Did I do bad?

Question

I've been mtg with a psychologist to work through some issues, including possibly ADD/ADHD. But for meds, you need to see the psychiatrist, which I recently did. He rec'd seeing ANOTHER psychiatrist who's a specialist/expert in a certain kind of treatment.

I wondered if my original psychologist would be offended that the psychiatrist rec'd someone else and sort of played it out in my head, determining that I would not volunteer the information.

Well, lo and behold, the psychologist did indeed ask me what therapy the psychiatrist rec'd. When I told her, she asked if he also suggested a certain person to see about it. It was almost inevitable that she ask, upon reflection. So I told her the rec'd psychiatrist's name.

Now my original psychologist seems a tad hurt that I was rec'd to go to someone else, and she started asking questions about it admitting that she was "taken aback."

I don't believe in lying. But what should I have done differently? What would you have done?

Answer 1

Exactly what you did. As a professional, your psychologist should be more concerned about your health than her own ego. She knows perfectly well that she can't prescribe meds you may have to have and she has no business being taken aback by any course of treatment you require. Unless you have a very close relationship with her, you might want to consider finding another psychologist if she can't handle this.

Answer 2

I am a counselor and I specialize in certain types of treatment. ADD/HD is not one of them and I always reccomend referring my patients out to a specialist. Having said that, More often than not the patient prefers to stay with me because a relationship is more important to them, and then I always work on educating myself, getting consults from other specialists.

Finding a good therapist is like finding a great comfortable pair of shoes. All therapists are not going to fit and you sometimes have to try on a few. The fact that your therapist was taken aback and let you see how uncomfortable they were is a good sign that you should see someone else. Its the natue of the game.

I agree with the other poster when they said you can get other meds from your GP. But, a Pyschiatrist usually is quicker to write you a prescrption for a psychotropic drug.

Good luck,

Charley

Answer 3

You did it right, if she has a problem it's with the psychiatrist who refferred you, not you. Look at it this way, now she has the opportunity to ask the psychiatrist why he recommended someone else, and can deal with it on her own terms. If you had lied she may never have had that opportunity. In essence you did her a huge favor.

Answer 4

GG - Phil Connors here. I would have dropped her like a hot potato. It's not about her feelings or her trying to understand why you were referred to someone else. It's about helping you get healthy. By the way, a family practitioner can prescribe meds for treating ADD/ADHD. You don't need to get all tangled up with Psychologists and Psychiatrists with all their psycho-babel. Good luck - Phil.

Answer 5

Your psychologist is a professional and paid well for his/her professionalism. You sought a second opinion, got it. You did what you thought you needed to do. The problem that your psychologist has is theirs - not yours.

You didn't do bad. You are seeking treatment and wanted the best treatment you could get. Don't worry about it.

Answer 6

You did ok, I wouldn't lie about it either, and I would go with whoever you feel the most comfortable with, she never should have said she was 'taken back', she should have been more professional about things.

Answer 7

I'd try to clarify the situation! Using fewer words.

Answer 8

Ummm. You shouldn't have done anything differently. You're paying them to help you, it's about YOU getting better, not making them happy.

Answer 9

Go get you a Daiquiri!!!! You did what you felt was right!!!
Good luck and don't forget the Daiquiri! :)

Answer 10

it sounds like you're worrying about her problems more than she's worrying about yours. you are paying this lady, she's not paying you so don't worry about it.