Bad Experience at Psychiatrist - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

ChanceFL · 05-30-2007, 02:24 PM

I just returned from my appointment with a new psychiatrist and I was wondering how everyone else feels with their doctor because my experience was horrible. She was so cold and rude to me and she wouldn't let me talk or ask questions because she kept interupting me like she was annoyed. She didn't really seem to care about what was going on either. Then she diagnosed me as having anxiety with some OCD and depression. I can't believe it because I feel much more OCD than anything else. Then, when it came time to talk about medication, she said that she will never prescribe benzos of any kind (her advice for getting through a panic attack was to stop thinking about it-if it were that simple we'd all be cured by now!), and she said absolutely no to Luvox. Then she actually asked me if I'd prefer Prozac or Lexapro (how would I know, she's the doctor?). I went with Lexapro because it's newer and she said it has less side effects.

Anyway, I left her office feeling worse than when I went in and minus $200. I felt horrified and cried the whole way home. I expected help and what I got was an unsympathetic person who treated me like a number. I see my psychologist tomorrow, and thankfully she is very nice, so I will talk to her about this. I decided to call my former psychiatrist and make an appointment with him even though he is 2 hours away, but I would rather make the drive than deal with this. Luckily, they squeezed me in for Friday.

Thanks for listening, everyone.

rosequartz · 05-30-2007, 02:30 PM

it sounds like you need a different psychiatrist.....don't go back if you're not comfortable with her.

Robin2007 · 05-30-2007, 04:10 PM

Actually it's interesting you mention this because I have wanted to start a topic about the same thing. I went to a psychiatrist who was supposed to specialize in OCD, we drove an hour and a half every month to see him. He could never remember what disorder I had even though he took a lot of notes and had his notes with him every session and he never actually tried to understand me. He would just ask me why I don't stop. And when I said it isn't that simple he asked, "Have you ever tried... NOT having OCD??" I could not believe it. I wanted to just lash out at him. I probably over reacted but what kind of question is that?? He also decided to take me off the first medication I was perscribed (Luvox) and did not give me anything else. He told me to deal with it. After five months he still wouldn't listen to my exact symptoms and told me I should just keep the disorder to myself because if people found out I have OCD they wouldn't hire me or let me into college. Needless to say I havent been back to him. I also went to a psychologist but she didn't ask me any questions about anything, every time I walked in she asked if I would play a game with her. After 8 sessions of War and candyland I decided I didn't need to waste my time playing games with her. I haven't been to see anyone else because of those experiences. Sorry this was so long.

Psychobabble · 05-30-2007, 04:43 PM

Wow! I am sorry that you all had these horrible experiences with psychiatrists and psychologists! It is amazing how out of touch psychiatrists seem to be with anxiety disorders...obviously, the ones you all are talking about don't seem to have ANY background into the psychology of these disorders. I cannot believe that they think that you can simply 'stop thinking about' or 'not have' OCD. That is ridiculous! Furthermore, it is absolutely absurd that they would even think that people with OCD cannot get into college, etc. People with OCD are some of the most intelligent, creative people out there! Any psychiatrist or psychologist who makes those kinds of arguments should seriously be thrown out of practice because what they are saying is just wrong.

I hope both of you find better professionals who will help you with overcoming OCD. It might take some looking, but they are out there. I would suggest finding psychologists who specialize in CBT as it is a proven method for treating OCD. As far as I know, War and Candyland have no effect on the treatment of OCD!

In the meantime, I am glad that this forum exists so that us OCDers have somewhere to turn when we are having hard times with it (and to vent about quack psychiatrists).

syradmb · 05-30-2007, 05:06 PM

I can't say my Psychiatrist is horrible I mean she's a nice person and she's willing to let me try any SSRI. She's a little hesistant on Benzo's though.

I think one major difference that I came to realize and I should also mention I work for an insurance company for mental health and substance abuse so I work with Psychiatrists/psychologists/social workers ect...all day, is there is a major difference between them all.

I know most of you know the differences but the Psychiatrist's main job is the medication stand point. Some of them maybe be nicer than others if you want to think of it that way and others may even "talk" to you more. But they are there for medication management. That's what they get billed for.

If you want someone to talk to and help you understand your illness and so on you really need to see a Psychologist or LMSW or someone along those lines. I figured this out too because I felt like I would go to my Psychiatrist tell her what I had (literally-- ok I have ocd here's why) and she would just go ok how's the panic? ok here's your med options. I was frustrated because Im like how is that helping me? I have OCD i need reassurance and she's not telling me im not crazy she's telling me not to mix xanax and luvox!

So basically we all need to keep that in mind. I myself see her on friday and will be getting a Psychologists referral because I too feel I need more that just what's my med options.

Still regardless I dont think they should make you feel upset or be rude to you and if that's the case find another one that will atleast listen and make you feel like a patient not a number.