Questions about a psychiatrist I've recently had the misfortune of being accosted by?

Question

My second visit was supposed to be Friday afternoon. I had the appointment paid for last Monday, and I have the receipt.

His nurse left a messege on Thursday informing me my appoinment was canceled, and I would have no way to contact him until Monday.

He has the flu.

My psychiatrist has no back up doctor.

I took my last Valium on Thursday evening, so I decided to go to the emerganct room to get enough Benzo's to last me until Monday.

I left three messeges on my psychiatrists nurses messege machine. They were a bit desperate, whining, and the last one informed her I had gotten my medication for now at the emergancy room, and walking that far had caked my feet in blood.

This MD is planning to retire soon, and is dropping clients left and right. I think the fact I am paying cash might be a bonus for me, but do you think he is going to drop me?

I have public speaking for the next three months in college, and take 30 mg of Vlium a day, and have for six months. Six months ago I cut my wrists due to stress over my finals. I was given a 96 hour hold, it's not the first 96 hour hold.

Anywho, what do you forsee happening tomorrow? I don't want a life of Benzo's, but I want to get through my public speaking, and am still recovering from my suicide attempt. I'm fragile right now. I know I need a new psychiatrist.

What do you predict will happen in the morning when I walk into his office?

Answer 1

Well, for a start I think that the people who are saying "you seem delusional" etc need to pack that sort of behaviour in.  They are NOT in a position to make that sort of outlandish, sweeping statement.

Obviously no-one on here is able to suggest what might be the deal with what will happen tomorrow, but it seems that you are obviously concerned that you are not going to be able to see or speak to your doctor tomorrow, and I understand that this is probably very stressful to you.  I would suggest that you look into cognitive behavioural therapy, in order to try to find more positive ways to think about situations, that are actually helpful to you, rather than assuming that a paranoid reason is the real reason for his behaviour.  Perhaps he really does have flu, and it was an unforeseen illness that could not be avoided.

I think that you would do well to try to not leave messages that are, in your words "whining", and trying to blackmail your psychiatric nurse into contacting you back by saying that "walking that far left your feet caked in blood" is going to be unsuccessful.  I work in mental health and learning disabilities, and we know better than to rise to what amounts to nothing more than an attempt at a guilt trip.  If your psychiatrist is not working out for you then perhaps looking for a new one wouldn't be such a bad idea anyway.  If your current psychiatrist is from the psychodynamic (Freud, Jung etc) school of thought, perhaps try someone who works from a cognitive, behavioural or humanist stance, or talk to him about cognitive behavioural therapy.  They will be able to give you strategies to help you cope with stressful events.

Try MoodGYM, and see if it helps you any.

http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome

Answer 2

Benzos, such as Vallium or Xanax are very dangerous drugs.

They have serious withdrawal symptoms. They have very serious effects while someone is on them.

I'm sorry you had a suicide attempt, glad you didn't succeed. You need therapy or self-help to get you over and through WHY you felt you needed to attempt suicide, to avert any more.

Benzos paradoxically are prescribed for anxiety, but they have anxiety as a side effect.

I predict that you will be accused of "drug seeking behavior" and watched more closely when you go back into this guy's office. And, it's true: Walking until your feet are caked in blood to get a drug is definitely desperation.

You need to find something else that works, and get off of the benzos SAFELY, with medical supervision. DO NOT JUST STOP TAKING THEM!

There are many psychiatrists and community mental health agencies that have a policy to never prescribe benzos, except as part of a program and plan to withdraw someone who comes to them already addicted to benzos.

Answer 3

I think it's time for you to take charge of yourself and stop being fragile.  A psychiatrist who hasn't managed to have you get a grip on life in six months isn't worth a hoot, but you and you alone are ultimately responsible for yourself.  Perhaps you need to be thankful for the life given to you and start visualizing yourself as person who is emotional strong and together in all ways.  Really, life is too short to be fragile and wounded all the time.

Answer 4

When you see him, can you discuss with him whether or not he is reducing his clients and whether it might be better for you to find a new Dr?  Because perhaps he can recommend someone, in fact I'm almost certain that if he is stopping seeing some people he's recommending someone to them, or at least offering some sort of follow on advice.  Don't be afraid, just ask him just as you said here: you need to know because you want to be settled with one so that you can focus on your finals and are concerned finding a new Dr is an extremely stressful prospect.  That's a perfectly legitimate way to feel.  

I'm sure his nurse has dealt with a lot of people becoming agitated before today so don't worry about the phone messages.  You did panic and it really wasn't his fault that he dropped your appointment at such short notice.  But life happens and we don't always react great to it when we're left swining!  Personally, I would feel obliged to apologize to her, just so I'd clear the air and because she didn't do anything and still caught my wrath in messages - but that's for you to decide.  

Answer 5

First, we have no way of knowing whether he'll drop you.  Second, how did he accost you if you didn't even see him?  Tell a lie like that and say goodbye.  I know you have an anxiety disorder, but you sound delusional, agitated, and at risk for self harm.  I think it's probable that he will have you placed on hold unless you calm down and start talking rationally.