Should I continue seeing my psychiatrist?

Question

I've had the same psychiatrist for 4years who diagnosed me with hypomania. I took lithobid and an antidepressent faithfully for 3 years. The medicine did not help me and I never really fit into the "hypomanic" signs and symptoms. I finally got off the meds for the last year and saw a psychologist instead. I realize now that I have anxiety that I learned to control through my psychologist. However, I still see the psychiatrist and he keeps telling me that I will never get better. He really wants me to keep taking the meds. Also, he told me that I should never take antidepressents without lithobid because I could have a mania (which I've never had). Then, last month he told me I SHOULD take an antidepressent to help me sleep. Apparently there's an anitdepressent out there that helps people sleep? This is really making no sense to me. Can anyone explain? Should I even keep seeing him since I was misdiagnosed and do not take medications anymore?

Answer 1

I'm a nurse. Getting a second opinion was a good idea. I wouldn't take the medication unless you truly find some truth in what he is saying to you, I don't think you agree with him. You are already on the right track to recovery. You are worth the best, and it seems like it to me your'e doing just that. Keep doing what your'e doing, you are fine.

Answer 2

Are you having or have you ever had difficulty sleeping?
Has not taking the antidepressant made a difference in your sleeping habits? If no to both questions, then you don't need an antidepressant. If you have sleep problems, there are other more effective meds for short term use. If you're happy with your psychologist and the psychiatrist misdiagnosed you and seems to be pressuring you to take a med you may not need, I say call his office and state that you're terminating his services as of now. You're under no obligation to continue seeing him.

Answer 3

There are antidepressents to help people sleep. Since you feel that you are misdiagnosed and do not take medications, ask for a different psychiatrist. Once you start taking medications, it's up to the psychiatrist to tell you when to stop taking them. Usually, it will not be abrupt. The dosage of your medication will slowly be lowered. Please take your medications if you don't want to end up in hospital.

Answer 4

See another Doctor. Medication is serious and sometimes lifelong for some people. If you feel you are doing OK with out them. See another Doc...Perhaps your current psychiatrist isn't a good fit for you. They aren't the Gods of the brain. You are the one that knows you best. Stick with that and a therapist to help you figure it out.

Answer 5

You are starting to think for yourself. Thousands of MDs got millions of people on Vioxx. It killed more Americans than the terrorists killed on 9/11. Site below has info on natural healing of mental issues from a psychiatrist including what your doctor may not tell you about depression.

Hearing that you will never get better is bad for your mental health. You can get better. You are not alive to be miserable but to be happy, IF and only if, it is important to you.

http://www.phifoundation.org/heal.html

Answer 6

I would never see a doctor who thinks recovery isn't an option for patients. The human body and mind are phenominal and so much is possible. A doctor should be realistic but also needs to understand that they don't know everything and there is always room for hope. I would get a different doctor.

Answer 7

It would seem that the psychologist has provided you with a great deal of help, and you have reason to trust him/her.
Tell your psychologist about your concerns, and ask for a referral to a psychiatrist they trust. Hopefully, you'll get the straight story from the referral.
Good luck.

Answer 8

If what your psychologist is telling you is working for you and you don't really trust your psychiatrist's opinion then stop seeing him and just stick with the psychologist.

Answer 9

if your pocket book is healthy enough i would suggest that you not discontinue your meds but look into alternative medicine.

the old folks used to cure people with herbs, roots, barks, flowers and such. i knew a nature-path who had a meter that exposed ones lack of vitamins, minerals and other things that the body needs to function at 100%. she also had ways to administer those remedies with fabulous results.

if your real problem lies in lacking simple vitamins, minerals or whatever wouldn't that be more simple to remedy?

Answer 10

No. I'd just find another doctor who knows what they're doing and can better explain the treatment to the patient.