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| Thu, 12-23-2004 - 12:10pm |
Hi all,
I've been lurking here for a few days, and I'm very impressed with the information being exchanged.
I have a question, but a little background first:
I am cyclothymic (bi-polar) - diagnosed a few years back, but mostly experience depression and a bit of hypo-mania (no severe manic episodes thank heaven) so I was not pushed to try medication, since I seemed to be able to manage my symptoms on my own and bi-polars don't do well on straight anti-depressants anyway. I did have some therapy a few times back then, but recently decided I wanted to get on some medication (I got really tired of managing my moods through sheer force of will...It just wasn't working anymore)
My father was a severe bi-polar who committed suicide seven years back, so I have a good background in realizing when moods are getting out of control. What they look like and feel like. I don't think I've ever been (or will ever be) 'normal' but for years I functioned perfectly well. Then I had one pretty severe depressive episode and have never really bounced back. I cycle rapidly from feeling fine to being just disgusted with myself and everything else.
Even with all of this knowledge, I don't have a lot of experience with pdocs or tdocs as my Dad would never go, and I've only been a few times...
Anyway, my quesion is this: Do Psychiatrists actually talk to you, or are they just to dispense medication? Mine is very quick when I go in, just wants to talk about meds and how they are working, but doesn't really ask about anything else and the appointment only lasts about 10 mins... I feel stupid asking this, but I really don't know... Do you have to see a psychologist to actually talk about your feelings... Do I need two doctors? I don't want to think my pdoc is a bad doctor if he is only doing what is expected of him... Somehow I thought I'd get some therapy along with the meds, but that hasn't happened.

Hey Cat and welcome to the board!
Hi Keli,
I've started taking Abilify. So far, so good, it is relieving a lot of my depression (although not all of it... unfortunately) I take a child size dose (5 mgs) because I have always be hyper-sensitive to medications. Took prozac once and had EVERY side effect possible, all at the same time... what a nightmare that was. Anyway, my pdoc went through seven different medications and the side-effects, and we dedided to start with Abilify for it's lack of horrible side-effects and change up to another med if it doesn't work. I've been taking it for about 10 weeks now and it seems to help, but I may need to bump up to 10 mgs at some point soon.
Hey there!
Hi Cattwomeannc,
Welcome. I don't have anything to add to what Keli said really. I know my HMO just pays my pdoc for a 15 minute med visit (including his charting and paperwork time) after the initial intake interview. They will pay for a separate tdoc though. Go Figure...
I'm glad you're here and have a med you like.
Love,
Jamie
Love,
Welcome to the board, I'm glad you decided to de-lurk!
Anymore most pdocs strictly do meds and leave it to the tdocs to do the actual therapy.
Hi -
I'm one of the fortunate ones who has a psychiatrist who is also my therapist which is very helpful, but I PAY for it! As others have said, most psychiatrists will accept assignment for med visits but not for therapy since the reimbursement is so low (I'm in a field that also has that situation). So, I decided this guy was worth it to pay out of pocket, and my insurance does cover about 65% which was a pleasant surprise. So, I do less of some things in order to pay for it, but it has been worth it and works for me. I totally understand that most women can't afford to pay out of pocket. So, I feel very blessed to have this as an option.
peace and love,
just_a_big_kid
Sue
peace and love,
just_a_big_kid