My psych Dr. is kinda old, and he's always on vacation. i.e. he was not always there when i needed him. Now he said he is not accepting referral until 2007 and asked people not to leave msg in his answering machine except they are calling to change the appt. time. He is extremely professional, kind and experienced though. When I asked my GP, he reminded me that I may not like the new one i choose/he refers. So i am confused...what you think?
2006-10-13 11:53:02 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
oh, what are psychiatrists called "shrink"? What is the story behind it, if any?
2006-10-13 11:57:46 · update #1
Well, if you think about it, he has had a long life of dealing with other people's problems. Good psychiatrists (I have noticed) get to the point when they are older (and I mean like 60-70 years) where they are exhausted emotionally from all the craziness over the years and they feel that they deserve a break, but still feel that they owe it to other people to stick around and not retire and continue to provide their services.
I say that you should start seeing a new one, but continue seeing this guy...but change your appointments to longer periods of time in between...slowly, push his services out of your life and replaces them with the younger one. This way, you aren't hurtin' his feelings nor are you risking a completely new psychiatrist who you may absolutely hate. Good luck.
2006-10-13 12:59:12 · answer #1 · answered by Strives to be Something 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If your Dr. is "not there when you need him" that in itself is enough reason to get someone else. This has nothing to do with him being "extremely professional" they all are suppose to be professional. I have had a few psychiatrists in the past 13yrs and I have experienced ones that didn't even prescribe meds correctly, or they do not listen to what you have to say and just spend 5 mins writing out prescriptions.
Did your GP refer your psychiatrist?? Then he has a biased opinion.
I saw on a health show on TV to view yourself as a Consumer and the Doctors offer you service if they do not do a good job change the Doctor. Its like if you went to the cleaners and they kept on screwing up your clothes would you keep going back??
The bottom line is that you have to feel comfortable and be able to communicate with your Dr.
Many Blessings,
Good Luck
2006-10-13 12:11:34 · answer #2 · answered by Jen 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should only need a psychiatrist for your own well-being.
A psychiatrist should be providing for your well-being.
Your psychiatrist appears to be catering for his interests not yours.
You would be better served with an alternative and interested practitioner.
If your current psych moves,retires or dies you'll have to change in any case: do it now on your terms.
Go "doctor shopping" until you find a satisfying replacement: remember your well-being is the priority not misguided loyalty to a practitioner who regards you as an inconvenient revenue source.
You may want to review your choice of GP too if that type of indecisive, negative, unsupportive advice is typical of them.
2006-10-13 13:50:29 · answer #3 · answered by malancam55 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the theory (silly one) is that they are head-shrinkers - that's where the phrase comes from.
i'm sure your guy is professional but he isn't there for you in the way you need - so absolutely go for a new referral. you have nothing to lose as you're not really getting much from your current one. if you don't like the new one then change again - so what? this is too important and you have to be totally happy with the support you're getting. your emotional well-being is worth the very best. - go get some happy and good luck!
2006-10-13 12:03:59 · answer #4 · answered by soph 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, a psychiatrist is knowledgeable in psychological problems with all varieties. you may shop your comparable psychiatrist. the only reason you may want to work out yet another form of surgeon, is that in the event that they chanced on it become something actual extremely.
2016-10-19 08:41:35 · answer #5 · answered by goodknight 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like the doc is not meeting your needs and as one person above said, you are the employee and you employ him to get those needs met... he knows he's busy and not accepting calls, etc. you might want to consider asking him for a referral to a colleague and sharing why... he might give you a referral or he might even ask you how he can better meet your needs, ya never know :) no doc worth his salt should take that as an insult that you are asking for another name because your needs are not getting met as you would wish them to... a good doc would be concerned first with you getting your needs met and it would be a good exercise in assertiveness which would even make some docs proud of you for the effort
good luck :)
2006-10-13 15:20:20 · answer #6 · answered by dornalune 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you like him, and you are comfortable talking with him and you are not suicidal, I'd suggest staying with him.
If you are suicidal and you feel you need someone more responsive, explain this to him, and ask him if he can refer you to someone. If he truly is professional, he'll understand and either make himself more available or refer you.
If you are not comfortable with him for some reason, then I'd find someone else without a referral.
Remember, a psychiatrist or counselor is just an employee. If you are unhappy with their perfomance, fire them and hire someone else.
As far as a "shrink" goes: The term is a clipping of headshrinker, a US slang term that dates to 1950. It is based on a metaphor that evokes the image of a head-hunter who preserves shrunken heads. The idea is that a psychiatrist or psychoanalyst messes or screws with your head. (that's from http://www.wordorigins.org/wordors.htm)
2006-10-13 12:04:38 · answer #7 · answered by EvilBunny 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Perhaps he has a medical problem he would prefer not to share, find someone else if you want to then you could come back and see him. Some do seem very professional and serious a bit cold hearted even.
2006-10-13 12:52:05 · answer #8 · answered by SerahSpy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Psychiatrists tend to be self centered and spend very little time with their patients. It sounds as though this guy is getting ready for retirement and does not sound to be interested to much in his patients. It sounds like you had better start looking for a new one. If you don't like the next one go to another. Who knows you may like the next more then the one now.
2006-10-13 12:02:39 · answer #9 · answered by apes 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You need to get a new one. And so what if you don't like the new one then you try for another one until you get a good one. Trust me. I have gone before and when you have a doctor that works with you it's much bette for you
2006-10-13 12:22:19 · answer #10 · answered by lee 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋