Why is he doing this to me?

Question

I have been trying to switch my psychiatrist for the past two months? He has this superior attitude and gets on my nerves sometimes. I also feel bad most times after I've had a session with him. He always tells me that we have to do a close out session in order for me to switch doctors. I called the hospital administration and they said that I have to have a close out appointment with him in order to be transferred to a different doctor. However every time I go to see him he manages to manipulate me into keeping him as my doctor. I called him and he told me that most doctors aren't available for morning appointments like I need insinuating again that I should just keep him as my doctor since I've been seeing him for ten months. I really can't afford to not go to therapy. Should I just stay with him and try to find help at a different hospital since he is adamant about me not seeing any other doctor at the hospital where he works?

Answer 1

You should go in and say "this is the close out session" and keep saying it every 5 minutes if you need to. If after doing that he still doesn't consider it a close out session, go see his boss. If you get no satisfaction there, email the American Psychiatric Association which is the body overseeing Psychiatry in the US. Their email address is [e-mail]. If you live in another country, begin your close out meeting (as described above) by asking your Psychiatrist what the national body is that governs Psychiatry in your country and what their address is. He is required to provide this to you.

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Answer 2

You have every right to choice your doctor and what treatment you receive. It sounds like this doctor keeps making excuses to keep from losing a patient. I would contact the insurance comapany or whatever program you have and see what other options you have. It may be a pain to start all over again with someone else, but if you stay in this relationship w/ this doctor it is not benefical to you or your health. Until you find another doctor, I would not express any more concerns about these issues with him because it seems like it is a power struggle that he is using against you to make you stay. You end up feeling obligated and then are afraid of change because of what he keeps telling you. There is always a way out of something. I once heard from an employer that everyone is replaceable. What she falled to understand is that is was also replaceable. That is the same for a doctor as well. Don't let him mess up your treatment. Find another doctor and leave him fast.

Answer 3

RUN do not walk away from this doctor - If you are not comfortable with him it is only adding to your problems. Your medical records from his office can easily be transferred to another therapist, and I think I would get out of his building to find another doc. Doctors tend to stick together when in the same office. So look for another doctor within your insurance network (if you have one) and let them know if is imperative that you have a morning appointment.
But I must warn you, most doc's in this area ALWAYS have a superior attitude.......They need to let you know that they know whats best. I am in therapy now, and I do Like my doc, i would go a head and set up an appointment with another doctor (which will probably takes weeks if not months to find an opening) - once you get close to the NEW DOC appointment, tell him you want to close out your sessions, as you have found someone else you want to go to. YOU ARE STILL IN CONTROL of who you see. It is important you TRUST the doctor, because you don't need to worry needlessly about that.

Answer 4

Hi, I read and responded to your other post also. This situation is obviously causing you much distress. You need to change doctors as quickly as possible. You are not getting any benefit if you go into your sessions with such anxiety. Go to a close out session, but ensure yourself that you will not allow yourself to be manipulated into keeping this doctor. Even if it is just your presception that he is not the right psychiatrist for you that is all that matters. If what he says is true you may have to figure out how to work yourself into another doctors sessions. GOOD LUCK

Answer 5

It sounds like your therapist is being unethical. It is also extremely important for you to know that you are the one with the most power in this relationship, and your therapist is there to help you become empowered. You are well within your rights to change your psychiatrist. Others on this page are right, but you should have a closing session, it is proceedure, so insist your next appointment be a closing session. Do not worry about causing offence, you won't, sometimes personalities do not fit with each other. All good therapists accept that.

Answer 6

What a jerk! He shouldn't be running u like that. If you feel the need to switch (which I totally agree with) then stand your ground and if you must do a closing session then go in there and make him know that you don't like what he does to you and tell him to close with you. If he doesn't do that then there is a legal issue at hand. There are plently of other psychiotrists that are available in the morning so don't let that fool you! It's their job! Maybe he just wants to keep you because he knows he's gunna go out of business because nobody likes him! lol...so it's your choice but I would get out of there cause it sounds like he's not helping much. Plus even if u get into an arguement with him over leaving, you'll never have to see him again once u get out!

Good luck and hope everything turns out okay!

Answer 7

Wow That is wrong of him. Could you call the Secretary and cancel the appointment he gave you. Then call back and ask for a close out only visit only. I Actually I don't think you HAVE to have a "close out visit. Could just be their way of keeping you.

Call a new doctor and/or a new hospital. Never reschedule with the other guy. Check with your insurance carrier for new names.

Good luck I have been seeing the same guy for 15 years.

Answer 8

therapists, psychiatrists, etc, cannot force you to stay under their care, just like any other doctor. I've seen a few therapists int he past who are very understanding and tell me upfront that if I would feel more comfortable under another's care, they would even help get me a referral. DEMAND that you have a closing session at your next meeting. If that doesn't work, go to another hospital. While you are at it, file a complaint with the hospital.

Answer 9

You have some really good answer here and i agree with most of it. Just remember he is there to help you and get you better not worse so if he is making you worse he is not the right doc for you. I would go to the hospital admin with the problem and just explain the whole situation to them maybe they can count the last appointment with him as the close out. good luck.

Answer 10

He's saying it because (1) he wants the money, (2) he thinks he's the best, (3) he thinks the other doctor is going to screw up your thinking (4) he acting like an ***. Go to a different doctor if you want to, but if you stay>>don't make it seem like you're doing everything he commands you. Show him who's boss, or at least the one that makes the decisions!