Posted by Carol on March 17, 1999, at 8:04:02
In reply to Re: new therapist-help, posted by Mike on March 15, 1999, at 21:19:52
Mike wrote:
> how do you know when you need a change. i been with this guy for 2 months and told him how i almost comit suicide and he suggested another way i could do it. time to leave him?Mike,
Two months seems like a long time when you're depressed, and it probably feels like you've given this Dr. a chance. Two thoughts: How often do you see the Dr., and are you also seeing someone for "talk" therapy? If you're only seeing the Dr. for med. therapy, you know that there is a "lead time" for any medications that runs from 1 to 4 weeks to see if the med. is effective.
Maybe the Dr. is challenging you to LOOK at what you're thinking and doing-- for example, the "advice" on how to kill yourself some other way may be just to get your attention, and to help you realize that suicide is not a good solution. Having someone else for "talk" therapy can also help. That person can help you take a look at yourself, and usually is more available then the Dr. for helping on short notice or for emergencies.
You might need a change to a new Dr. if:
- after 2 or 3 more months, you are not agreeing on what is the next step to take
- the Dr. insists that you take meds with side effects you just can't stand
- the Dr. can't define what a "success" will look like
- there is a personality clash For example, I have had some Drs. who could not deal with the way I looked at meds, and did not understand that I could look at stuff in a detached way (I'm a scientist by training)
I'm not sure if you're in any of these circumstances. Step back, evaluate the situation, then decide and ACT. Take control of this part of your life. You could also ASK the Dr. why he's telling you this...Carol
poster:Carol
thread:3247
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990401/msgs/3756.html