Psychiatrist visit

[jimmyj]

Dear all I visited a consultant psychiatrist yesterday and informed him of my last 20 years where I have suffered different degrees of anxiety ,Im not agoraphobic as such but avoid large cities as tall buildings can bring in panic . Basically he said its the way I and others are hardwired and nothing really can help you either have to live with it or take meds which may or may not help.

The last 12 months have been quite bad I came off citalopram and feel very sad and grumpy ,he recommended sertraline but wanted to stay med free.

He also mentioned another patient he has a very young man who is housebound and he said he would never get better! I didnt leave very upbeat.

Is meds really the only way to go like he said

[Vanilla Sky]

Hi,
Sometimes it is im afraid :mad: Some people such as myself have to stay on meds long term or indeed for life . Perhaps you could see someone else , i agree that the thought of never getting better would cause you distress . Thats what I would do , get another opinion

Paige x

[jimmyj]

so would you recommend trying the meds then .

[MyNameIsTerry]

Sounds like a very unscientific psychiatrist to me.

I wonder if he has ever heard of therapy?

[jimmyj]

I know he was very matter of fact saying it may help but would be very slight and I would just have to live with it or try meds.

[pulisa]

I hope you didn't pay to see him? Sorry you had such a poor consultation. You certainly could do with a second opinion.

[jimmyj]

well I havent had the bill yet Im thinking I should not pay actually he was basically saying theres no hope!

[pulisa]

That's appalling. I thought he might be an NHS psych but for a private psych to treat you like this...

I really think you should get an explanation as to why he said such things and I certainly wouldn't pay the bill if you are not satisfied

[MyNameIsTerry]

Perhaps just one of the pill pusher types, pulisa?

I wonder how much he is leeching of the other bloke be had convinced must take meds for life?

[pulisa]

It's in a psych's interests to push pills and keep the (costly) appointments going...

Jimmy, I think you deserve a far better consultation and an explanation of how different forms of therapy may be worth a try if you don't want to take meds? A psychologist would be able to assess you and decide on what therapy may be the most appropriate?

[jimmyj]

Thanks I intend to write a letter of complaint,I felt so hopeless after leaving I imagined he would offer some sort of programme rather than saying pills or put up with it !

[pulisa]

My daughter is unable to take meds due to life-threatening complications. She sees a psychologist on a weekly basis and is having specialised therapy. Meds aren't the be-all-and-end-all and "putting up with it" isn't what you would expect a consultant psychiatrist to offer either. Especially a private one who should have more time for you...

[jimmyj]

Thanks ,I suppose it is a lifelong condition though that has to be managed

[pulisa]

Maybe and maybe not. You certainly deserve more than the fob off you got. Managing anxiety/depression involves many options and I think you need to have these explained to you in depth at the very least

[jimmyj]

He said its not unusual to be in meds for life and does change some peoples lived for better

[pulisa]

This may well be the case for some people but there are other options.

[jimmyj]

so he was wrong to say other therapies would have very limited success