Choosing a new psychiatrist

By Janet Sunday, May 06, 2012

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on Friday I received a letter from my psychiatrist who I have been a patient of since I was first diagnosed with schizoaffective illness in 1983 at the age of 23. I knew it was coming but was hoping that maybe he would change his mind.In the letter he sent he had enclosed a form to sign to have one's records sent to a new psychiatrist. I am writing at this time to ask if anyone could offer me some sound advice for picking a new a new psychiatrist. I did call my regulaar doctor's office on Friday to see if i could have my records transferred to him. The last time i saw my psychiatrist in March of this year he had mentioned my regular dr could prescribe my meds. When I called my regular dr the woman in medical records said i could have my records released but was not sure my regular dr would prescribe my meds.

I really am asking anyone on this site who has had to change doctors what advice they would offer to me. I would greatly appreciate any advice one could offer to me.

Thanks so much.

How to Communicate with Your Providers

Comments (3) | Add comment

Don Fraser

5/ 6/12 7:01pm

Hi Janet,

I changed doctors several years ago and it went very well. At the time, my psychiatrist that I was seeing did not let my parents sit in on my sessions.

This was an issue , so I switched. The transition was easy, my new psych -doc was better than my old and everything went perfectly.

I can understand being a bit leery of changing, though; after seeing the same doctor for so many years. I wouldn't worry about your G.P. handling your meds. Mine did for over a year. G.P.'s usually have good psychiatric knowledge as they deal with psych-meds all the time.

Every doctor has their own style. Wait a little while and find one that's a good fit for you.

Best Wishes

Don Fraser

Donna-1

5/ 6/12 7:38pm

My nurse practitioner had offered to handle my psych meds. I considered it, because her brother had schizophrenia and she was current on what was going on in the field. Fortunately I had not asked her to do it. Because next time, I went to see her and she was a total basket case -- her brother had overdosed and died and she felt responsible and she couldn't stop crying. The general practitioner she worked under soon let her go. My GP refuses to do the psych meds because she thinks I need a specialist for that. I still have the same pdoc I've been seeing since 1997. I don't always like his decisions, but I figure it would be that way with any doctor.

Your dilemma is different though. You HAVE to find another psychiatrist. Unless you have a friend who can give you the name of a good pdoc, you may as well see who is on your insurance list and pick the nearest one. Then at least you would have the advantage, perhaps, of not driving so far. If you don't like him or her, then you can change. It's kind of like trying to find a good therapist. Sometimes you have to try more than one. Remember, when they do your new patient evaluation, you are evaluating them, too.

Christina Bruni, Health Guide

5/12/12 10:26am

Hi Janet,

You can use the CastleConnolly directory to find a good doctor. You can ask someone you know and trust for a referral.

Write down on index cards the list of questions you want to ask the potential new pdoc to see how he or she responds and how you feel about how this doctor would approach your care.

Read my SharePost on the Top Ten Questions To Ask Your Doctor.

Try to assert yourself with your new doctor. If at all you feel the recommendations the new doctor makes are not sound advice or would be detrimental to you, speak up.

Ask your old doctor if you can still contact him, before he leaves, if he knows of a good psychiatrist he could recommend. That's an idea, too.

I would see a psychiatrist, not your primary care doctor, for your SZ treatment.

I found Dr. Altman because an ex-friend used to see him and she recommended him to me. I've seen him for nine years so far.

Regards,

Christina

Choosing a new psychiatrist

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