psychiatrists

I've been having some issues with the psychiatric medications I'm currently taking that were prescribed by my psychiatrist. For example, lorazepam (Ativan) helps a lot with my anxiety, however, it makes me feel sleepy which is problematic since being alert during the day is important (especially with full-time college coming up soon for me). Then with antipsychotics, I need to take them but they also either seem to just knock me out and/or cause major weight gain (which is also unhelpful minus with my insomnia, but it causes extreme daytime drowsiness and I've also struggled with an eating disorder on and off for the past 11 years, so that can just trigger me to relapse into unhealthy eating habits).

I would ask my psychiatrist personally but he's very quick during appointments and basically just prescribes a pill then sends me on my way.

Anyways, to go back to the lorazepam/ativan issue, I also worry a bit about the addictive quality of that medication due to my addictive personality & tendencies both in the past and present.

But I don't know of a better alternative and I'm tight on money so (since most psychiatric medications are free in Ontario), my best option financially speaking is to take prescription psychiatric medications, since I don't have to pay for them. I'm on ODSP (Ontario long-term disability), so finances are extremely tight/I'm in poverty (note: I'm not being dramatic here, that is a genuine fact and you can look it up yourself if you don't believe me).

Anyways, basically my question is, how can I determine which psychiatric medications I should take when my psychiatrist isn't thorough or even borderline malpractices (and doesn't even give me drug info when giving me new prescriptions), and there's very long waitlists to get a new psychiatrist? Should I just call a pharmacist and see what they'd recommend maybe or should I not because psychiatric medications aren't necessarily their specialty (since that's what psychiatrists specialize in)?

I don't know what to do and I feel like my doctors don't either.

#MentalHealth #treatment #Doctors
#Psychiatry #Psychiatrists #Psychmeds #medications #MentalIllness #comorbidity #ADHD #Insomnia #SideEffects #comorbid #Anxiety #Mania

I’m fine and better without an antidepressant or all of the combos of antidepressants that I had tried.
I can’t even safely take antidepressants because they actually made me actively suicidal in my early 40’s.

But, I still have needed prescription sleeping pills to sleep even for 4 hours and I still have needed anxiety medication especially now while I watch my cat daughter, my only child, suffering most days and deteriorating from her very old age and her medication side effects for her scary hyperthyroid condition.

But, I can’t get a new doctor to take me as a patient, and obviously, I do need one still, but the doctor I have been going to repeatedly and unmistakably treats me horrible -demeaning-laughing in my face about my disabilities, so I obviously can’t put myself through that with him any longer.

And to make matters even worse - when my current sleeping pill and anxiety pill prescriptions run out, I have had fear instilled in me by multiple doctors and my pharmacist that I will experience unbearable withdrawal symptoms for a very long time since they are both controlled substances that I was put on since 2019. And not one doctor wants to do their job and even monitor me as I come off of these medications. #Doctors #Psychiatrists #MedicalProfessionals #TreatmentresistantDepression #CheckInWithMe #MajorDepression #ChronicDepression #MajorDepressiveDisorder #Insomnia #Anxiety

I'm writing a feature for a college assignment on how writers are more prone to mood disorders than most people and would love insights from psychologists, psychiatrists and writers (with mood disorders). I have prepared a set of questions for each. So, please reach out in case you're interested to help. This is super urgent!! You can also reach out to me on Instagram @pihunoxious. #MoodDisorders #BipolarDisorder #Writers  #psychologists  #Psychiatrists  #Depression #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #BPD  #help 

Hi! I hope all of you are well and safe wherever you are. Please continue to stay safe and healthy! 🙂

I’m having this issue which I’m not so sure is it transference or is it real. I am seeing my psychiatrist for around 6 years and I got to admit that I am very reliant on him. He is around my age, just a tad older than me. We share some same hobbies together and he shares some of his personal lifes with me. While I always share mine with his when I sees him.

But I keep telling myself, I got to keep it professional too. He is just a medical doctor and he is human after all. He doesn’t judge, but he listens. The way he looks at me, is really melting me into pieces.

I followed up with him yesterday and I have anxiety issues. Therefore, he took my BP and used a stethoscope to listen to my heartbeat. Oh ny oh my. He called his nurse in. He is so near me. He turned away when he is taking my heartbeat as I am looking straight. In any event, if I turned, it will be a kiss for sure.

And now, I just cant stop thinking of him. He is charming and he always look directly into my eyes when I speak to him.

Sigh. I need advise. Pleaseeee

OMG. I have to rant real quick because ooh I’m so mad on a Sat morning. Been seeing my psych for 1 yr + and all is well, I have insurance, I pay my bills, blah blah blah. Insurance is still in effect 100%, but there’s been a processing error. My appt is THIS MORNING. I get an email (FIRST NOTICE BYW) LAST NIGHT AT 7 PM informing me that I owe 300 bucks and have to pay it or my appts cancelled TOMORROW. (That it takes at least a month to get in with her to get meds and eval for new possible diagnosis). I text my psychiatrist when I see the email, explaining that it must be an insurance mistake and can I please keep my appt. Her response “front office lady will text you”. I hear nothing. Appt is at 11 am. I get a text from front office lady at 10:59 am , I shit you not, telling me no I cannot keep my appt. I call the number I was texted from only to be told I couldn’t have been emailed at 7pm bc no one was even working then. My voice raised and I was angry, but actually kept it together enough not to completely flip the fuck out. But woo. Moral of the story: can anyone recommend a psychiatrist in the hill country area of Texas?!
Thanks for listening❤️ I hope y’all’s days are starting better!

As psychiatrists we always ask about "sexual side effects" from medications. Sometimes we use words like "sex drive," or "ability to finish" as well as a few other vague clinical-sounding references to sexual function. However I wonder if we aren't capturing the data correctly with these questions.

What do you think are the best ways/questions doctors should ask to learn about a patient's sexual problems due to medicines?

#Depression #Anxiety   #Medication   #Psychiatrists

I didn’t know what anxiety meant when I was in high school. I didn’t even know it was a thing people experienced. I was too anxious to focus on my homework, too anxious to perform to my ability on tests, and too anxious to even share my feelings with friends. Man I needed this app as a young person.

Reading how supportive people are on here makes me feel optimistic for young people today. You guys are taking care of each other and I love it. As a young adult psychiatrist I’m in awe of you.

#Psychiatrists #Anxiety