1. < Depression & Anxiety

Difficulty finding a Psychiatrist

Posted by doorman @doorman, Sep 3, 2019

I live in central New York. Finding a Psychiatrist has been a nightmare. Finding one that’s “in my health plan” means the nearest one is 2 hrs. away. Sometimes they are booked 3 months in advance. I’m going now to a Mental Health Clinic, where I see a Dr. once, and am promptly handed off to a Nurse Practitioner. The meds weren’t working, and I was voluntarily committed to a Psychiatric Ward in my local hospital. Where ANOTHER Psychiatrist prescribed a new med. Going back to the clinic after my hospitalization, I saw ANOTHER Psychiatrist. I have yet to see one more than once. What the heck? Is our mental health system THAT broken?

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elwooodsdad | @elwooodsdad | Sep 3, 2019

I fear the system is broken. Becoming established with any psychiatrist is difficult, and finding someone who works well with you is daunting. I have been fortunate, but the three month lead time is familiar. Perhaps the medication, from whichever source will help along with talk therapy. Sometimes it is easier to find a psychotherapist, and working with one might well address your issues. Sadly, we can only define the problem, then fashion a solution.

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mandrake70 | @mandrake70 | Sep 3, 2019

I'm in Rochester, NY and have had a nightmare with finding a good psychiatrist as well. My current one has screwed my prescriptions up so many times, cancels appointments, and changes a therapy session into a med check without telling me. I ended up going to get ketamine treatments on my own after he failed to do anything to really help my depression even though he kept saying he had a plan to help me. I really sympathize with your problem. My GP has said we really have a problem in the area with psychiatrists and has been doing all he can to help me.

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2 replies
doorman | @doorman | Sep 3, 2019
In reply to @mandrake70 "I'm in Rochester, NY and have had a nightmare with finding a good psychiatrist as well...." + (show)
@mandrake70

I'm in Rochester, NY and have had a nightmare with finding a good psychiatrist as well. My current one has screwed my prescriptions up so many times, cancels appointments, and changes a therapy session into a med check without telling me. I ended up going to get ketamine treatments on my own after he failed to do anything to really help my depression even though he kept saying he had a plan to help me. I really sympathize with your problem. My GP has said we really have a problem in the area with psychiatrists and has been doing all he can to help me.

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I had no idea it was this bad. Going today to switch from one clinic to another. Probably ONE MORE OVERWORKED, OVERWHELMED PSYCHIATRIST.

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Sep 3, 2019

@sandij @texasduchess @cdcc @amberpep @mrser52 @healthytoday may have somthing to add to this discussion on difficulty in finding a psychiatrist.

@mandrake70 - sorry to hear about the trouble finding the right help. How has your GP helped you during this process?

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1 reply
doorman | @doorman | Sep 3, 2019
In reply to @lisalucier "@sandij @texasduchess @cdcc @amberpep @mrser52 @healthytoday may have somthing to add to this discussion on difficulty..." + (show)
@lisalucier

@sandij @texasduchess @cdcc @amberpep @mrser52 @healthytoday may have somthing to add to this discussion on difficulty in finding a psychiatrist.

@mandrake70 - sorry to hear about the trouble finding the right help. How has your GP helped you during this process?

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Yes he did. He pointed me to the two clinics we have here in Ithaca. Still, I never seem to see the same one twice. I’m still looking. I’m thinking of going with a nurse practitioner who has prescriptive authority.

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1 reply
aarniek | @aarniek | Sep 4, 2019
In reply to @mandrake70 "I'm in Rochester, NY and have had a nightmare with finding a good psychiatrist as well...." + (show)
@mandrake70

I'm in Rochester, NY and have had a nightmare with finding a good psychiatrist as well. My current one has screwed my prescriptions up so many times, cancels appointments, and changes a therapy session into a med check without telling me. I ended up going to get ketamine treatments on my own after he failed to do anything to really help my depression even though he kept saying he had a plan to help me. I really sympathize with your problem. My GP has said we really have a problem in the area with psychiatrists and has been doing all he can to help me.

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Did the ketamine help as everything my 3 doctors have given me were a disaster ! Wondering if it may be a disaster too?

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marilcs | @marilcs | Sep 5, 2019
In reply to @doorman "Yes he did. He pointed me to the two clinics we have here in Ithaca. Still,..." + (show)
@doorman

Yes he did. He pointed me to the two clinics we have here in Ithaca. Still, I never seem to see the same one twice. I’m still looking. I’m thinking of going with a nurse practitioner who has prescriptive authority.

Jump to this post

Psychiatrists are in demand but I’ve found problems in a lot of areas of healthcare. It’s very sad but I’ve found Nurse Practioners to have more time and have been very supportive. I drive a little over an hour to see my psychiatrist but he’s in private practice so takes all the time you need. If you could find someone not associated with a Clinic you might have better luck. I’m sorry for what you’re going through. It’s frustrating when we need help.

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2 replies
doorman | @doorman | Sep 5, 2019
In reply to @marilcs "Psychiatrists are in demand but I’ve found problems in a lot of areas of healthcare. It’s..." + (show)
@marilcs

Psychiatrists are in demand but I’ve found problems in a lot of areas of healthcare. It’s very sad but I’ve found Nurse Practioners to have more time and have been very supportive. I drive a little over an hour to see my psychiatrist but he’s in private practice so takes all the time you need. If you could find someone not associated with a Clinic you might have better luck. I’m sorry for what you’re going through. It’s frustrating when we need help.

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Thank you for your concern. As a matter of fact,I’ve found a very good nurse practitioner, and have made an appt. for this month. Fingers crossed.

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mandrake70 | @mandrake70 | Sep 6, 2019

Hi Lisa and Aarniek,
He's just been very supportive. He hasn't prescribed any medication but he has helped me deal with the idiot that was treating me. I am no longer seeing that psychiatrist and will probably need to find another. Right now, I am not on any medication and just using the ketamine. I went back in for another treatment yesterday since the depression returned full force. It is supposed to take a day or two to start working so I am still dealing with it today. The ketamine has worked well for me for a few weeks. Supposedly, you will need to go in for treatments periodically though it will get farther and farther between them. My cousin hasn't been back for a year. No side effects so far. I was having trouble sleeping before and that hasn't gotten better. It's supposed to work for about 70% of the people that try. I was pretty lucky.

Doorman,
I'm glad you found someone to work with. I wish you the best.

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Sep 11, 2019
In reply to @marilcs "Psychiatrists are in demand but I’ve found problems in a lot of areas of healthcare. It’s..." + (show)
@marilcs

Psychiatrists are in demand but I’ve found problems in a lot of areas of healthcare. It’s very sad but I’ve found Nurse Practioners to have more time and have been very supportive. I drive a little over an hour to see my psychiatrist but he’s in private practice so takes all the time you need. If you could find someone not associated with a Clinic you might have better luck. I’m sorry for what you’re going through. It’s frustrating when we need help.

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Hi, @marilcs - how did you find the psychiatrist you are seeing? Did someone recommend or refer him? Did you try others first?

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