i finally saw my new psychiatrist last week
my last dr left & being assigned a new one taken some months
i did not have a good relationship with my previous psychiatrist
in fact
she terrified me
she was a good example of what mental health professionals
should
not be
she always appeared to be very judgemental
her approach was
cold
harsh
blameful
i always left appointments feeling
worthless
she basically shored up my
self
loathing.
the most troublesome aspect of our therapeutic relationship
was
that she didn’t actually want to treat me
she appeared to have given up
i enquired
more than once
about a change of medication
some chemical help with my
anxiety
&
insomnia
her response was always the same
i had exhausted my options
i was now left with
lithium
or the status quo
she dismissed my fears about lithium
and
declared
that she could not help me
if i would not accept her advice
and
so
i was stuck
she didn’t help
she just scared me
but
i was too frightened to ask for someone else
i didn’t feel i had the right
to question her
for once the fates were on my side
she left
giving me the opportunity
to access real help
my new psychiatrist
is a marvel
i was so frightened to see him
and
incredibly relieved
after our first meeting
he listened to me
he didn’t dismiss how i felt
he spoke to me like an intelligent person
not
some pathetic loon
was asked pertintent questions
and
was interested in my replies
he displayed
empathy
and kindness
this dr have me options
I HAVE OPTIONS
he explained why he was offered certain drugs
what they could do for me
what the side effects might be
he cared what i thought
he accepted my reservations
and
allowed me the final decision
after much discussion
we decided on a new drug regime
one that i actually believe might help me
for the first time
someone is actively treating
insomnia
and
anxiety
as well as depression
everyone should have access to this kind of help
so often
the mentally ill
are
dismissed
and
short changed
this new dr
has given me hope
for that
i will be forever grateful.
