is horrible at returning phone calls. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal but when you feel depressed as hell and are waiting for the phone call that could put you on the road to feeling better, it is a big deal. A couple weeks ago, I broke down and called his emergency pager for the first time ever. It took him over 24 hours to get back to me. I had to call the number again the next day. Is this normal and acceptable? Friends and family are starting to suggest that I get a new doc. Am I being stubborn to want to stay? I think the only thing keeping me with him is he was the only one who listened to me and believed me. I started getting better with him and I don't want to start all over again. What should I do? Sorry this is so long!

I think that it might be worth talking to him about this. Asking him: 'If I call your emergency number then about how soon can I expect a response from you?' Different people can have different conceptions of what is appropriate there. Sometimes therapists would prefer you to call them instead of crisis assessment (for example) and they can promise to get back to you within 12 or 24 hours, and other therapists would prefer you to call crisis assessment in the case of emergency and they can't promise to get back to you within 72 hours or whatever.

I think it is fair enough to ask about what your therapist thinks is appropriate and to tell your therapist what you think is appropriate. It might be that because of your therapists situation he simply can't offer you anything more than what he is offering you, or it might be that he can meet you a little more.

I guess the only way to know is it ask...

It might turn out that you need more than he can provide in which case it would be appropriate to move on...

Hello Suzy sorry you are gong through this with your Dr. I agree that you should let the Dr know that you are a mental health patient , and that you feel that you deserve a call back in a timely manner, when you have a problem with your dosorder. Maybe then you can call wehn you are not feeling well again and if it doesnt changego to another Dr at that time. Although I would look for another Dr and possibly make an appointment, since you will have a wait, to see another Dr just in case your Dr does not measure up to your standards on the next phone call. Dont leave yourself without a Dr. I am going to leave you the hotline number to call if you need to call and talk to someone as well 1-800-273-TALK and of course you may email me anytime I hope to see you in chat today at 12 this afternoon in the Support Room Sincerely Soidhonia

Sometimes yes this is normal. for example my therapist has on her voice mail message that it may take her up to two days to call the caller back and that if it is an emergency call the main office number. the main office number has people answering the phone 24 hours a day and there is always a professional on call with a beeper. the person calls the main number and either the person on call takes the call.

Years ago I learned that what may be an emergency for me may be down time for my therapist and therapists also have their own problems and families to take care of.

so I choose a "back up" therapist. that way I am never without help when I am in crisis.

I choose the back up from the same therapy agency that I recieve my therapist at so that the back up has access to my therapist and my files so that no matter what is going on that therapist knows what my therapist and I are doing. I usually sign release forms for the back up and my therapist to talk to each other at any point too.

This time I did not have to sign any release forms because the agency decided for continuity of care purposes that LL would have the same supervisor for my case that my past therapist SKR had because E (Supervisor) had been on the case fot the full three years that I has SKR.

So anyway LL asked me if I felt comfortable having E as my "back up" (my previous one had gotten laid off 6 months before SKR did). E is like a guardian angel on my case. I have never met her but she had no problem jumping right in there and going to bat for me and SKR when we needed her help against a DHS caseworker. So right away I said yes to E being my back up.

Now no matter what is going on all I have to do is call the main number and tell the person who answers the phone to call my therapist and ask her if she would take the call or if I should talk to my back up.

In all the years that I have done things this way I have never been left hanging for the odds of two therapists having a family crisis, on vacation and any other reasons, at the same time is slim to none.

Its easy to choose a back up. when in the waiting room I watch as the other professionals interact with each other and how they greet their clients and so on. then when I have a couple in mind I approach them and tell them I would like them to be my back up person if in an emergency my therapist cannot take my calls. Then I tell my therapist that I have chosen a backup and we sign the release of information forms and the two therapists meet to discuss me and so on.

Maybe you can set up a back up that way you will not have to wait when you are in crisis just because your therapist is out to dinner with the family, on vacation, having some down time so they don't get burned out, seeing their own therapist, dealing with another person who happens to be in crisis when you are and so on.

Therapists are human and they can't expect to be everywhere at once. having a back up has really helped me and my therapists over the years out.

Soidhonia, I didn't write this post. I was in the chat room with you the other day so I don't want you to be confused. My doc and therapist answer within 12 hrs., even on their days off. I don't call often, but did recently when I felt a mania coming on & I always call quickly when I get depressed cuz that goes really fast into the suicidial ideation. Looking forward to talking to you & others in the chat room.--Suzy