How to find a good psychiatrist?
I'm having trouble finding a good psychiatrist. I really liked my last one, but they were selling vitamins and there was some pressure to buy. My family doctor referred me to another one, but he put me on a dosage of Prozac that was far too low for me and my anxiety and panic got much worse. He refused to change the dosage. Should I ask my family doctor to refer me to someone else? I don't want to make a cold call from the list of doctors on my insurance. Any ideas for good referrals?
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Guest
I've been in this same dilemma.
My suggestion, as I've done this myself, is talk to your family doctor. Ask for another referral. Explain to your physician why you did not like your previous psychiatrist(s), e.g. "my last psych didn't listen to me". If you don't want to try medication, perhaps go a different route and see a psychologist or a licensed clinical case worker (LCCW). Keep trying until you find someone you are comfortable with, stay hopeful during the process, and remember: they work for you and it's okay to tell them you are no longer in need of their services.
I've seen 8 different psychiatrists and psychologists in the past 9 years (and 3 different neurologists for my partial epilepsy) because if I didn't like them I didn't go back to see them, and I would ask my GP for another referral. I'm currently seeing a LCCW whom I like very much, and I get my medications from my GP. So keep trying. It will be worth it in the end.
My suggestion, as I've done this myself, is talk to your family doctor. Ask for another referral. Explain to your physician why you did not like your previous psychiatrist(s), e.g. "my last psych didn't listen to me". If you don't want to try medication, perhaps go a different route and see a psychologist or a licensed clinical case worker (LCCW). Keep trying until you find someone you are comfortable with, stay hopeful during the process, and remember: they work for you and it's okay to tell them you are no longer in need of their services.
I've seen 8 different psychiatrists and psychologists in the past 9 years (and 3 different neurologists for my partial epilepsy) because if I didn't like them I didn't go back to see them, and I would ask my GP for another referral. I'm currently seeing a LCCW whom I like very much, and I get my medications from my GP. So keep trying. It will be worth it in the end.