[tealBumblebee]

So after months of searching for a new Pdoc, I finally get in with one. It was perfect. He was in the same office as T, was available to be seen the day I questioned his availability, was young/friendly, etc. We had the initial session and he decided that adding a mood stabilizer would benefit me.

He and T talked over the weekend, and in session today, she told me that he decided that he was not equipped/skilled enough to take me on as a patient and was referring me to his higher up from now on after our next (2nd) session.

Has this ever happened to anyone? I mean, I appreciate him not wasting my time and money, but geez - an hour session, I haven't gone into any personal details and you're already kicking me to the curb? I don't know if its an insult or an accomplishment, lol.

I haven't truly seen a pDoc before, but I think I may be slightly intimidated with meeting a more "experienced" pDoc...

It just feels odd, I suppose.

[Miswimmy1]

I'm sorry - that does seem odd that he referred you out so quickly. Did you ask him why? Do you think that it might have something to do with his proximity to your ex-T? (not that it's a good reason to refer you)

[Argonautomobile]

Man, sorry that happened to you!

I know it's easier said than done, but I would try not to take this personally--or as any reflection of YOU at all. It sounds to me like this Pdoc is sort of insecure and being super cautious.

Still, I think it's a good thing. Better to know now than to run into a problem three months down the road, right? If it were me, I'd feel alright about it knowing this came after Pdoc talking to T. I trust my T knows me pretty well and would encourage a Pdoc to refer me if it wasn't going to work. I's still probably want to talk about it, though.

Hope it goes well with new Pdoc. I can understand being intimidated meeting a more "experienced" one, but there's no need to be.

Good luck!

[retro_chic]

I know it is hard but I wouldn't take it personally. I have found that a lot Ts and Pdocs tend to have an area (or two) that they specialise in so it could just be that you don't really fall into their area of expertise. My T for example only sees adults and specialises in treating Depression and Anxiety disorders as well as non-diagnosable conditions such as relationship difficulties and low self esteem. It is a perfect fit for me but obviously not suitable for everyone. So maybe it is similar with your Pdoc?

[ThisWayOut]

Did T give you the referral? If so, perhaps PDoc feels put-of-his-depth?
If not, there's a chance that T and PDoc both treating you would compromize confidentiality and best course of treatment (if T and PDoc have a relationship other than co-workers).
Either way, it's probably good that he is passing you along. I had a T refer me out after a single session b/c my story hit very close to home for her. Hope the next one is better equipped to help.

[luvnola]

I've had that happen once before and it was because after the pdoc spoke with my t, she felt she wasn't experienced enough for my case. It's actually a good thing. It's the ones who don't recognize their own limits who scare me. Hope the new one works out for you.

[Catlady360]

I've had something similar happen to me, but that time it was the therapist who outright said that she didn't think she could help me (I checked and she should have been able to as I'm dealing with stuff in her field but eh, I have a better therapist now). But yes, as others have said, it could be that your therapist and the pdoc have a relationship or something along those lines.

In any case, good luck with everything.

[tealBumblebee]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the replies!

So I had my follow up with him this week. I asked him why he was referring me out, and basically they said that I was pretty manic when I saw him, and then because I had two hospitalizations in one year (3 months apart) that I they felt that I needed to be stabilized, which is out of his realm.

So the goal is to see the new doctor in two weeks, and once they get the mood stabilizer (Lamictal) where they want it, they are going to work on the antidepressant (Celexa) which i'm at the max dose on because they don't think it is affective. T said that he is fairly new (they work in the same office) so she doesn't know as much about him, but she speaks very highly of his superior who I am being referred to.

So, its all okay. I'm content (now) with seeing the new guy and though I feel stable, I think my track record proves not so much - so I'll be glad to be "normal" again.

[growlycat]

You say that he is young. Inexperienced? Then it is a good thing he recognized this right away. Actually, it seems very responsible of him!!