![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BP2TreadingWater on April 1, 2005, at 11:12:01
Hi, all.
I'm seeing a psychiatrist at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York. It's cheap -- about $40 per visit - and I'm on Lamictal 100mg, which seems to be working for my BP-II-rapid-cycling. However, I could really use some help in the "warmth" and "drive" departments. I'm pretty detached and don't always "see" or make appropriate emotional connections when I'm with other people. I've even asked my psych if I was schizoid or autistic, but he swears that I'm neither of these. He won't entertain any thought of polypharmacy, i.e., adding a drug like Mirapex. He's mentioned Ritalin, but I don't want anything that will mess with my noradrenaline -- I tried Strattera with a previous psych and it got me cycling from the first dose!
The other psychs I've read about in New York and who practice polypharmacy will want several hundred dollars in fees each month. My question is: can anyone recommend a decent psych in New York who understands combination treatments and who doesn't cost too much?
Thanks in advance,
BP2TreadingWater
Posted by SLS on April 1, 2005, at 13:28:06
In reply to Where to go in NYC for good psychs???, posted by BP2TreadingWater on April 1, 2005, at 11:12:01
> Hi, all.
>
> I'm seeing a psychiatrist at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York. It's cheap -- about $40 per visit - and I'm on Lamictal 100mg, which seems to be working for my BP-II-rapid-cycling. However, I could really use some help in the "warmth" and "drive" departments. I'm pretty detached and don't always "see" or make appropriate emotional connections when I'm with other people. I've even asked my psych if I was schizoid or autistic, but he swears that I'm neither of these. He won't entertain any thought of polypharmacy, i.e., adding a drug like Mirapex. He's mentioned Ritalin, but I don't want anything that will mess with my noradrenaline -- I tried Strattera with a previous psych and it got me cycling from the first dose!
>
> The other psychs I've read about in New York and who practice polypharmacy will want several hundred dollars in fees each month. My question is: can anyone recommend a decent psych in New York who understands combination treatments and who doesn't cost too much?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> BP2TreadingWater
You could try Matthew Smith at NYU. I don't have his phone number handy, but he does have a private practice on 33rd St.
- Scott
Posted by Iansf on April 1, 2005, at 14:36:46
In reply to Where to go in NYC for good psychs???, posted by BP2TreadingWater on April 1, 2005, at 11:12:01
When I lived in New York and went to the clinic at St. Vincent's, it was reasonably easy to change doctors. You might try that first, making a few inquiries about the other psychiatrists there. The clinic psychiatrists were mostly, if not entirely, residents, and in my experience residents tend to fall into two general categories: very conservative because they're just starting out and afraid to do anything wrong; and cutting edge, eager to search out new approaches. There probably is someone more open than your current doctor.
My second suggestion: contact Dr. Ivan Goldberg's office (his website is Dr. Ivan's Depression Central). He is probably expensive (though I don't know that for sure), but he maintains a list of innovative and open-minded psychiatrists and his office may be able to direct you to someone more affordable.
Good luck.
> Hi, all.
>
> I'm seeing a psychiatrist at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York. It's cheap -- about $40 per visit - and I'm on Lamictal 100mg, which seems to be working for my BP-II-rapid-cycling. However, I could really use some help in the "warmth" and "drive" departments. I'm pretty detached and don't always "see" or make appropriate emotional connections when I'm with other people. I've even asked my psych if I was schizoid or autistic, but he swears that I'm neither of these. He won't entertain any thought of polypharmacy, i.e., adding a drug like Mirapex. He's mentioned Ritalin, but I don't want anything that will mess with my noradrenaline -- I tried Strattera with a previous psych and it got me cycling from the first dose!
>
> The other psychs I've read about in New York and who practice polypharmacy will want several hundred dollars in fees each month. My question is: can anyone recommend a decent psych in New York who understands combination treatments and who doesn't cost too much?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> BP2TreadingWater
Posted by CareBear04 on April 2, 2005, at 13:48:48
In reply to Where to go in NYC for good psychs???, posted by BP2TreadingWater on April 1, 2005, at 11:12:01
hi there,
where in manhattan do you live? i've never been to the NYU outpatient psych clinic, but i know people who have really liked the doctors they saw.
unfortunately, psychaitrists in ny are expensive. in my experience, they-- especially those many who train in psychoanalysis-- charge up to $200 an hour. that doesn't sound like what you need, though. it sounds like you just need a good psychiatrist who is good with meds. i had this conversation once with my ny psychiatrist who said that there are several camps of psychopharmacologists: (1) the big name eminent ones who charge a bundle and take few referrals, (2) the more down to earth drug specialists who may not be as good but still know their stuff and may not charge as much, and (3) psychiatrists who have just finished their residency and are up to date with the latest drug treatments. i would recommend that you find someone from the last category. nyu has tons and tons of psychiatrists affiliated with the school. most of them are downtown or midtown, and some of them might be more affordable than others. nowadays, most any doctor, at least those i've seen, are willingn to experiment with polypharmacy. i've been on 18 drugs at once! the hard part is finding a doctor who can do this well. good luck. post back if you have more questions!
Posted by alohashirt on April 4, 2005, at 20:43:47
In reply to Where to go in NYC for good psychs???, posted by BP2TreadingWater on April 1, 2005, at 11:12:01
My internist is first rate and I've been very happy with his referrals. Do you have a family doctor who can help?
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.