Posted by Sulpicia on April 8, 2001, at 14:13:45
In reply to Re: How often should my child see her p-doc?, posted by Moors on April 8, 2001, at 13:59:37
> > Hi--
Yes, I've been there too. My 15 y/o has bipolar disorder so we needed the best pdoc for meds.
Most of her interactions in the beginning were medication management and at one point I asked
him if he just didn't do therapy -- something I thought was crucial. His answer surprised me.
He said that right now he felt she was too unstable for it. As she stabilized, I raised the issue
again, and he told me that he didn't think she would benefit from a theraputic relationship at that
point. In the last several months however, she has expressed an interest in seeing the pdoc for
therapy, and he is delighted. So for us, knowing how the pdoc was thinking about this, this worked.For medication management with informed parents -- meaning that you know what to watch for with the
med and your child's problem, these sporadic visits seem fine. I would certainly ask, on the phone or
in person, whether your child would benefit from therapy. If yes, from whom?Not all kids need therapy or will participate but I would certainly pin the pdoc down.
The other factor here is insurance. We pay full price to our pdoc. None of the good ones accept our insurance
and even if we stayed with our insurance [which would have led to my child's death I might add] a psychiatrist
would not be doing her therapy. A social worker would.So ask the pdoc about therapy, figure out how your insurance works, and take it from there.
And of course educate yourself about Paxil and your child's diagnosis -- i.e., what is the most
efficacious treatment.
Good luck,
S.
poster:Sulpicia
thread:166
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/child/20000813/msgs/169.html