FINDING THE RIGHT PSYCHIATRIST

Like therapists, doctors, and so on, there are good and bad psychiatrists. Finding a good one is a process that can take time. Unfortunately, there are a number of bad psychiatrists out there. Like finding any medical professional, you may have to see a few before you find the right one. It's extra hard to make the right judgment about a psychiatrist when after an hour long first appointment, you see him or her for twenty minutes or so on your next appointment. You're asked a number of questions and given a prescription.

 

Some psychiatrists over-medicate and some do not give enough. There are also ones who take you off all your medications without slowly taking you off or one that gives you a wrong diagnosis.

I went to a psychiatrist during my college years who asked me a few questions and put me on an antidepressant. My depression worsened. He told me to give it two weeks to take effect. Within a month I was no better. He automatically took me off my medication and started me on a new one. Not only did my depression worsen, but I went into withdrawal. At my appointments, he asked me unusual

questions that had little to do with my illness and wrote me a prescription. After a few months, with no change in my depression, I decided to change psychiatrists.

I went to another one who had me on four different medications. When the antidepressants started causing side effects, he added another medication to counteract the side effects. He showed little compassion and made me feel uncomfortable about coming to see him. I decided to ask a friend which psychiatrist she was seeing and once again decided to change.

This therapist slowly decreased my medication and explained my illness to me. He showed me compassion and continued to be my doctor for years until he retired. I was referred to another doctor who works in the same building. I noticed I started having uncontrollable shakes and memory loss. After testing by a neurologist, it was determined that my medications were causing these problems. After being on my antidepressants for several years, I was starting to have side effects. The new psychiatrist took me off all my medications immediately sending me into withdrawal. He prescribed sleeping medications that said in the information not to give to those suffering with mental illness. I couldn't sleep for over a week.

Another friend referred me to the psychiatrist I see now. He shows compassion, he's very knowledgeable about medications and never takes me off of my antidepressants without weening me off. Thanks to his knowledge and compassion I continue to dance in the light.

Ask friends for referrals, ask your doctor, talk to someone at a mental health hospital and look into mental health associations for psychiatrists. There are also websites that can guide you in your search for a psychiatrist. With the right psychiatrist, you can also dance in the light.