What's your psychiatrist like?

[johnnyc00]

My psychiatrist was my attending psychiatrist all 4 times I've been to rehab. I've seen him every month since then. It seems like I am the one that calls the shots when it comes to my medication. And he just writes the scripts. I see him for probably 10 minutes at a time. He diagnosed me with bipolar 1 nos, which I really dont believe I have because I dont think ive ever been truly manic. If anything I have bipolar 2 and adhd. I've never taken a psych test in my life, except for the 30 question bs tests. I've been on over 20 different psych meds and when I asked to be put on a stimulant, my life has changed completely. I also asked to be on a real anti-anxiety med (benzo) and that helped tremendously too. Even my therapist (who works in the same office and is supposed to share notes with him) questions my psychiatrist, she is certain I have severe adhd. Even though I am content with my meds, it seems a bit odd that I can basically go in and ask for anything I want. I used to like that about him, and thats why I kept on coming back, but I dont have the urge to drug-seek anymore. Now I just want to cut all the **** and find out exactly whats wrong with me.

Whats your psychiatrist like?

[puddlediver]

your psychiatrist sounds a lot more reasonable than most of the people's on here.

as for miine, he is fantastic. i hope i never have to change.

like, i had needed to get my anti-depressant switched and have been through all the SSRI's, so he gave me a choice between effexor, cymbalta or wellbutrin. he explained the differences between each and let me make my own decision.

same with my benzos (only rule is no more than 4mg a day).

same with my ADHD meds, although he recommended the adderall IR over the time-releases, due to the fact that i need flexible dosing. my insurance won't pay for more than 60mg a day, so he gave me ritalin to use as a booster as needed.

i have been to other psychiatrists, and was never able to find the correct med cocktail. but now it's great.

the best psychiatrists are the ones who will listen to what you have to say, and fix it, and not give out whatever the drug rep that month is pushing.

[Djo77]

My first one was like yours johnyc.
My psychiatrist now kinda tells me what to take, and she is extremly cautious.

[Kaimei]

My psych rocks! She doesn't take any &#% from me, but she's very open-minded. I've always had a problem with finding a good psych or therapist, because I would either bulldoze right over them, or manage to get them all tangled up. I never meant to do it - I was always honestly seeking treatment.

She's the one who finally got my variable, contradictory diagnosis untangled, got me off a whole load of unnecessary medications, and basically buried me under evidence until I grudgingly admitted that I might possibly have ADHD, and yes, a med trial was appropriate.

I'm also remarkably lucky in that I've been able to be open with her about my history of self-medication - alcohol, misusing prescription meds, and occasionally illicit substances. She's never been judgmental about it, never acted as though that disqualified me from benefiting from stimulant medications. Instead, she just set up a series of well...checks and balances in my Adderall trial. I had to demonstrate responsibility with my medication, but she's of the mind that self-medication is significantly different than ongoing addiction, and they require different treatments. I'm trying to remember exactly how she stated it - something along the lines of "Self-medication can be a step on the way to addiction, but that shouldn't automatically disqualify people from trying certain meds. Self-medicators are looking for a way to cope, and if medication is the right tool, they tend to stop looking. Ongoing addictions and self-medicating behavior require different kinds of management."

I lucked out.

[Michiko74]

Mine is defintely not the touchy feely type. Don't get me wrong, he's great. He knows all the medications out there, and all the different types of treatments. He comes off a bit strange, but there's no doubt that he treats the ADHD.

[CaptainCadet]

Mine always looks like he's constipated. I never know if he is annoyed with me or what, but he's really nice, just...his facial expression is a bit scary.

[TheChemicals]

70,m, bald, glassess. Mostly using computer system to calculate what is going on with me. He told me once, i am not here to be your friend, im here to help you. Thought it was a bit off but i just smiled and asked for my concerta pez dispenser

[buddy]

My psychiatrist was very nice & he certainly knew all about the different meds.He was also in the process of weaning me off the Xanax that I take for anxiety.As of tomorrow I will be seeing someone else from now on, because the original doctor is moving on.I just hope the new doctor gets to know me before changing any of my meds.

[fracturedstory]

My psychiatrist is nice. He understands my issues, writes my scripts, though he thinks I'd actually be able to manage on my own. But I suppose him believing in me is better than giving up on me, right?

[johnnyc00]

Originally Posted by puddlediver

your psychiatrist sounds a lot more reasonable than most of the people's on here.

as for miine, he is fantastic. i hope i never have to change.

like, i had needed to get my anti-depressant switched and have been through all the SSRI's, so he gave me a choice between effexor, cymbalta or wellbutrin. he explained the differences between each and let me make my own decision.

same with my benzos (only rule is no more than 4mg a day).

same with my ADHD meds, although he recommended the adderall IR over the time-releases, due to the fact that i need flexible dosing. my insurance won't pay for more than 60mg a day, so he gave me ritalin to use as a booster as needed.

i have been to other psychiatrists, and was never able to find the correct med cocktail. but now it's great.

the best psychiatrists are the ones who will listen to what you have to say, and fix it, and not give out whatever the drug rep that month is pushing.

You're right, I guess I'm over thinking everything. My med cocktail right now is perfect, I've never felt better. I guess I just want a correct diagnosis because I truly think im not bipolar. But that got me thinking, my diagnosis doesnt matter, the correct meds do. I just am scared I am going to become dependent on the benzos, I've been on them for probably a year and never developed "withdrawal symptoms". But im only 17, I am worried that I will have to rely on a pill for the rest of my life. I love my psychiatrist though, and I am always honest about everything including my substance abuse past and he understands. I just think that I would need a little more guidance from a doctor.

[oscarthesmooch]

Originally Posted by Kaimei

My psych rocks! She doesn't take any &#% from me, but she's very open-minded. I've always had a problem with finding a good psych or therapist, because I would either bulldoze right over them, or manage to get them all tangled up. I never meant to do it - I was always honestly seeking treatment.

She's the one who finally got my variable, contradictory diagnosis untangled, got me off a whole load of unnecessary medications, and basically buried me under evidence until I grudgingly admitted that I might possibly have ADHD, and yes, a med trial was appropriate.

I'm also remarkably lucky in that I've been able to be open with her about my history of self-medication - alcohol, misusing prescription meds, and occasionally illicit substances. She's never been judgmental about it, never acted as though that disqualified me from benefiting from stimulant medications. Instead, she just set up a series of well...checks and balances in my Adderall trial. I had to demonstrate responsibility with my medication, but she's of the mind that self-medication is significantly different than ongoing addiction, and they require different treatments. I'm trying to remember exactly how she stated it - something along the lines of "Self-medication can be a step on the way to addiction, but that shouldn't automatically disqualify people from trying certain meds. Self-medicators are looking for a way to cope, and if medication is the right tool, they tend to stop looking. Ongoing addictions and self-medicating behavior require different kinds of management."

I lucked out.

Hi,
I'm new to the website and am keen to find a good Psych. Are you happy/able to share the details of yours?
I live in the Inner West but can and will travel for the right Doctor.
Many thanks,
K