I was just given Lexapro after 5 minutes in a Psych's office.

Question

I was given 3 different types of anti-depressants last year and couldn't take any due to the paranoia and anxiety they amplified. I just left a psych's office. He only talked to me for 5 minutes, gave me Lexapro and said I need group therapy. WTF? I am sick of doctors that don't listen to what you're saying. Yeah, I was upset, but I think he mistook that for depression instead of the aggravation and humiliation I was feeling. Now I'm really angry. I even told him I didn't want group therapy due to my panic attacks and anxiety and he said I needed to go anyway and shooed me out the door. Help!

Any input out there would be appreciated!

Answer 1

though it's not the same I went through a dramatic experience 5 years ago and was put on several anti-depressants at the same time.

I was given several different doctors to help me COPE with all that was happening. They all prescriped med's. But I finally found a therapist that was a counselor and helped talk about what was happening.

That was my "breaking" point and started healing.

Once we're able to verbalize what it is we're coping with and find someone that will listen to us and give us suggesttions on how to deal with life then we can take positive steps forward.

She helped me beyond belief and I'm forever blessed by her and she got me through the most difficult time in my life. The med's did nothing for me but caused symptoms that were further adding to the fear and anxiety that I had.

I am in no way encouraging anyone to discontinue their med's but for me being able to get that c**p out of my head and putting it in words to someone that cared enough to help, listen, encourage, build and strengthen who I was, was what I needed and I discontinued the med's.

Those doctors that want to write those scripts without actual counseling are worthless. Find a therapist that will give you what you need and most times it is talking about your life and given new ways or idea's on how to manage it.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Wow, you got 5 minutes!

Before I got my current doc, one guy came in reading my chart. I said I felt down. He declared me to be a little scrawy and said I looked like a smart girl, what would I like for prescriptions? The only psych drug I knew the name of was Klonopin, so I blurted it out. He said, that's a good one, wrote the script and left--without sitting down!

Then I just started taking the stuff and went through like a drunk fog for 2 months.

It does take time to get into a good psychiatrist's office. It is worth the wait if you can hang on. If I were you, I would not take the Lexapro and try, try again to find somebody who has time. Ending up on the wrong drug is way worse than none at all.

When I finally did make it in the door of the reputed best psych in my city (I would settle for nothing less at this point) the first thing I told him was my experience with previous doctotrs and that I truly wanted the correct help. He listened and with  a few different tries, got me on the right med. For me, it's Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin vs. Klonopin--completely opposite meds.

Ironically the best psych treatment I ever got was while living in Asia and having anxiety. I walked into the pharmacy, voiced my issue and was invited to sit on mat behind the counter for tea and snacks while I told the pharmacist exactly what sort of anxiety I had and when I felt it. He looked through a book, made a phone call to consult, gave me a helpful baggie of pills and invited to return if I need help, for about $10!

btw, it seems to me that Lexapro is being handed out like skittles these days. My husband mention a little anxiety to his work nurse, and they tried to get him on it. Uhhh...

Good luck!

Answer 3

If your uncomfortable with your psych, find another that better suits you. Try some out and see which fits the best. You can't expect to hit gold on the first dig, a lot of psychs are bad in the sense that they clearly dont care.

Answer 4

I had the same problem with my new psychiatrist last week.  He wouldn't even let me speak.  I would say one word and he would interrupt me.  The he took this as aggression (I have bipolar) and gave me a handful of Abilify samples, said I'll see you next week, and showed me right to the door.  And he had the nerve to say he doesn't offer any psychotherapy, his social worker does that, and that's extra.