Posted by jay2112 on October 28, 2019, at 19:07:28
In reply to Having Mental Illness in Canada, posted by Prefect on October 28, 2019, at 17:09:29
> Canada is a wonderful country. Except when it comes to getting help for mental health. The idea of a steady psychiatrist who sees you a couple of times a month and counsels you on top of prescribing meds (like on Sopranos) is non-existent here.
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> It takes months to get to see a psychiatrist, post-referral. And when you do, it's usually one-time consults to review your meds and make suggestions. Family doctors, out of desperation, do most of the prescribing of psychopharmacology here due to this.
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> I'm having a lot of difficulty finding a steady psychiatrist. Today I had an appointment with a social worker who was reviewing me for CBT counselling sessions at CAMH (Toronto's biggest psych hospital). He told me due to the severity of my condition, I didn't qualify, as the program was more suited for milder cases.
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> I'm so frustrated.
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> I was wondering if people from Canada on this board had any suggestions? And do people on here from other countries experience the same thing?Hi fellow Canuckian :)
I am really sorry you are having such a tough time. I can relate, in my almost 30 years as a psychiatric patient. I am also a social worker, though, and think that this puts me at a bit of an advantage navigating the system.
Maybe I am lucky...I do have a regular psychiatrist whom I see once every 3 weeks, and is really quite an awesome, easy-going fellow. Ironically, I had his father as my first psychiatrist, back in the early 90's.
I am puzzled why they would deny you for CBT? I have a very severe case of Bipolar 2, and have gone through a few CBT sessions. It bothers me, though, that CBT is replacing more classic psychotherapy. We should have someone regular to talk about ALL of the past, today, and future with. The CAMH, though, is a bit cold and impersonal, like most large psychiatric hospitals.
Well, this board is a great place for support, chat, and feedback. Can I ask what meds you are on?
Someone said, they never fear a thing
Well, I do
And I'm afraid enough for both of us,
For me and you
Time, if nothing else, will do it's worst
So do me a favour, and tell me the good news first
poster:jay2112
thread:1106610
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20191019/msgs/1106613.html