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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 3 days ago | Replies (6299)Comment receiving replies
@youngsally
Good Morning,
It is my understanding that psychiatrists are used to manage psychotropic drugs.
Psychologists and social workers conduct the therapy part.
Since they are NOT medical doctors like the psychiatrist, they cannot write scripts.
You will do some talking with the psychiatrist, too.
The purpose of that is to help determine if your meds are the right dosage or even the correct medicine.
The psychiatrist tries to "match" up your behaviors and feelings from visit to visit.
That is why it is VERY IMPORTANT to be honest with the doctor and tell him/her everything.
Hope this is useful!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)
Replies to "@youngsally Good Morning, It is my understanding that psychiatrists are used to manage psychotropic drugs. Psychologists..."
Some psychiatrists include psychotherapy as an important part of their practice...but you are correct that it is not typical. Psychotherapists usually work with an MD or psychiatrist on a consult basis to write scrips (I'm lucky that my psychologist is married to my GP...so it's really convenient).
I had my second meeting with my psychiatrist today. First meeting was 90 minutes -- this one was 45....I guess I'm lucky - but it is also out of pocket. She is thinking she wants to have me try a very low dose of Lexapro now that the Effexor is gone...But -- she is going to speak with my therapist first because they don't fully agree on the diagnosis.
I feel really fortunate...but it's also a great thing about being in NYC....mental health professionals as far as the eye can see.
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Your observations have been correct for a long time but that has begun to change. There are a number of states that have begun allowing psychologists to prescribe medicines that heretofore would have been only allowed to MD or DO.