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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by aquestioner on June 25, 2003, at 23:02:18
Hi, I'm new to all of this stuff and really don't like my psychiatrist. He seems rude, disinterested, and not helpful. I keep telling him that I get so angry I feel like I'm losing control of myself and might hurt someone and he just says that is "normal in depression and anxiety," and sends me on my way. I just started 150 of WEllbutrin in the mornings and want to kill by late afternoon. How can I find a good doc? Do I "interview" them? I don't know anyone who can suggest one here...I'm in San Diego...anyone have a nice, good doc?
Posted by paxvox on June 26, 2003, at 18:54:25
In reply to how to find a good doc, posted by aquestioner on June 25, 2003, at 23:02:18
Gesse, in a city the size of San Diego, you should have no problems finding a good Pdoc. First of all, find someone who is LISTENING to you. Ask questions, and expect answers. Ask until you understand WHAT he thinks is going on with you, HOW he is going to try and treat it, WHY is he giving you the specific meds, and what do they act upon (brain chemistry). Too many "professionals" don't think we "common folk" are able to understand what is wrong with us, let alone be a part of the treatment procedure. Secondly, don't allow your doc to treat you as chocolate or vanilla when it comes to meds. NO TWO PEOPLE react exactly the same way to the same dose of meds. Any REAL scientist is going to have to experiment with perhaps many different med combos until he finds the one just right for YOU (your *cocktail*, as you may read others describe their med combos). Don't be satisfied with that sort of casual treatment. If one doc either A) doesn't listen to you or B)Doesn't seem to treat your symptoms aggressively, find another one who will. It's like shopping for clothes, look around until you find what fits you the best. You cannot allow THEM to tell you what they are going to DO to you, but how you BOTH are going to work together to treat your condition. Lay it out front with your doc and tell him what you expect of him. Sometimes it may take that sort of jolt for a doc to realize that you are actually a person.
PAX
Posted by aquestioner on June 26, 2003, at 22:06:49
In reply to Re: how to find a good doc, posted by paxvox on June 26, 2003, at 18:54:25
Pax, thanks, that's exactly how I feel but, i dont' know I guess i let him bully me around. Thanks, I guess I'll look around online for a new doc.
Posted by fallsfall on June 27, 2003, at 0:02:54
In reply to Re: how to find a good doc, posted by aquestioner on June 26, 2003, at 22:06:49
I've just found a new therapist and it seemed to go really well. I got recommendations from my doctors (current therapist, pdoc, GP), and from 2 friends who are therapists, and from someone who has been in therapy for a while who I really respect. If a therapist came up on two different people's lists, that was good. I chose 5 therapists. I had had sessions with one in the past. I did interviews with the other 4 (I paid for these sessions, though one of my friends says that she will do interviews for free). That eliminated 3, and I talked to people I trusted about the other two - and I see him tomorrow!
Pdocs might be less likely to give free interviews. I had conversations on the phone before going to see these people in person, that was helpful to limit the number of unsuitable candidates.
Good luck!
A good pdoc is a wonderful thing
Posted by David Smith on June 27, 2003, at 0:10:20
In reply to how to find a good doc, posted by aquestioner on June 25, 2003, at 23:02:18
> Hi, I'm new to all of this stuff and really don't like my psychiatrist. He seems rude, disinterested, and not helpful. I keep telling him that I get so angry I feel like I'm losing control of myself and might hurt someone and he just says that is "normal in depression and anxiety," and sends me on my way. I just started 150 of WEllbutrin in the mornings and want to kill by late afternoon. How can I find a good doc? Do I "interview" them? I don't know anyone who can suggest one here...I'm in San Diego...anyone have a nice, good doc?
I envy you. You have the opportunity to control the course of your condition. For many of us years of psychopharmocology has left us with few options.
I suggest you search for a good nutritionist first. "Mental illness" often has physical causes beyond the traditional model of a chemical imbalance. A holistic practioner may help to identify what your true needs are. They may also provide a good referral should you truly require a psychiatrist.
You may want to adjust your dosage of wellbutrin. A pill cutter is invaluable. Please consider discussing this with your doctor. Talk to him even if it is difficult.
My brother took wellbutrin and experienced similar effects. Unfortunately he was taking the extended release formula and getting off of it proved to be very difficult.
By the way, some of my best doctors/therapists were jerks. I agree that all health care workers should be compassionate but they are only human too. It is too easy to be distracted from our own needs.
Best wishes to you. I am struggling with anger myself. It is frightening losing control of my body due to rage. That is the time when I challenge myself the most. And when I conquer the rage I feel so goooood!
Dave
Posted by Viridis on June 28, 2003, at 0:38:02
In reply to Re: how to find a good doc, posted by David Smith on June 27, 2003, at 0:10:20
I think psychiatrists are much like people in most professions -- some are awful, most are mediocre, and a few are excellent (of course it's really a continuum). And, some are good for certain patients but not others. So, although it sounds kind of callous, finding a good psychiatrist is not so different from finding a good plumber or mechanic (except that much more is at stake!).
As others here have suggested, references from therapists can be helpful, if you're seeing one. Your GP might know a good psychiatrist, if you're lucky. If you have friends who are seeing psychiatrists, ask them what they think. And of course, above all, you'll probably have to try out a few yourself before you find one you connect with, if that's an option. Then there's the element of luck -- and the harder you try, the "luckier" you'll get.
I have a great, compassionate psychiatrist now, who's willing to try lots of options, listens to what I say, and lets me tailor my treatment to suit my needs (within reason). However, I've seen some real duds, or ones who are stuck on a particular drug as a one-size-fits-all med. I found my current pdoc after a bad experience with my GP, who doesn't have a clue about mental problems. At that point (after 12 years or so of bouncing around from psychiatrist to GP to therapist, and being prescribed meds inappropriate for me, or none at all), I decided I would find a good psychiatrist no matter what.
I made a list of the psychiatrists in my area who were on my insurance plan, and set appointments with a series of them. Many couldn't see me for a month or two, but one had an opening in two weeks. I went to see him, we really clicked, and he quickly determined that the various meds I'd been on just weren't right for me. His intuition has been very good, and when I tell him a med isn't working, he takes me off it. I do best with a combination of low doses of several meds, determined by a mixture of my ideas, his, and trial and error. Sometimes I have to wait to see him, but that's because his "15 minute" med checks sometimes stretch much longer if he feels he needs more time with a patient. Now I generally take the last appointment of the day, and it's not uncommon for him to stay an hour or more past his official closing time if necessary.
I kind of hit it lucky (and simply cancelled my other appointments), but he could also have been the third or fourth or eighth I'd seen -- the point is that I finally decided I wouldn't put up with suboptimal treatment and would hold out for the best. Since then, I've heard from several people that he's become widely respected in the region and is hard to get an appointment with. Yet, he says he can always get me in on 24 hours notice if there's a problem, because psychiatrists have so many cancellations.
So, I'd try to line up appointments with several if you can, see them until you find one who seems right for you, cancel the others, and stick with him or her. There are good ones out there -- it may just take some looking, and some negative experiences along the way.
This is the end of the thread.
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