Long wait for psychiatric care?

Question

Are there any other options for someone who needs to see a psychiatrist, but the wait is 3+ months? I know the ER is an option, but that is pretty extreme for the situation. What else can be done? Is there anyway the hospital would "fit you in" for certain circumstances? And just to vent...isn't it sick that there is such a long wait?! People don't make psych appointments because things are going great...

Answer 1

if you phone the hospital and tell them you really can not cope with it all they will try and fit you in. a good thing is to phone every few days and see if anyone has canceled as you could have there appointment. I know its a long wait but remember things will get better and once you start to see the doctor you will be able to best get you in to see them. take care good luck

Answer 2

Yea, we live in a sad world. It's just as smart as that joke.. "Suicide Help Line ... Please Hold. " I hate that all my visits are 3 months apart and whenever i try and call them if some thing has happened I can never talk to someone.

I've done the ER route... twice... basically all they will do is have a Suicide Crisis Team or something similar and a couple DR.'s check you out and then decide whether or not you should be committed. Yeah not fun! But be forewarned if you do go to the ER you are classified as not urgent and you will get to wait for hours while those who have say a broken arm go in front of you. Not to mention the bill. You will pay out the NOSE! by going to the ER versus a Dr.

You say it is an extreme solution and I agree with my mom who works in a hospital ... More people in our area go to the ER for some thing little like a cough, than for those who truly need the emergency care. Which slows down the Dr.'s who should be helping those in true need not someone who could have waited to go see their primary Dr. Now I'm not saying you don't have a true need ... but evaluate the situation... Are you a threat to yourself and others right now? Or can you wait til morning and call the Dr. ?

My advice about the Dr. is that they always have room for emergency appointments, they just don't advertise it. Stress to them that you are having a difficult time NOW and that you need help NOW and that if they can't provide it ask them to refer you to someone who can. I hope this helps and good luck! :)

Answer 3

Depending on where you are. I know for a fact that if you want to self admit and not have to pay or pay as much in Los Angeles County, walk into any law enforcement agency or fire station and tell them that you need help. Tell them that you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else (preferably yourself). Even if they feel you are no threat they have to take you to a mental care facitlity to have you evaluated, just in case, because if they don't and you do they are liable so once you make the claim they have to follow through. The only problem with this is that you will have to stay for a 48 hr evaluation and if you insist on leaving early they can force you to stay on a 5150 hold. 5150's go on a permanent record and will show up on a background check, so make sure you stay for the evaluation. as far as paying tell them you are unemployed unless you have insurance. While you're there you have access to psychiatrist, counselors and who ever else you need to talk to for 48hrs straight or longer if you choose.
I am pretty sure every county is pretty much similar.

I know it's shady, but sometimes you have to take the backdoor to get in the house.

Answer 4

Thats a horrible wait!! I cant believe that they would make you wait so long! I got a referal from my GP to see a psych last week and called up to make the appt yesterday and got an appt for next week!! Im not sure what country you are in though, so I dont know if that makes a difference, maybe try calling around a few different psychs to see if you can get in any quicker?
The wait is pathetic though, mental health is a pretty serious thing!!
Feel better soon!

Answer 5

There is the option of going to a mental institution and getting a psychiatric evaluation. After the evaluation, if you need it, they will set you up with a psychiatrist. If you just need to vent you should try a psychologist. Psychaitrists are really just there to evaluate you and give you medication.

Answer 6

i know im going thru the same thing too. 2 months wait it is crazy all they are going to do is tell you to go to the er. you know everybody is going to see a psyc these days thats why i think it is such a long wait.

Answer 7

Yep, that is unfavorable. My mothers and fathers wanted my sister admitted for an eating illness - she grow to be on extremely some waiting lists for years (drug rehab, and cognitive behaviour clinical care). in the tip my mothers and fathers had to purchase the medicine for her and slowly wean her off them, because of the fact the clinical professional does no longer even prescribe something. and then she grow to be admitted to well-being facility because of the fact she grow to be very almost lifeless from the eating illness. Even then my mothers and fathers wanted her transferred to the interior of reach professional sanatorium, however the clinical professional stored telling her it grow to be finished which grow to be an outright lie. My mum had to maintain calling the area in question to ascertain it had a mattress available (which it continuously did) and then tell the clinical professional, and at last while my mum threatened to touch the MP and the papers, they transferred her to the particular sanatorium. the only way you will get clinical care is that in case you extremely attain the tip, or in case you threaten to take the project extra. I want you success and that i'm hoping you get the help you want quickly.

Answer 8

Try to see another psychiatrist or see your GP for medications in the mean time.

Answer 9

Maybe check out these sites, I have attached.

You are not alone.