Posted by JohnL on January 7, 2000, at 2:43:26
In reply to Finding a good psychiatrist, posted by Kristie on January 6, 2000, at 23:30:45
> I have been trying for several months and done a ton of research to no avail. I can't seem to find a decent doctor. I keep ending up with doctors that ask me what meds I want to take and at what doses. And who tell me eroneous information. Any suggestions anyone?
>
> I appreciate it immensely!Hi Kristie. This has to be the toughest all time question. Depending on where you live, finding a good doc can be frustrating. As you've obviously discovered. Me too.
I once wrote the Association of Psychiatrists in my state asking for a reference. They said if I'm not happy with the two I've already had, that I should look out of state! Can you imagine? They actually openly admitted I shouldn't even try looking in my state for a good doctor. Not even one of their own.
Strangely the best pharmacology expert I've seen was a regular GP in a small family clinic. Just as some people at this board are real whizzes with drugs, so too are some doctors who are not formally trained in psychiatry. Some GPs just have that special knack and enthusiasm with psychiatric treatments. Finding them is so hard though.
I've tried all kinds of things. Here are some ideas that worked for me. Call everyone in the yellow pages. Write a one page letter to every psychiatrist. Call hospitals and universities asking for references. There were two particularly good questions I have asked. 1)Who would you recommend to treat one of your own family members? 2)When you have an especially difficult case, who would you refer that person to? I found some psychiatrists were actually recommending to me that I contact so-and-so who is more qualified for my case.
It sounds like you've already been doing a lot of research. I don't know any other way. Make lots of calls. Write lots of letters. Ask a lot of questions. You never know where your journey will take you. But the more doors you bang on, the more likely one will lead to the desired destination. And keep in mind the possibility that the expert you're looking for might not even be a psychiatrist. Fingers crossed for you, JohnL.
poster:JohnL
thread:18256
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000101/msgs/18267.html