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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cs on October 16, 2000, at 20:50:42
Hello-just wondering, those of you with anxiety or depression-do you see your regular family physician or do you specifically go to a psychiatrist? cs
Posted by Phil on October 17, 2000, at 9:07:35
In reply to survey-what type of doctor?, posted by cs on October 16, 2000, at 20:50:42
> Hello-just wondering, those of you with anxiety or depression-do you see your regular family physician or do you specifically go to a psychiatrist? cs
cs..I was seeing a psychopharmacologist, now seeing a psychiatrist. I, personally, would never go to a family doc for psych meds. It's not their specialty. I have spoken to 2 or 3 over the last 15 or so years that were profoundly ignorant about psych meds.
When I see people posting that they are getting their meds from a GP it sends shivers up my spine.
Phil
Posted by Phil on October 17, 2000, at 11:02:01
In reply to Re: survey-what type of doctor?, posted by Phil on October 17, 2000, at 9:07:35
To be fair, the first psychiatrist I saw in the early eighties was completely oblivious, IMO, that I was presenting w/ major depression. He kinda missed da meanin of da message and sent me on my way w/ a pep-talk of sorts.
Always important to ask around and shop around.
Noa's example of thyroid difficulties and digging deeper is a good example. See specialists. And, MOST IMPORTANTLY, educate yourself. Psycho-Babble has been the best thing for me in learning and sharing about meds.
Probably more answer than you were looking for!!
Phil
Posted by noa on October 17, 2000, at 12:00:14
In reply to Re: survey-what type of doctor?ps to cs, posted by Phil on October 17, 2000, at 11:02:01
Therapy--psychologist
Meds--psychiatrist specializing in psychopharm (doesn't do therapy)
other: endocrinologist for thyroid, etc.
I like my GP, but she cannot possibly spend enough time getting to know the intricacies of any of the specialty areas that are affected by my psych-endo problems. Same goes for my gyno--she had to look up "methylphenidate"--ie, didn't recognize the name. Doesn't mean she isn't a good gyno, tho. In fact, she uses my endo as a consultant a lot.
Posted by shellie on October 17, 2000, at 13:35:18
In reply to Re: survey-what type of doctor?, posted by noa on October 17, 2000, at 12:00:14
Meds-- psychiatrist/psychopharmacologist (doesn't have a therapy practise).
p.s. I don't think the results on this board would mirror the population at large being treated for depression. shellie
Posted by noa on October 17, 2000, at 14:15:47
In reply to Re: survey-what type of doctor?, posted by shellie on October 17, 2000, at 13:35:18
> p.s. I don't think the results on this board would mirror the population at large being treated for depression. shellie
I agree--I think most meds are prescribed by the family doc.
Posted by allisonm on October 17, 2000, at 19:54:33
In reply to survey-what type of doctor?, posted by cs on October 16, 2000, at 20:50:42
Psychiatrist (a D.O.) who does both. I see him weekly for therapy and within that time we discuss the meds I'm on when necessary. I like the one-stop shopping, and I think he knows better what's going on with me and meds because he sees me every week and can tell the difference between med problems and mind problems when there are problems beyond the current. Don't know if this makes sense.
Posted by ksvt on October 17, 2000, at 21:31:46
In reply to Re: survey-what type of doctor?, posted by allisonm on October 17, 2000, at 19:54:33
> Psychiatrist (a D.O.) who does both. I see him weekly for therapy and within that time we discuss the meds I'm on when necessary. I like the one-stop shopping, and I think he knows better what's going on with me and meds because he sees me every week and can tell the difference between med problems and mind problems when there are problems beyond the current. Don't know if this makes sense.
I used to see my psychiatrist in therapy but stopped that a few years ago and started seeing a woman therapist (Phd). I'm still in touch with my psychiatrist on meds issues and he stays in touch with my therapist also. I think it's helpful that he has so much history with me now. He's pretty close to retirement and I've given some thought to what I'll do when he does fully retire. I'm pretty sure I'll find another psychiatrist, perhaps one with more of a psychpharm bent than him. I can't imagine dealing with all of this with my family practitioner. Those folks just don't seem to have the time. ksvt
Posted by quilter on October 17, 2000, at 23:44:07
In reply to Re: survey-what type of doctor?, posted by ksvt on October 17, 2000, at 21:31:46
I have seen both pdocs and family docs at different stages. We tend to be short of drs. here, so it is rare for an MD to do counselling as well as med management. I saw my family doc for meds after my shrink left town. I was stable and all he really did was write scripts. He had completely missed the post-partum depression I had until I attempted suicide. Got a new pdoc when the going got tough again.
Now my med routine is so complex I doubt that a family doc could correctly treat me for a cold.
I'm in the process of starting with a new psychotherapist. I will miss my old one when she leaves.
Quilter
Posted by tenuous on October 21, 2000, at 6:13:16
In reply to Re: survey-what type of doctor?, posted by quilter on October 17, 2000, at 23:44:07
Family doctor. He really just wrote the prescription for the anti-depressant
that I asked for. If it turns out I have to add an anti-manic med then I will
probably have to go to a psychiatrist. I'm trying to avoid them because of
previous bad experiences, including insisting that I sit through chat therapy
at $150/week in order to get the meds.
Posted by Shell on October 25, 2000, at 11:56:14
In reply to Re: survey-what type of doctor?, posted by tenuous on October 21, 2000, at 6:13:16
I go to my family doctor, both for the OCD for which I have been taking medication for five years and for the depression that is more recent. She hasn't so far mentioned anything about the need to see a psychiatrist, psychopharmacologist, psychologist or therapist.
Does everyone here have therapy in addition to medication? The only time I did see a therapist (psychologist - PsyD) was after a referral from an anxiety disorders screening. He put me through a battery of tests and when he diagnosed OCD, told me that I needed to get medication from my family doctor. He also told me that there was no reason for me to continue to see him because OCD is mostly a neurochemical disorder and therapy would not really make a difference.
Is there a point at which you know it is time to see a psychiatrist rather than your family doctor? If so, does the doctor usually recommend the referral? I don't want to ask for a referral if it will give her the implication that I don't think she is capable of helping me.
Thanks,
Shell
Posted by Cindy W on October 26, 2000, at 21:23:35
In reply to survey-what type of doctor?, posted by cs on October 16, 2000, at 20:50:42
> Hello-just wondering, those of you with anxiety or depression-do you see your regular family physician or do you specifically go to a psychiatrist? cs
cs, I go to a psychiatrist, for depression and OCD. My family doctor didn't feel comfortable prescribing anything but Prozac and the pdoc is wonderful and very knowledgeable about meds. I don't think I'd let just anybody mess with my brain!--Cindy W
This is the end of the thread.
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